Glass sizes for a 55

[ryconbb]

Does anyone happen to know the sizes of each piece of glass on a 55 gallon tank? I have ordered the frames and am wanting to cut the glass before they get here.

[DRRACING]

RYCONBB,

Check out this link. You can enter the dimensions and it well tell you the glass thickness and gallons held and the basics of how to build.

http://www.garf.org/Tank/BuildTank.asp

Hope this helps,
Bob

[DRRACING]

Also, this link lists standard size tanks...

http://www.storesonline.com/site/536849/page/112414

[GulfCoastDiscus]

Does anyone know where I can purchase the frame for building my own tank.

Thanks

Dan

[Smokey]

Howdey rycobb;
Your question; my answer - the frame will determine the size of the glass. and a bit of math figering!

My first question .. is .. why did you order a frame in the first place ??

The proper dimensins will be : take the thickness of glass and subtract "2x" the thickness __ for the length. for the bottom glass plate.

This is to technical for a general post. If your want; e-mail me and I will assist you; as much as necessary..

I reservive the right - "to post any e-mails"; which I may feel benifical to other members .

Smokey
ps .. for a fiftey five gallon -- 3/8" thick glass is acceptal.

Who will be the supplier of the glass??

[Jason]

its all in the way you engineer the tank

75gal, 8mm glass no problem ;D

36"x24"x20"

[Smokey]

Nice looking tank, there Jason. stong as borsh!!!

I have build tanks, using only 6 mil. thick glass...One meter x 40 cm x 40cm = 160 liters [ 43 gallons.] Safe and strong.

AND - yes - the top corner braces are necessary.

Smokey

[Jason]

that tank has more silicone than pamela anderson too!

[ronrca]

LOL! Pamela! Good one!

8mm glass! Wow! Pretty thick! No worries about that tank! ;)
Looks good!

[daninthesand]

I have four 50 gallon tanks made with 6 mil glass. (actually really 5.5 mil) 36x18x18. And only bracing in the middle. No problems for over a year.... ;)

Daniel

[Smokey]

wow - talk about pushing the limits. 5.5 ml glass at 36x18x18.!!
11,664 cubic inches. 50 us gallons or 190 liters. !!!

Well, proof is in Daniels fish room. It can be done.

Smokey

[daninthesand]

yah. thats what i thought too. but so far so good. i even had one tank filled for a while without any bracing at all. too scarry, so i glued a brace on.

Daniel

[Jason]

personaly I think tank manufacturers overdue it with the glass thickness for liability issues

[Rick_May]

I'm sure your right Jason, But I would also.

[shamsoo]

I had built 10 tanks size 72x24x24 with 8mm glass upto now no problems ;D

[ronrca]

Using thinner glass for building large tanks is a risk but not something that can not be done. Safety is a piece of mind. Id rather err on the thicker side than not. My wife's co-worker had a custom build 100G crack down the back. Luckily they had it in the basement. Better safe than sorry! Some of my 20G's are made out of 1/4"!

[Smokey]

Thats great to hear, shamsoo.

However: some of my personal expierences -

I had a 72 x 24 x 30 tall crack right down the centre - top to bottom. It was a factory built tank - out of 1/2". The 18" top centre brace silicone had let go !

I have also seen the after-effect of a 60 x 18 x 30" tall tank. After it had exploded. It was made from 3/8" thick glass. A fish had dislodged a rock, which struck the front glass, just the wrong way. There were shards of glass imbedded into a far wall..

I have had the bottom of a 48 x 18 x 24" tall factory tank crack. It was - 3/8: glass.

And the list goes on. I have repaired many a broken tanks, for clients, over the years. Everyone has a story.

MPO - be safe, be cautious, and do not let children play near a large tank. !!!.

Smokey

[daninthesand]

Smokey. I agree, and don't use a circularsaw near the front of any tank if the wood you are cutting has nails in it!

I always have to move the hard objects from near my fish tanks when the niece and nephew come over.... >:( lil' wipper snappers.

[Smokey]

Very good insight, Dan./

Heck .. i will not even let my friends go near my tanks with rings on! Let alone a beer bottle.,

At the shop, I have parents who tell their children not to touch the glass tanks. i look into the eyes of the child and say .. it is ok; as long as you wipe the glass afterwards. This cures most off them !!!

The rest seem to understand . i HAD ONE 3 YEAR OLD who loved to touch the tanks .. the fish did not responed,

So I showed him my trick. With the finger nail . I taped the glass ; "THREE TIMES" - all the fish swam towards the front of the tank,\. The child was AMAZED !!! Tap three times and feed the fish .. The fish learn . quickley!!!

Immediately the youth tapped on each tank three time .. much to his amusment and his mothers joy. Problem solved.

I still hand out wipe towels to the others.

BTW - the tanks are bullet proof. I have not broken one yet !!!!!!! Which is saying a lot .. the bull - in - china- shop fellow

Smokey