Is tempered glass okay to use for an aquarium?

[toi_ss]

Yes i searched it before starting this thread but lots say yes lots say no. I'm using tempered glass because it's so much cheaper then buying local non tempered glass here in New Zealand. Glass thickness is 10mm on the bottom and 8mm sides. 200x100x36cm is the dimensions. The glass isn't heat soaked and i'm worried about the tank shattering as a rimless tank.

 

[KrisReef]

If it is flat it can be siliconed together.

Problem with tempered glass is that you can’t drill it. If you try it will explode into tiny pieces. You will have to use a siphon overflow and those are scary imo.

 

[toi_ss]

If it is flat it can be siliconed together.

Problem with tempered glass is that you can’t drill it. If you try it with explode into tiny pieces. You will have to use a siphon overflow and those are scary imo.

The piece I have on the side has a notch cut into it already, got it custom from the company that made the glass. It fits a 30 cm long weir, and im planning on an external overflow box - the bottom piece of the overflow box will be non tempered but everything else is (display tank, sump baffles, sump, external overflow except for bottom piece)

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

There are a lot of tanks in the wild with tempered glass, just @KrisReef said above, you just can't drill it.

 

[KrisReef]

The piece I have on the side has a notch cut into it already, got it custom from the company that made the glass. It fits a 30 cm long weir, and im planning on an external overflow box - the bottom piece of the overflow box will be non tempered but everything else is (display tank, sump baffles, sump, external overflow except for bottom piece)

Sounds like you have a good plan.

 

[14 foot reef]

With international platform, maybe helpful to send photos.

Glass starts out as plate glass then many holes and slots can be cut into it prior to the temporing process. All custom showers are drilled and cut prior to temporing.

Tempered is not a problem, I had a custom 12' x 24" x 24" drilled back and bottome for closed loop back in the 90's before i had the plates tempored. the tank ran for ten years perfectly

 

[toi_ss]

With international platform, maybe helpful to send photos.

Glass starts out as plate glass then many holes and slots can be cut into it prior to the temporing process. All custom showers are drilled and cut prior to temporing.

Tempered is not a problem, I had a custom 12' x 24" x 24" drilled back and bottome for closed loop back in the 90's before i had the plates tempored. the tank ran for ten years perfectly

Yeah i am aware of the manufacturing process of tempered glass. So you think I will be alright with a fully tempered tank even with exposed edges?

 

[14 foot reef]

Yeah i am aware of the manufacturing process of tempered glass. So you think I will be alright with a fully tempered tank even with exposed edges?

it all comes down to thickness length and height, tall you go the thicker the glass. Tempered is stronger, but marginally

 

[toi_ss]

it all comes down to thickness length and height, tall you go the thicker the glass. Tempered is stronger, but marginally

Yeah, i'm just meaning like about the edges of tempered glass as they are weaker then float glass and if they chip the whole pane just completely explodes.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Yeah, i'm just meaning like about the edges of tempered glass as they are weaker then float glass and if they chip the whole pane just completely explodes.

The edges are prone to damage from objects harder than the glass. So steel, ceramic, etc. there is a risk for sure but I assume you got pencil edges at least?

What size tank? I am not a fan of trinkets tanks for any reason but the tempered edges are not my greatest concern depending on size

 

[14 foot reef]

Yeah, i'm just meaning like about the edges of tempered glass as they are weaker then float glass and if they chip the whole pane just completely explodes.

Add euro brace plate glass with silicone. Problem solved and now 10 times as strong in the flex of the pains

 

[toi_ss]

The edges are prone to damage from objects harder than the glass. So steel, ceramic, etc. there is a risk for sure but I assume you got pencil edges at least?

What size tank? I am not a fan of trinkets tanks for any reason but the tempered edges are not my greatest concern depending on size

No, they are just raw edges - not polished or pencilled. The tank is 200x100x36cm (200 gallons) with 8mm sides and 10mm base panel. It's going to be rimless - constructed with the sides on top of the bottom panel and the front and back panels not on top of the bottom panel.

Edit: I'm just asking the company about pencil edges right now.

 

[GlassMunky]

Yes i searched it before starting this thread but lots say yes lots say no. I'm using tempered glass because it's so much cheaper then buying local non tempered glass here in New Zealand. Glass thickness is 10mm on the bottom and 8mm sides. 200x100x36cm is the dimensions. The glass isn't heat soaked and i'm worried about the tank shattering as a rimless tank.

Glass seems real thin to me.
Especially that 8mm side. 8mm glass bows and flexes real easy.
My tank is 19mm sides and 26mm bottom
183x76x61cm tank (72x30x24”)

 

[toi_ss]

Glass seems real thin to me.
Especially that 8mm side. 8mm glass bows and flexes real easy.
My tank is 19mm sides and 26mm bottom
183x76x61cm tank (72x30x24”)

It has a safety factor of 7 - the tank is only 36cm high

 

[BeanAnimal]

No, they are just raw edges - not polished or pencilled. The tank is 200x100x36cm (200 gallons) with 8mm sides and 10mm base panel. It's going to be rimless - constructed with the sides on top of the bottom panel and the front and back panels not on top of the bottom panel.

Edit: I'm just asking the company about pencil edges right now.

I would be concerned with raw tempered edges, as they are much more prone to damage. I am not where i can do the math but 8mm would (back of napkin) give you a safety factor above 4 for that length and depth. I would have to run some numbers to determine possible bowing.

 

[toi_ss]

I would be concerned with raw tempered edges, as they are much more prone to damage. I am not where i can do the math but 8mm would (back of napkin) give you a safety factor above 4 for that length and depth. I would have to run some numbers to determine possible bowing.

All the calculators I have used say 7 for my dimensions and glass thickness - also I'm going to get the glass flat edge polished

 

[BeanAnimal]

I see you posted while I was typing. If you are being told a safety factor of 7 I would not argue with it. I am not where I have the resources to do the math.

 

[toi_ss]

I see you posted while I was typing. If you are being told a safety factor of 7 I would not argue with it. I am not where I have the resources to do the math.

Yup, do you think constructing the aquarium the way im planning to - having side pieces between front and back pieces but on top of the bottom panel and having the front and back pieces not on the bottom panel is safe?

 

[14 foot reef]

is the tank complete or in the planning stages, I can't figure that part out from the thread ?

 

[toi_ss]

is the tank complete or in the planning stages, I can't figure that part out from the thread ?

In planning stages, glass is being manufactured currently - sorry for the confusion