How much less stress does a shallow tank's walls take?

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

I've been pondering a large in diameter but very shallow cube tank.....say 48"x48"x12"H

[BeanAnimal]

The deeper the water, the more stress.

However, the longer the panel the more it will flex.... which in turn causes stress.

I will find the links.. but you can search google for aquarium glass thickness calculators. There are a few very good articles that go through all the math. Or you can skip them and just use the provided tables.

Bean

[sabodish]

pressure is a function of depth as you know...the pressure of water at a depth can be calculated by the unit weight of water x depth..so, for your 1' deep tank

(unit wt. of water) x (density) x (depth) = pressure

(62.4 lbs/ft3) x (1.023) x (1 foot) = 63.8 pounds/ft2 at the bottom of the tank

using this you can calculate things like glass thickness and knowing silicone strenghts you can calculate how thick of a silicone seam (contact area) you need at the bottom and sides.

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

wow...thanks guys!

Let me ask one question, what can tank builders do that a hobbyist can't when making a tank, as long as all required equipment is able to be used?

[BeanAnimal]

-or-

For those who are scratching their heads with the pounds/ft2, it is .433 PSI per foot of depth.

More than you EVER wanted to know...

http://www.fnzas.org.nz/articles/technical/glassthickness/
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/aquariumdiy/l/blcustomtank.htm