glass question

[ninjazx777]

I want to build a rimless tank for some motoro sting rays. 6' long 4'wide. my question is how tall I can make it using 1/2" glass and keep it rimless?

[jeff@zina.com]

GARF calculator:

http://garf.org/tank/buildtank.asp

Jeff

[ninjazx777]

Thanks but that doesn't give thickness for a rimless tank

[SNAKEMANVET]

This is only a guess,if I was to building it I would think maybe 18'',but I would put euro braceing on the bottom.

[BrianOKC]

Ya I would think 18" too 24" would be a good guess

[whipsaw]

1/2" glass is usually good to about 30 inches deep. However with rimless you've got a potential bowing problem on that 6' side. The usual way around this is with some struts or support, but if you don't want any visible support I don't think the tank's going to be more than a foot deep... maybe. Even then I don't know if it'll hold.

I built a 5'x5'x32" tank out of 1/2" glass, and I fill tested it to the 30" mark before I put the top frame on. It held for a couple days, but I have no idea how long it would have lasted without the top frame. Maybe ten minutes, maybe forever. It has a solid bottom frame though, and isn't as long as what you're planning. I'd be pretty comfortable with a 4'x4'x30", mildly uncomfortable with a 5'x5'x30", and pretty spooked about a 4'x6'x30.

[JTL]

http://www.theaquatools.com/building-your-aquarium

Be sure to use at least a 5.5 safety factor. The height is more critical than the length. I know for a fact that 48x24x23 works with no deflection at 1/2" glass. In any event put euro bracing on the bottom (3/8x2 would be fine). The pressure is at the bottom and 1/2glass does not have a lot of surface area for adhesion.