Squirt Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 Hi I plan on making a custom tank. The dimensions will be 40cmx30cmx25cm (LxWxH) in 5mm glass. I plan to have two braces at the top on each end 30cmx5cm. Would this tank be safe? And I just realized I have done this wrong. I ordered pieces 1@ 30x40 2@ 40x25 2@ 30x25 2@ 30x5 As I have been reading up on tanks the walls of the tank should be sitting on the base, so may have to change my order to 1@ 30x40 2@ 40x25 2@ 29x25(this is to compensate for the thickness if the glass?) 2@ 30x25 I understand you start with the base, then stick the front panel on, then sides, then back, then top braces. Using aquarium silicone. And using a heavy object to hold the glass vertical and masking tape to hold it all together? Any advice on tank making is appreciated Thanks in advance Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 I assume the last two pieces are 30cm x 25mm and I would not worry about them---they realy don't do much structurally on a tank that size--may help to locate the lid. Don't forget to allow for access for heater wire, airhose and filter pipes and wires. Place back, then ends, then front, then add fillet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted October 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 Does $98 sound like a lot for that glass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 Does $98 sound like a lot for that glass? Yes it is more than a new tank.. However if you have gone direct to a glassier it is probably reflective of what it actually costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted October 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 I went to a place I won't name names, but they say the supply glass. I will shop around and look for a glassier. Does anyone know of a cheaper glazier in Kapiti wellington region? Thanks Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 A problem is that the thicker glass like 10 or 12 mm is only used for big panels so it is possible to get larger pieces as offcuts. The thinner glass can be used for right down to very small sizes like louvres in a toilet window so they charge retail for everything. People who make tanks get a better deal because they take everything. It may be cheaper and better to pay a tank maker to make it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted October 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 Yeah, I was talking to a mate and I will see how much Port Nichillson (sp?) Glass will charge. Is 5mm safe for a tank this size? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 Yes as it is only 250 mm high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zayne Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 talk to Port Nicholson $98 seems a lot for a small tank like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkLB Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 How safe would this tank be? Hi, here's a link to an article with a glass thickness calculator. http://www.fnzas.org.nz/?p=1732 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueether Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 Here is the calculator http://www.fnzas.org.nz/?page_id=1529 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted October 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 So it got at rating of 11. So what's safe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueether Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 So it got at rating of 11. So what's safe? 2 or 3 would be the norm, 1 being failure is imminent. My 4ft in 10mm glass has a factor of about 2.7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted October 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 Thanks have I done this wrong? I stuck in 250 for height 400 for length and 5 for width Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#!CrunchBang Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 550 for height 1200 for length and 12 for width got me a rating of 5.19 :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 5mm is safe as because it is only 250mm high. The taller the tank, the more pressure there is on the joint at the bottom and the longer the tank the more flex there will be at the top. This sized tank would normally be built from 4 or 5 mm glass with no bracing and would be perfectly OK.I had three tanks of a similar size from 4mm that worked very well until shakey town started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 AH, but a tank with the right sized glass and correct bracing with a safety factor of 3.8 will survive the shaky-thing - unless it falls off its stand, gets hit by something else or isn't properly glued together... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 the cost of your glass is more than double what I paid Greg to make mine of similar dimensions, so yes would pay to check in with a tank maker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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