Casting entire aquarium form glass instead of using panels?

Aquavaj · 08/24/2018, 02:27 PM

I've seen smaller tanks with the front and 2 sides as a single sheet of glass but never the entire tank. What are the problems with "casting" the entire tank compared to using individual panels?

Quantized · 08/30/2018, 12:33 PM

Probably just cost prohibitive - you need a new mold for each tank. Also, non-uniformities in the cast could make the tank unstable.

Gorgok · 08/30/2018, 09:03 PM

Unless you have the ... foundry? right next door or churn out your own glass, raw material costs will suck. Compared to ordering pallet loads of 20 x 48" and 20 x 24" sheets (or 40 x 48" if you cut your own sheets) to make 24 x 48 x 20" tanks you could maybe load up 4 on one pallet as cast (maybe only 2).

I don't think its any stronger (in fact i sort of imagine it being more brittle) to have an as cast tank than a glued together one.

rgulrich · 09/07/2018, 09:49 AM

A number of years ago while I was looking for a larger chunk of glass I stumbled across a company that produced molded glass aquariums - seamless at least for the front corners (remember when those were popular?) - but they also produced some unusual shapes and designs. I'm not really into naming vendors in public forums, but if you're interested drop me a PM and I'll send you a link to their website.
They used to publish videos of their construction process, moving to and from the oven, etc., but not sure if they still have those available online anywhere.
Oh, they aren't cheap, either.
Cheers,
Ray

08/24/2018, 02:27 PM	#1
Aquavaj Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 132	Casting entire aquarium form glass instead of using panels? I've seen smaller tanks with the front and 2 sides as a single sheet of glass but never the entire tank. What are the problems with "casting" the entire tank compared to using individual panels?

09/07/2018, 09:49 AM	#4
rgulrich greybeard Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: MD Posts: 893	A number of years ago while I was looking for a larger chunk of glass I stumbled across a company that produced molded glass aquariums - seamless at least for the front corners (remember when those were popular?) - but they also produced some unusual shapes and designs. I'm not really into naming vendors in public forums, but if you're interested drop me a PM and I'll send you a link to their website. They used to publish videos of their construction process, moving to and from the oven, etc., but not sure if they still have those available online anywhere. Oh, they aren't cheap, either. Cheers, Ray __________________ The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination. Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: 360 degree walk around 300 DD island–4 300W & 2 165W ViparSpectra, 4 Kessil A350W, 2 A360WE, 3 XF150, 1 XF250, 1 XF350 Gyre along with 2 PP40 and 2 IceCap 3K gyre for robust current. Basement 150 gallon RubberMaid sump, SKIMZ skimmer, DCP18000

08/30/2018, 12:33 PM	#2
Quantized Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: So Cal Posts: 36	Probably just cost prohibitive - you need a new mold for each tank. Also, non-uniformities in the cast could make the tank unstable.

08/30/2018, 09:03 PM	#3
Gorgok Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Cypress, Texas Posts: 1,904	Unless you have the ... foundry? right next door or churn out your own glass, raw material costs will suck. Compared to ordering pallet loads of 20 x 48" and 20 x 24" sheets (or 40 x 48" if you cut your own sheets) to make 24 x 48 x 20" tanks you could maybe load up 4 on one pallet as cast (maybe only 2). I don't think its any stronger (in fact i sort of imagine it being more brittle) to have an as cast tank than a glued together one.