36x36x24 rimless, braceless cube - glass thickness?

[naterealbig]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking at building a 36Lx36Wx24H (inches) rimless cube, with low iron glass on the front and sides. I have read several articles and seen several tables with recommendations on glass thickness, but none for my specific project. Has anyone built a rimless, low iron glass tank with these dimensions? I would love some recommendations on glass thickness. Thanks.

[Loverotties]

I'd go the same thickness of a manufactured one.

[ScruffyRubicon]

Originally Posted by Loverotties

I'd go the same thickness of a manufactured one.

Good answer! That will give you about a 135 gallon tank. I'd say 0.43 inch thickness minimum based off this website:

http://www.theaquatools.com/building-your-aquarium

[OneDummHikk]

1/2" minimum, 3/4" preferable. The thickness of the glass is directly related to the height of the glass. 24" tanks are typically 1/2" glass.

[crvz]

My 150 (60x24x24) is rimless with 3/4", I think you'd serve yourself well to do the same with the large footprint.

[naterealbig]

Love Rotties: I definitely agree with you, although if glass cages would tell me which glass thickness I need I wouldn't be asking the question. Really what I was looking for was some empirical data.

Scruffy: The calculator is helpful, but I would imagine the calculator makes the assumption that the tank will be braced. I have to fail safe here, and they don't specify that their calculations can be used for for a rimless aquarium.

Hikk & CRV: I think I'd have to agree with you, 3/4 in preferably.

Here is something interesting that I found though; My solana which is rimless and measures 20"x20"x20" is a mere 1/4 inch thick. Would there be a difference in thickness because I am using low iron glass? I have heard from some that it is weaker than normal (non low iron) glass. Any comments?

[OneDummHikk]

You may in fact be able to get away with 1/4". But, is it worth trying it? It may be the type of glass thats being used or something that Solano does to the tank. But, when you can make it 3/4" and not have to worry about it, to me it isn't worth taking the risk on 1/4 or 1/2"

[ScruffyRubicon]

Wasn't thinking about the rimless part earlier. Agreed that that website doesn't take that into account. I have two Solana's myself and they do seem a bit thin. I know of two that have failed. It might be worth calling Solana and asking them if there is a certain type of sealant/adhesive they use. It looks oddly like the type of sealant we use to seal aircraft antennas at work.

[naterealbig]

Hikk: I definitely wasn't thinking of going 1/4in on the tank, I was simply noting how thing the glass was in proportion to the tanks height. I think I'll just have to go with the 3/4in glass.

The thing is, the cut glass is so expensive at that thickness, I might as well buy the assembled tank from the big boys. I really appreciate everyone's help.

Nate

[OneDummHikk]

It may be a different kind of glass that Solana uses in order to be able to make it thinner. The one thing I missed was the rimless. Most 24" tall tanks are 1/2" but they typically have the rim. My 120 is 24" tall and is braceless but it isn't rimless.

You could call or email glasscages and tell them you are wondering about the glass thickness so that you could order some other accessories for it (magnetic scrapers, ph holders, etc.) to find out how thick the glass is they use.

[Fat Tony]

Low Iron doesn't have the strength that plate glass does. I would say that 1/2" would still be more than enough on a 3' tank. My 135 is only 3/8" thick

[Jadinop]

Your measurements are so close to the new Perfecto Deep dimension tank. Their 150 cube is 36 x 36 x 27. It won't be rimless but you can get the tank with starfire glass. Probably save you some bucks on going custom unless you are completely sold on a rimless tank.

http://www.marineland.com/sites/Mari...=3600&mid=3228

I believe the Solana uses tempered glass and that is why it is thinner than other tanks at similar heights. Most custom tank builders don't use tempered glass because it has to be cut to size and drilled first before being tempered. I would imagine most builders don't even have the equipment to do this.