Building a glass nano

[NWA-Planted]

So after much looking and reading etc, I started thinking about, why dont I build my own nano tank to the specifications I want? Like 18x10x8 or 12x12x12 or heck even like 24x24x10? endless possibility.

From what I have found 1/4" glass is sufficient for tanks 12" high or less. my question is at what point does bracing come into play? I am assuming that anything under 12" tall wont need any additional bracing?

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[NWA-Planted]

Erro?

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[HD Blazingwolf]

length of glass probably plays a roll as well when thickness is determined. i would not know for sure

[NWA-Planted]

I know the height limitations, as far as thickness, I am just wondering how do you know when to use cross bracing and your probably right has to do with length/ thickness, just wonder if there is like a calculator for it.

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[HD Blazingwolf]

cross bracing should not be necessary if the glass is thick enough.
and unless ur gona be building a bigger tank.
a nano should not need it

[zankotsu]

How are you building this tank? I'm interested in the process.

[Dany08fa]

i'm planning on building my next tank with 1/4" glass. I did some research and seems like people have made up to 55gal tanks with 1/4" glass and no reinforcements/additional bracing.

so 1/4" glass and making a tank 20gal or less as your first tank should be fine. i'm planning on making a 20gal long as y next project.

search "diy rimless tank" on google. i found step by step instructions along with detailed vids.

I've read people buy an ordinary 10gal tank from petco/petsmart and just take the black trimming off and they never had a problem.

[NWA-Planted]

Originally Posted by zankotsu

How are you building this tank? I'm interested in the process.

just getting the glass and siliconing away away lol.

Originally Posted by Dany08fa

i'm planning on building my next tank with 1/4" glass. I did some research and seems like people have made up to 55gal tanks with 1/4" glass and no reinforcements/additional bracing.

so 1/4" glass and making a tank 20gal or less as your first tank should be fine. i'm planning on making a 20gal long as y next project.

search "diy rimless tank" on google. i found step by step instructions along with detailed vids.

I've read people buy an ordinary 10gal tank from petco/petsmart and just take the black trimming off and they never had a problem.

55 gallon with 1/4 inch? thats scary... Well thats all dependent on height. Yea was reading through quite a few articles just none really seemed to comment on when cross bracing was or wasn't needed, but I feel safe as well that for nano purposes no worries.

Mentioned in another thread that a local glass shop can get high clarity glass locally for about 15 bucks per square foot.

Looking at building one 16x12x5-8 inches.

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[zankotsu]

Where did you get your glass from?

[DogFish]

I built this 41gl last year


There are websites that offer formulas for height & thickness. The stress points are 1/3 the way up from the bottom in the middle of the glass pane.

The longer the length of glass the more leverage the water pressure can exert. Hence the thicker the glass needs to be.

There are some length x pressure equations but to keep it simple it starts getting scary at 4' length.

Mine in 3/8" non-tempered glass length is 37" No detectible flex against a new metal ruler.

Cubes are stronger by design. With proper thickness no bracing should be need up to 24" wide.

[NWA-Planted]

Originally Posted by DogFish

I built this 41gl last year


There are websites that offer formulas for height & thickness. The stress points are 1/3 the way up from the bottom in the middle of the glass pane.

The longer the length of glass the more leverage the water pressure can exert. Hence the thicker the glass needs to be.

There are some length x pressure equations but to keep it simple it starts getting scary at 4' length.

Mine in 3/8" non-tempered glass length is 37" No detectible flex against a new metal ruler.

Cubes are stronger by design. With proper thickness no bracing should be need up to 24" wide.

very nice looking!

Did you lay a bead of silicone or just do the finger smear method?

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[tanks4allthefish]

This is an interesting thread. I have been toying with the idea of a small planted tank. I have been reading about Iwagumi and the ADA book from Amano and these styles are just amazing but the tanks that ADA sells are out of reach for me so building one is an interesting option I hadn't considered before. I will certainly subscribe to this thread to see how your project progresses.