Glass cuts

Steve-O- · #1 10-13-2011, 12:50 AM

So i want to create my new tank before i do so just want to ask people who have built there own tanks about glass cuts.
I will be getting the glass company to cut it and drill but i will put it together with my jig i made for it.

My tank will be made from 1/4in glass

16H-20W-20L

so would my cuts be like this
Sides 19 1/2 W - 16H
Front & Back 20 x 16
Base 20 x 20

Now i know sitting on the base would make it 16 1/4 tall that is ok with me. But do i take off 1/4 of each side or is it like 1/4 and 1/16 for silicone

The Grizz · #2 10-13-2011, 12:56 AM

You dont want the sides sitting on top of the bottom piece of glass you want a floating bottom. If you want 20 x 20 ID you need sides to be 20 1/8 x 16 (+ thickness of bottom) front and back 20 1/8 (+2x thickness of sides) 16 (+thickness of base)

Steve-O- · #3 10-13-2011, 01:32 AM

Oh i was going from this site
http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/diy...iyaquarium.htm

Said to place your glass ontop where does the 1/8 come from just curious all new to me.

The Grizz · #4 10-13-2011, 01:44 AM

I read the whole thing & it said onto not on top. When putting say the back piece on you silicone the edge of the bottom pane, then align the back piece with it leaning back at an angle, as you bring them together you tilt the back piece upwards to make it 90 degrees to the bottom.

When you build a tank you want to have 1/16" of silicone in-between every piec of glass.

Steve-O- · #5 10-13-2011, 02:10 AM

hmm i saw this

Quote:

We have always constructed our aquariums with the two end pieces of glass fit inside of the back and front panes, and the front, back, and two side panels set on top of the bottom base pane of glass.

But thanks for your help i will do it the way you said.

Aquarium_Medics · #6 10-13-2011, 02:17 AM

I read it as the 4 sides are on top of the bottom also, However, I also agree with Grizz. Any tank i have taken apart to reseal, have had the bottom inside the side panes.

CherylMcKay · #7 10-18-2011, 04:01 AM

I would love to read your guide. I live up north and shipping is killing me but I want a bigger tank. Starting my research to see if this is the way to go.

StirCrazy · #8 10-18-2011, 04:52 AM

hmmm a weird things in this thread. first is if the bottom is floating then it is in shear and tension, unless the bottom is fully supported.. then like was mentioned you better have a good stand or something to make up any unevenness.

I have 4 tanks in the garage and I just went and checked them.. all 4 are built with the sides on the bottom, and the 25 I redid 4 years ago had the sides ontop of the bottom.

My 33 was the other way around but it had a plastic moulding that suported the bottom and the sides, but my custom made 94 gal had the same moulding but the sides were ontop of the bottom....

as long as you suport the tank properly for the method you use it doesn't matter which way you build it.

the shear strenght for the silicone we use far exceeds anything well ever subject it to. now maybe if you build extreamly tall tank it would be different but you would also be looking at more than silicone to support the bottom edge.

Steve