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02/24/2020, 09:43 PM | #1 |
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Glass bottom safety factor
Can someone please help me or point me in the right direction? I'm trying to calculate the thickness for a 3.8 safety factor on the bottom of a 28x28x17 aquarium. I'm using 0.5" glass for the sides and need to cut a 28x28 bottom but I don't know how thick the bottom needs to be. I've been looking on the interweb for over an hour now.
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02/24/2020, 09:52 PM | #2 |
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Finally found a calculator that says 8.5mm which would be 3/8" glass. I'd like to not have 55 gallons of water on the floor could anyone please reply? Does that sound right? I was going to do rimless if that makes a difference.
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02/26/2020, 08:40 AM | #4 |
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When in doubt and not being a seasoned builder I would error on the side of thicker.
Disclaimer: Most of my glass tank experience is with the old metaframe slate bottom tanks.
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Tank sizes, 2-10's a 55 and one that's about 500gal Current Tank Info: Interior decorating happening |
02/27/2020, 12:43 PM | #5 | |
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Quote:
Should be thick enough.. Calc I play w/ given your dimensions (17 is DEPTH right) would give 3/8" bottom a safety factor of 4.8... side glass needs to be only 6.4mm...283" thick. If you actually go 1/2 sides just do 1/2 bottom.. Or all 3/8" glass. l and width can't be equal thus the discrepancy ..and also rounded a bit. |
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02/27/2020, 02:25 PM | #6 |
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You want more than a 3.8 safety factor on a rimless tank..
Often they use near double (7-7.6) or more for rimless..
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02/27/2020, 03:40 PM | #7 | |||
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Quote:
AFAICT those calcs assume "free standing" i.e rimless.. 1/2 thick glass bottom on a 50gal tank..for a factor of 7+ btw. Quote:
Calc maker..and good discussion.. I have no problems w/ "overbuilding" anything..and would rarely settle for "minimum" thickness but don't see 3.6 as minimum.. You could check w/ Glasscages to see their glass thickness. They have a close tank size: Quote:
Last edited by oreo57; 02/27/2020 at 03:48 PM. |
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03/04/2020, 11:47 PM | #8 |
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The reason I'm using 1/2" glass for the sides is because it's scrap glass from another tank that broke. I just need a bottom and I have a tank.
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03/05/2020, 10:27 AM | #9 | |
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Using thinner glass for the bottom (regardless of safety factor) is just psychologically unacceptable.. 14.8 (sides) and 8.5 (bottom) safety factors for 1/2 all around.. 1/4" (6mm) ..nope 5/16" (8mm) It is not common in US. nope.. 3/8" (10mm) pick one 1/2" (12mm) pick one |
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03/10/2020, 01:39 AM | #10 |
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3/8 if supported, 1/2 if not supported.
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