Jazzzz
Fish Addict
what thickness 6mm ok for a 53"x12"x12" tank
does it need to be toughened
does it need to be toughened
Building A Tank What Thickness Glass Do I Need
- Thread starter Jazzzz
- Start date
kcharley
Fish Fanatic
Hi Jazz,
I suggest you google aquarium glass thickness. One link is http
/saltaquarium.about.com/cs/aquariumd...lcustomtank.htm. There are a number of factors that go into the decision that are explained on page 2. (Obviously, I am thinking of building one myself.)
My experience is limited so far having added a pane to a cracked aquarium. Based on that I would definitely go thicker than 6 mm if you are not bracing and even then I would be nervous. Basically the bracing adds a lot of strength. In my case, I added a thin pane inside of the cracked pane. I removed the top rim and added a brace. While the aquarium is holding water I am very nervous because of a mistake I made. I didn't seal the tops of the two panes together. Somehow water has gotten between the two panes and the thicker cracked pane has bowed out about a 1/16" and this is on a 20" pane. So definitely brace or go thicker on the glass. Two disadvantage to bracing is the brace gets in the way of surface circulation and is in the way when trying to net a fish. The circulation interference could be minimized by turning the brace horizontal or placed on top of the glass. On top does get in the way of a hood.
HTH. Good luck. It sounds like you are looking at a custom installation. I hope it turns out stunning.
Greg
I suggest you google aquarium glass thickness. One link is http
/saltaquarium.about.com/cs/aquariumd...lcustomtank.htm. There are a number of factors that go into the decision that are explained on page 2. (Obviously, I am thinking of building one myself.)My experience is limited so far having added a pane to a cracked aquarium. Based on that I would definitely go thicker than 6 mm if you are not bracing and even then I would be nervous. Basically the bracing adds a lot of strength. In my case, I added a thin pane inside of the cracked pane. I removed the top rim and added a brace. While the aquarium is holding water I am very nervous because of a mistake I made. I didn't seal the tops of the two panes together. Somehow water has gotten between the two panes and the thicker cracked pane has bowed out about a 1/16" and this is on a 20" pane. So definitely brace or go thicker on the glass. Two disadvantage to bracing is the brace gets in the way of surface circulation and is in the way when trying to net a fish. The circulation interference could be minimized by turning the brace horizontal or placed on top of the glass. On top does get in the way of a hood.
HTH. Good luck. It sounds like you are looking at a custom installation. I hope it turns out stunning.
Greg
rabbut
I don't bite, all that often...
This is only 12" deep. With bracing, 4mm would still be overkill. 6mm is good if you are a new tank builder, more margin for error 
On a 5ft length though, without bracing, you are going to need something nearer 8-10mm...
You can build in tempered if you like, but I'd advice against it. Nick tempered glass in the wrong place and the whole pain shatters, emptying the tanks contents onto the floor in seconds. Float will crack instead and give you a couple of minutes to rescue stock
All the best
Rabbut
On a 5ft length though, without bracing, you are going to need something nearer 8-10mm...You can build in tempered if you like, but I'd advice against it. Nick tempered glass in the wrong place and the whole pain shatters, emptying the tanks contents onto the floor in seconds. Float will crack instead and give you a couple of minutes to rescue stock
All the best
Rabbut
OP
OP
Jazzzz
Fish Addict
couldn't wait I bought one 
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