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danny zubot
04-16-2007, 06:45 PM
If I wanted to build a 36" x 36" x 22" aquarium what size glass should I use. Currently my 65 gallon which is 36x18x24" uses 3/8 glass. So could I use the same thickness if the one I want to build is only 22" high? Because of the lower head pressure? Or do I need a higher thickness because of the over all volume increase?

Thanks,

fishmaster
04-16-2007, 07:00 PM
If I wanted to build a 36" x 36" x 22" aquarium what size glass should I use. Currently my 65 gallon which is 36x18x24" uses 3/8 glass. So could I use the same thickness if the one I want to build is only 22" high? Because of the lower head pressure? Or do I need a higher thickness because of the over all volume increase?

Thanks,

As far as I've read, It goes by hight, not volume. Here's a link.
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/aquariumdiy/l/blcustomtank.htm
Hope this helps.

UnderWorldAquatics
04-16-2007, 10:55 PM
It does vary due to height, but thats only to a point... Im rusty on my tank calculations and dont feel like diggin up my books, but Id say 3/8" is close, me myself, I would go with a 11-12mm thats just under 1/2" for peace of mind :)

Psyire
04-16-2007, 11:28 PM
12mm - 1/2" is good for up to 26" high. If you go over 6' in length then things get somewhat more tricky due to deflection.

danny zubot
04-17-2007, 02:26 PM
Better to go with the thicker glass I guess, don't want any accidents. :wink: Thanks everyone.

kwirky
04-17-2007, 04:43 PM
i'd say 9 or 12mm sides and a 12 or 16mm bottom with a very strong sheet (3/4") of plywood underneath. Thicker glass also provides more surface area for the silicone, allowing a better margin of error in case one makes a boo-boo.

when you increase both your distance side to side and front to back, you need a thicker glass because even though there's head pressure pushing to the sides, there is still a lot of pressure going straight down. The sides are keeping the water in the tank, thus causing gravity to push all the water down.

better safe than sorry