There used to be a calculator where you could put in the size of the tank you wanted to build, etc. - and it would then tell you the minimum thickness of glass you needed, etc.
Anyone know where that is? Or?
Anyone know where that is? Or?
Glass thickness for size/number of gallons, etc. calculator...?
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CustomAquariums.com has a nice build section that provides glass thickness.
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Here’s the one I use, but there are a number of them out there:
www.easycalculation.com
Aquarium Glass Thickness Calculator
Given below is the online aquarium glass thickness calculator which helps you to calculate a volume of an aquarium, glass area, glass thickness, weight of glass and weight of water in a glass based on the length, width, height, and safety factor.
Aquarium Glass Thickness Calculator
The aquarium glass thickness calculator finds required aquarium thickness, volume, glass surface area, and weight for any given measurements.
www.omnicalculator.com
Keep in mind that bowing should be considered. For instance, the above calculator says a 48 x 24 x24 is ok with 1/2" glass. I had a tank that size and thickness and it bowed bad.
Odd . Most that give deflection stats say it shouldn't bow more than 0.5 mm.Aquarium Glass Thickness Calculator
The aquarium glass thickness calculator finds required aquarium thickness, volume, glass surface area, and weight for any given measurements.
Keep in mind that bowing should be considered. For instance, the above calculator says a 48 x 24 x24 is ok with 1/2" glass. I had a tank that size and thickness and it bowed bad.
I checked some vendors and one listed glass thickness on a 24" tank at approx. 3/4 not 1/2".
I checked another independent calculator and at 30" height ( height is what matters) they had 3/4" glass for the sides ( bottom thicker) but 30" is sig. deeper than 24"
Now not all glass is made equal.
That could be part of it.
Then again ...thicker than 1/2" bows >O.5 mm.
I'd expect some discrepancy but that is fairly large...
Ignoring tempered or low iron for the moment.
That said, being the paranoid type I'd probably eurobrace it anyways.
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With a safety factor of 4.2, the one I shared says 5/8 inch thick glass; the OmniCalculator one says 5/8" sides and 7/8" bottom with a safety factor of 3.8. The customaquariums link doesn't work for me.
These are minimum recommendations, though, and it may be wise to go larger if it's one of the first tanks you're making (so I'd personally go with 3/4", eurobrace it, and call it good).
Edit: to add, the one I shared still recommends 5/8" when given a safety factor of 3.8, so it does match the other one; the other one just recommends a thicker bottom to be safe.
Yea those calculators have been around for ages and nobody I know if has challenged the math.
My first thought was saltwater density vs freshwater.
Not sure if this is enough of a difference.
Anyways used the above...
Side glass.. .606" (15.4mm)
Bottom 21.3mm
Maximum Deflection 0.041 side, 0.03mm bottom
Safety factor 3.8
Changing depth to 24" (610mm)
sides,bottom
12.9, 17.9
0.38, 0.28
sf 3.8
Glass calc side glass math for the geeks..
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Who would be surprised if the quality of the glass is worse nowadays...raise your hand.
Fish Tank Glass Thickness Guide: What You Need To Know - Keep Aquarium
Fish tanks are beautiful. Whether they’re large tanks in the public aquariums or small aquariums in your neighbor’s living room, fish tanks always stand out. But have you ever wondered how its glass withstands the pressure of the water? There are many answers to this question, but generally, the...
www.keepaquarium.com
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Yeah, that link works.
OP
OP
That was really my main concern - the size of the Euro-brace...
3/4" glass all around - and a 3/4" single piece (hole cut out in the middle) 4" perimeter Euro-brace...
It appears that the big tank manufactures (Red Sea, Waterbox) put the Euro-brace inside the tank...
Isn't that a lot of weight for just some silicone to hold...?
Seems like it would be more appropriate to have the Euro-brace on the top and not inside...?
3/4" glass all around - and a 3/4" single piece (hole cut out in the middle) 4" perimeter Euro-brace...
It appears that the big tank manufactures (Red Sea, Waterbox) put the Euro-brace inside the tank...
Isn't that a lot of weight for just some silicone to hold...?
Seems like it would be more appropriate to have the Euro-brace on the top and not inside...?
Well don't hold me to this but in general tension strength is stronger than sheer strength.
Remember the old super super glue commercials where they picked the guy up wit a hard hat glued to something.
Strong right? Take a hammer and tap. the side of the hat and it will fall right off.
So I was told.
The silicone in between the glass panes vs the angular bead on the outside. Same thing.
- Glass is metric, so 1/2"=12mm, 3/8"=9mm (sometimes 10mm) and so on. Matters somewhat.
- A lot of calculators give minimum thickness for framed (not euro) aquariums with cross bracing. Eurobracing should go up a tick or two, rimless a few ticks.
- Calculators don't account for build quality.
- Weakest part of silicone that needs to be accounted for is peel strength. If it's not listed, it usually isn't worth using.
- Doesn't really matter where the euro goes. One piece is big $$$ time with a water jet though.
- Bottom will need a brace too unless thick enough with sides built around it.
- A lot of calculators give minimum thickness for framed (not euro) aquariums with cross bracing. Eurobracing should go up a tick or two, rimless a few ticks.
- Calculators don't account for build quality.
- Weakest part of silicone that needs to be accounted for is peel strength. If it's not listed, it usually isn't worth using.
- Doesn't really matter where the euro goes. One piece is big $$$ time with a water jet though.
- Bottom will need a brace too unless thick enough with sides built around it.
None of them refer to frames or braces. .https://www.omnicalculator.com/other/aquarium-glass-thickness
A center brace basically splits your tank into 2.
Measure any Petco braced tank and the glass will be thinner than any calculated " braceless" tank.
24*24*24 calculated to .34" side glass.
48*24*24 ....47 side glass
Again silicone sheer vs tensile strength matters.
And .
www.thesprucepets.com
A center brace basically splits your tank into 2.
Measure any Petco braced tank and the glass will be thinner than any calculated " braceless" tank.
24*24*24 calculated to .34" side glass.
48*24*24 ....47 side glass
Again silicone sheer vs tensile strength matters.
And .
Your Go-To Guide for Glass Aquarium Design
There are a few things that must be taken into consideration when designing a glass aquarium. Selecting the right glass thickness is the first concern.
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True, the calculator just spits out a number. It's on the builder to know what it means.
Look at the peel strength of silicones confident enough to list it. It's the weakest link and will be a problem before sheer or tensile. Build quality will be a problem before any of those.
The quote about eurobracing is nonsense, and the quote about crossbracing is overgeneralized to the point of also being nonsense.
Look at the peel strength of silicones confident enough to list it. It's the weakest link and will be a problem before sheer or tensile. Build quality will be a problem before any of those.
The quote about eurobracing is nonsense, and the quote about crossbracing is overgeneralized to the point of also being nonsense.
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