Display tank near billiard table... tank strength?

[jackdleach]

Hi, new here - kept freshwater tanks for years saying to myself I'd build a saltwater when I got a house.

So, the perfect spot in the house for the tank is parallel to a billiard table. If someone jumps a ball off the table by accident while playing and it hits the DP glass, I assume I'm screwed (it doesn't happen often, but once is all it would take).

Would anyone have recommendations on how I might go about this scenario? Obviously of a cue ball hit the tank, it'd give the tank life a hefty jolt, but chances are it will never happen (in the rare case a ball does jump, it'll be toward the back end of the table). I'm much more concerned about have 300 gallons of water suddenly on my floor ruining my house because the glass broke.

Does anyone know if there's a type of custom glass or treatment (or alternative material) that could be used where I could be reasonably confident that a cue strike would not break the tank?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts (and sorry if this is in the wrong forum: looked like the best spot but please move if need be)

[albano]

Thick acrylic

[on the spot]

Could also use an overlay while playing - foam sheathing would likely do fine.

store it under the cover when not playing.

[Ryan Darilek]

Either an acrylic tank which is pricey and will easily collect scratches over the years ... or dont even go down that road with glass. I think if you invest all the time and money into a saltwater tank, you'll want to be replacing the pool table with a couch anyways

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[jackdleach]

>> replacing the pool table <<

No Sir, not an option. Table is older than I am, and I've been dragging it around from apartment to apartment storing it in closets for last 15 years.

Tank will be in-wall. I'm moving the map to the opposite side, and can fit up to 66x44x48 without major reconstruction (or if I move the AC, I can fit the full 8ft length of the wall: haven't decided quite yet).

The other shot shows the opposite side of the wall: I can fit 44" depth main tank, and taking over the washroom for the plumbing and management area.

But the pool table stays

I'm actually wondering about a glass tank inset a tad from the flush of the wall, with an thin acrylic sheet between the wall and billiard table, with a quarter inch or so sealed gap between (that'd solve the issue with a protective sheet in front of the tank itself), but I'm unsure how that would effect the clarity of the display. I'd hate to do acrylic (two kids, and not replaceable once the system is up), but I simply can't do glass in that spot either...

Cheers

[jackdleach]

Forgot to add images, sorry

[Dsekula]

My tank is acrylic and in the pool room. As you said it's a rarity to jump a ball, but I feel safer with acrylic than glass.IMG_20190511_175239.jpg

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[Dsekula]

If also set it in the least likely spot to be hit that you can think of (that's how I ended with an odd corner build) foot side, not right behind pockets, etc.

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[Dsekula]

I would think your acrylic sheet idea would be good in theory but need some adjustments as you find flaws. If you do it I would make it easily removable since something will inevitably get between the layers and I'd probably have a spare acrylic done at the same time as the one your using so you can swap for cleaning and have a replacement if it gets really bad also use the other as a template to cut the new back up.

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[Sinn Sage]

Originally Posted by jackdleach

So, the perfect spot in the house for the tank is parallel to a billiard table.

[Sinn gazes into the crystal ball]

'I see.......I see a Stanley Steemer van in your driveway.'

[Dsekula]

Lol I wouldn't go with perfect, but if you plan it it can be done

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