DIY Small tank...how thick glass?

dirkgent001 · 10-23-2009, 03:18 AM

Hi All,

Haven't posted in a while. I'm considering trying my first DIY rimless tank build. I wanna make a tank approx 24"L x 10"W x 7" t, maybe 8" tall.

Question is this, how thick would the glass need to be and not bow?

I'm not familiar with the standard thicknesses glass comes in cept 1/8th which is too thin I'm sure, and then the way thicker stuff. Any help is appreciated.

Orlando

Stasiu · 10-23-2009, 05:12 AM

According to this aquarium glass calculator 1/8" glass would give you a very high saftey factor of atleast 7 if you go 8 inches high. Commercial tanks are built to a saftey rating of around 3 - 4. You have to convert everything to metric, but there's a convenient calculator right on the web site.

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

The height of the tank has the largest bearing on how thick the glass needs to be. You can buy glass in 1/16 inch increments. 3/16 and 1/4 inch glass isn't very expensive and would give you an incredibly safe tank. I believe the plate glass sold at Lowes is 1/8" and very cheap.

Stasiu · 10-23-2009, 05:19 AM

By the way, I wouldn't try to cut glass much thicker than 1/8 with the scribe glass cutters you can buy at home improvement stores. Make sure you get some glass to practice on too if you go that route. Lowes will cut glass panes from their store for you to your measurments.

WarDaddy · 10-23-2009, 12:46 PM

I highly suggest getting your glass cut at a local glass shop. They are reasonably priced, cut exactly what you want, and the best part, they finish the edges after they are done. that is big, not sharp edges to cut yourself on.

I made a 24x24x20 rimless cube and had a glass shop do it for me. The glass is 3/8 I believe cost me about $175 for the 5 panels. I have lowes cut glass in my sump (bubble trap) and I cut myself on it all the time... grrrrrr

dirkgent001 · 10-23-2009, 01:28 PM

Thanks for the info. very helpful!

10-23-2009, 03:18 AM	#1
dirkgent001 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 103	DIY Small tank...how thick glass? Hi All, Haven't posted in a while. I'm considering trying my first DIY rimless tank build. I wanna make a tank approx 24"L x 10"W x 7" t, maybe 8" tall. Question is this, how thick would the glass need to be and not bow? I'm not familiar with the standard thicknesses glass comes in cept 1/8th which is too thin I'm sure, and then the way thicker stuff. Any help is appreciated. Orlando

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10-23-2009, 05:12 AM	#2
Stasiu Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (14/100%) Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: OH Posts: 202	According to this aquarium glass calculator 1/8" glass would give you a very high saftey factor of atleast 7 if you go 8 inches high. Commercial tanks are built to a saftey rating of around 3 - 4. You have to convert everything to metric, but there's a convenient calculator right on the web site. http://www.theaquatools.com/building-your-aquarium The height of the tank has the largest bearing on how thick the glass needs to be. You can buy glass in 1/16 inch increments. 3/16 and 1/4 inch glass isn't very expensive and would give you an incredibly safe tank. I believe the plate glass sold at Lowes is 1/8" and very cheap.

10-23-2009, 05:19 AM	#3
Stasiu Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (14/100%) Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: OH Posts: 202	By the way, I wouldn't try to cut glass much thicker than 1/8 with the scribe glass cutters you can buy at home improvement stores. Make sure you get some glass to practice on too if you go that route. Lowes will cut glass panes from their store for you to your measurments.

10-23-2009, 12:46 PM	#4
WarDaddy Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 77	I highly suggest getting your glass cut at a local glass shop. They are reasonably priced, cut exactly what you want, and the best part, they finish the edges after they are done. that is big, not sharp edges to cut yourself on. I made a 24x24x20 rimless cube and had a glass shop do it for me. The glass is 3/8 I believe cost me about $175 for the 5 panels. I have lowes cut glass in my sump (bubble trap) and I cut myself on it all the time... grrrrrr

10-23-2009, 01:28 PM	#5
dirkgent001 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 103	Thanks for the info. very helpful!