glass thickness

[lilredwuck]

I have a broken 30 gallon tank, I was thinking about taking apart to use the glass for my 55 gallon sump. I know 1/4" glass is suggested, but would 3/16" thickness work for the baffles in the sump?

[uncleof6]

That is too thin, that thin stuff is too fragile, to mess with. It also makes thin seams..... weaker etc. Lots of things "work", the question is how worthwhile is it.

Jim

[lilredwuck]

I was just wondering as I used 1/8" glass for the overflows on my tank.

Free, vs $50. Though I would take a shot at it. what if it was for a smaller sump like a 29 gallon tank?

[uncleof6]

Doesn't matter what size the sump is. 1/8" glass for overflows bothers me even more. Often times free = something that is worth nothing.

Jim

[lilredwuck]

I figure it's all about water pressure on the glass. I don't see 1/8" glass breaking with a tiny amount of water pressure on it. The tank I was going to disassemble was a 24x12x24 3/16" thick glass that held water, so why wouldn't it work when it's going to be cut down to a 12x14 size, and have equal water pressure on both sides?

[uncleof6]

You are free to do whatever you wish. I just give the best advice I can, it is up to you whether you wish to follow it, or not. There is no such thing as equal water pressure on opposite sides of a baffle in a sump, if the water level is different, the pressure is different. Common sense. It is too fragile. You break it, it may cut you. What you save in glass, may cost you in stitches. Common sense. Like I said, lots of things work, but hopefully common sense wins

Jim

[coralnut99]

FWIW, I'll second what Jim has suggested here. One of the factors you're not considering is just the simple fact that 1/8" probably won't withstand the slightest bump with a piece of rock or a powerhead being moved about, while under pressure. Learned that one the hard way about 10 years ago.

[Flanders]

I was just wondering as I used 1/8" glass for the overflows on my tank.

Free, vs $50. Though I would take a shot at it. what if it was for a smaller sump like a 29 gallon tank?

$50? might want to shop around. the last time I got 1/4-inch glass cut for baffles I think they were $7 each.

[JTL]

+2 I cannot tell you how many times I have bumped the glass in my sump.

[RocketSurgeon]

You already have 1 broken tank. Don't set yourself up for 2! Listen to everyone's advice. They have nothing to gain whether you buy glass or not. They would like to see you succeed.