Long, narrow and low tank; glass thickness

[_erik_]

Hello!

I am currently working on modifying a pallet rack to use as a tank stand. On one level of the rack I would like to have a single long, narrow and low tank, aprox.10ft x 1,5ft x 1 ft 2in.
Since the dimensions on the planned tank is a bit unusual I am looking for some advice about how thick its glass should be.

According to online glass thickness calculators (safety factor 4) 6 mm (approx. 1/4") sides with 8mm (approx. 1/3") bottom glass is enough. Which seems a bit thin to me. I was thinking atleast 10mm (2/5") bottom and 8mm (1/3") sides.

Also, how would you guys brace the tank?

Advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[AR1]

jjohnwm Backfromthedead

 

[Backfromthedead]

Ive never built a tank quite like that but I would probably build it all out of 12mm, 1/2" and use some strips of 1/4" tempered glass to cap and brace the ends and the middle. Might not even need bracing at that height but i would still use something minimal like i described. These are essentially the same specs i used for my 60"x24"x18" sump that normally sits around 13-14" water level.

You could probably shop online for "18 inch glass shelf" and find some cheap pieces to use for the brace. Its possible you could get away with 10mm for the long side (10') walls but the difference in price probably not so much so i would just go with 12mm personally.

 

[_erik_]

Ive never built a tank quite like that but I would probably build it all out of 12mm, 1/2" and use some strips of 1/4" tempered glass to cap and brace the ends and the middle. Might not even need bracing at that height but i would still use something minimal like i described. These are essentially the same specs i used for my 60"x24"x18" sump that normally sits around 13-14" water level.

You could probably shop online for "18 inch glass shelf" and find some cheap pieces to use for the brace. Its possible you could get away with 10mm for the long side (10') walls but the difference in price probably not so much so i would just go with 12mm personally.

Alright, yeah thicker is always better! And I certainly want to be on the safe side.

If only using 10mm glass would 8x1,5x1 ft work? Found a nice deal on 10mm glass... and where I am located (Sweden) the price difference between 10 and 12mm is significant...

 

[jjohnwm]

The height of the tank is the determining factor; water pressure is the same at the bottom of any tank at a given depth, regardless of how large a surface area the tank has. Backfromthedead has made suggestions about bracing; I know I'd use it for peace of mind.

It isn't reasonable, IMHO, to always look for "the minimum that I can get away with" when building a tank...or at any other time, frankly. The thinner the glass, the smaller the contact area and the more critical it becomes that the silicon bead is absolutely perfect. Going from 10mm to 12mm glass increases that contact area by 20% all around the tank. Add to that the decreased chance of cracking a pane with a rock or something similar; everyone always frets about minimum thickness to withstand the water pressure; you rarely hear about glass panels broken by impacts...but it does happen.

I don't doubt that the cost increase is significant going from 10mm to 12mm, but you're building a 10-foot-long aquarium. It's not something to do on the cheap.

 

[FINWIN]

The height of the tank is the determining factor; water pressure is the same at the bottom of any tank at a given depth, regardless of how large a surface area the tank has. Backfromthedead has made suggestions about bracing; I know I'd use it for peace of mind.

It isn't reasonable, IMHO, to always look for "the minimum that I can get away with" when building a tank...or at any other time, frankly. The thinner the glass, the smaller the contact area and the more critical it becomes that the silicon bead is absolutely perfect. Going from 10mm to 12mm glass increases that contact area by 20% all around the tank. Add to that the decreased chance of cracking a pane with a rock or something similar; everyone always frets about minimum thickness to withstand the water pressure; you rarely hear about glass panels broken by impacts...but it does happen.

I don't doubt that the cost increase is significant going from 10mm to 12mm, but you're building a 10-foot-long aquarium. It's not something to do on the cheap.

Interesting. I always thought taller tanks had greater pressure at the bottom even at equal surface area than that of a shallower tank (reason for thicker walls). Maybe I'm misunderstanding the physics.

 

[troublesum]

Interesting. I always thought taller tanks had greater pressure at the bottom even at equal surface area than that of a shallower tank (reason for thicker walls). Maybe I'm misunderstanding the physics.

Yes Fin i always thought the same as its seems like its more pressure. plus i had a fish once that had bloat or a bad swim bladder and was told to lower the water level to take less pressure off the fish

 

[jjohnwm]

Interesting. I always thought taller tanks had greater pressure at the bottom even at equal surface area than that of a shallower tank (reason for thicker walls). Maybe I'm misunderstanding the physics.

They do! That was my point; a 12-inch tall tank has the same water pressure at the bottom regardless of how long and/or wide it may or may not be.

Making the tank 10 feet long doesn't change the requirement for glass thickness as far as pressure goes.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Alright, yeah thicker is always better! And I certainly want to be on the safe side.

If only using 10mm glass would 8x1,5x1 ft work? Found a nice deal on 10mm glass... and where I am located (Sweden) the price difference between 10 and 12mm is significant...

It would most likely be fine, just make sure to brace the ends and the middle section in a couple places. Are you gonna hang/mount equipment on the sides or on top? And is it really that sweet of a deal lol?

 

[_erik_]

It would most likely be fine, just make sure to brace the ends and the middle section in a couple places. Are you gonna hang/mount equipment on the sides or on top? And is it really that sweet of a deal lol?

Are we talking front-to-back bracing on sides/middle only or what is commonly refered to as "eurobracing"?

I dont plan on having any equipment mounted or hanging on the tank, lights and such will be mounted on the wall. Filters will either be canisters or a sump. Any obstruction frome a brace I am confident I can work around.

At the site that I bought glass from previously (at the time the cheapest by a pretty big margin) 12mm is slighty more than twice the price of 10mm glass
But I will look around some more and hopefully find better prices somewhere else!

The height of the tank is the determining factor; water pressure is the same at the bottom of any tank at a given depth, regardless of how large a surface area the tank has. Backfromthedead has made suggestions about bracing; I know I'd use it for peace of mind.

Indeed, while I was not very clear when asking about 10ft x 1,5ft x 1ft 2in VS 8ft x 1,5ft x 1ft I did actually shave off 2 inches from the height