Caryl Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 I am looking to get a 6ft x 2 x 2 tank built (I think that is 1.8m x 60cm x 60cm). What thickness of glass should I use? I have looked at Warren's glass thickness calculator (all of which went over my head) and think 10mm thickness gives me a safety factor of 2.4 and 12mm will be 3.4. Ideally the safety factor should be 3.8 apparently but that is optimum. How low can the factor be before average safety is compromised? Is 10mm and 2.4 OK? If you have a tank this size, what thickness is the glass on yours? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 I would say 12mm base - thicker the better and 10mm sides, 12mm off cuts for bracing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 Our 6 foot tank is 12mm base with 10mm sides and it has euro bracing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32GOTMLK Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 think the highest you can go in 10mm is 600 so that should be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 Yeah, 10mm should be ok. 12mm would be better, but I bet it would be about 4 times the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suphew Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 What sort of bracing are you planning on? My tank is a similar size, little bit shorter but a little bigger on the shorter sides, I just measured it and it is 10mm glass and euro braced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 will look in the Glass Merchants Assoc tomorrow and get back to you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted September 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 Many thanks to all. I think the Euro bracing is the way to go, assuming it is what I think it is :roll: So far I have been quoted $639.95 and $990. One glazier said they couldn't do it as they don't have the thicker glass in that size and it would be too expensive to cut a sheet. Waiting for a third quote. The original quote is my preference (not because it is cheapest) as I know the guy and have seen his tanks. They are great. Trouble is he is in ChCh so I was also looking locally. Looks like a road trip coming up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwiplymouth Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 Many thanks to all. I think the Euro bracing is the way to go, assuming it is what I think it is :roll: So far I have been quoted $639.95 and $990. One glazier said they couldn't do it as they don't have the thicker glass in that size and it would be too expensive to cut a sheet. Waiting for a third quote. The original quote is my preference (not because it is cheapest) as I know the guy and have seen his tanks. They are great. Trouble is he is in ChCh so I was also looking locally. Looks like a road trip coming up! If you are talking about Tim, his tanks are great (I have quite a few of his) but be prepared for a long wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32GOTMLK Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 yeah if ur talking about Tim hes great he made my 6 x 2 x 2.5 foot high tank :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted September 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 Yes I am His broken leg is going to slow him down even further but I am not in a hurry so it doesn't matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 10mm all round seems to be pretty common for tanks that size. My 6x2.5x2' tank is made from 10mm. I think if its supported well it should be fine, maybe go for a thicker base if you intend on filling it up with a big pile of rocks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 Yes I am His broken leg is going to slow him down even further but I am not in a hurry so it doesn't matter. did you have to break his leg to get the cheaper quote? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted September 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 Ssshhhh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 Ha! And you guys thought I was bad with a mere pointy stick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 the Glass merchants assoc recomends a base of 15mm and sides(long) of 12mm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 I know they're the experts, but I've never seen suck a heavily built tank of that size, and IMO its completely overkill. Theory and reality are often two different things, I've seen much larger tanks built from 10-12mm glass that have lasted for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 correct David I agree with over kill as I have seen many kids badly cut by tanks with less strength You are right though in that tanks made from far less may well be great for many years but they are under stress all the time and therefore they take less to break. When they do break the force of water creates missiles of the broken glass and the damage to flesh can be bad. Simply put, its up to the person buying to be happy with the risk factor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 the glass association recommendation would be perfect for public areas and would take most common knocks etc, so would be the ultimate for insurance purposes we do get away with less for many years in normal situations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 the recomendations dont make a difference in this case Mark you are also correct with what we can get away with When young and stupid, we could get away with being drunk and driving many years ago My wife dives at 55 to 60 and gets away with it.... untill today when she has got a ticket for 58km still not the correct thing to do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted September 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 Latest quote recommends 12mm all over and $1473.19 I think I prefer the original quote, which I assume is for 10mm glass :roll: I agree with Livingart here, for the average home (the tank is not in an area with constant foot traffic anywhere near) less than the recommended will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwiplymouth Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 Latest quote recommends 12mm all over and $1473.19 . Hmmm. Thats a bit steep. Tim made my 700mm high 8 footer from 12mm for not much more than that. Just about to leave for blenheim, see you tomorrow in the whangamoas are closed by snow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32GOTMLK Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 my 2.5 foot high 6 footer made from 12mm cost less than that lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc360 Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 Someone on this site quoted me under 500 for a new tank just like that. He is in Auckland though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 Thats about 3/4 what my entire 6'x2.5'x2' set up (tank, stand, sump, pump, media, and 2 300W jagers) cost!! If those are the prices you're being quoted it would be worth contacting Greg/Tanks2U and HFF to get quotes including delivery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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