Glass thickness calculator

[npain316]

Is there a "rule of thumb" for dermining this for a RIMLESS tank?

 

Everything that I've found is for standard tanks.

 

FYI, I'm think about a tank with demension of 30x30x18.

 

Thanks.

[seabass]

It should have thicker glass to prevent bowing (which causes more stress on the seams). Think about using starphire glass (at least for the front) as the thicker the glass, the more tinted it will be. Check out manufactured tanks to compare against, but I'd probably go with 1/2" glass.

[GokesReef]

When calculating thickness of glass, I'd probably use a ruler.

 

Oh.. wait.. that's not what you meant, it is?

[npain316]

Thanks Seabass.

I was planning on going with starphire for sure.

A local tank manufacture quoted me for 3/8" and 1/2". After further considering it, I think the $45 more he quoted me for 1/2" is worth the piece of mind.

 

As a side note. Another LFS quoted me almost $800 (almost $300 more) for an identical tank but in acrylic. Is this the norm?

[nibor]

I just ran the numbers on those dimensions,

 

For a 30 x 30 x 18 inch simple (rimless) aquarium:

 

Using 3/8 inch glass, the safety factor is 5.7 and the maximum deflection of the glass is 0.00748 inch.

 

Using 1/2 inch glass, the safety factor is 10.13 and the maximum deflection of the glass is 0.00315 inch.

 

This is calculated using the lower end of the strength range quoted by Pilkington glass for clear float glass.

 

Either will do. PM me your email and I'll send you the calculator if you want (it's an Excel Spreadsheet). It's all in millimeters so you will have to convert to inches (25.4mm = 1 inch) but it's really easy to use.

[nibor]

PM/Mail sent.

[paradisecove]

PM/Mail sent.

[Jerfrog]

anyone know anything about a 36x36x15 glass aquarium? Ive been researching acrylic but not so much glass

[alex1237]

Check this out.

 

I cant' take credit and regret that I don't remember where I came across this calculator.

AquaCalc.zip