Rimless tank

[Zebrasoma]

Im busy building a new tank with the following measurements - 1200L x 500W x 600H. All being 10mm. There is a full length divider going in 100mm fromm the back pane (also 10mm) and allowing a overflow height of 550mm. (like the redsea max tanks).

Question: Can i build this safely of 10mm glass without any bracing?

Thanks guys.

 

[carlosdeandrade]

Seems a bit thin. I would go 12mm. Here is tank safety calculator;

Calculate Aquarium Glass Thickness - Custom tanks are great investments | Aquarium Tools

 

[carlosdeandrade]

According to the calculator, to have a standard safety factor of 3.8, the thickness of the glass should be 12mm. At 10mm, you only have a factor of 2.8. If you take the water level around 550mm, you will need 11mm glass for a standard safety factor of 3.8.

 

[Nemos Janitor]

According to the calculator, to have a standard safety factor of 3.8, the thickness of the glass should be 12mm. At 10mm, you only have a factor of 2.8. If you take the water level around 550mm, you will need 11mm glass for a standard safety factor of 3.8.

Carlos, can you please explain the "standard safety factor".

 

[carlosdeandrade]

I quote reef maniac. Follow the link. He explains it best. Sure you know Keith, don't you build tanks?

 

[carlosdeandrade]

Safety Factor for Rimless tanks - Marine Aquariums South Africa

 

[Mekaeel]

Maybe drop your height a bit. Mine is 1.2 x550 x 550, 10mm starfire, water level at 500, no bracing with no bowing issues.
Older system was 1.2 x 800w x 500h No issues there either.

 

[Zebrasoma]

If i were to put a THIN brace on the front pane, what would be the thinnest? 50mm?

 

[Mekaeel]

If i were to put a THIN brace on the front pane, what would be the thinnest? 50mm?

You mean 5mm? To give you peace of mind, that IMO will work!

 

[Nemos Janitor]

OK lets cut the blab.

What is he safety standard.

It seems to be some sort of measure that is a myth or deterrent that some have to discourage DIY.

I still need to know what this safety factor is.

 

[Nemos Janitor]

If i were to put a THIN brace on the front pane, what would be the thinnest? 50mm?

Nearly 2 and great bit of inches lad.. whoever suggested that??....

 

[Zebrasoma]

Nearly 2 and great bit of inches lad.. whoever suggested that??....

I mean like in width, not thickness. LOL

 

[CameL]

@Nemos Janitor, i think it refers to the minimum safety rating an insurance company would insure. as far as i know an insurance company needs a safety factor of 3.8

 

[459b]

Talking about cutting the blab....If the measure is a myth, can you please explain how one determines the correct glass thickness.
A lot of your late night posts are written in some sort of code which confuses all of us. If you have something to say then speak up, not all of us want to spend hours trying to decipher cryptic messages.

 

[carlosdeandrade]

Well, the safety factor is a number that all good tank builders use in order to keep tanks from breaking under certain conditions.
The variability of the strength of glass due to limitations of the manufacturing process means a suitable safety factor must be used when calculating glass thickness. The factor commonly used is 3.8. While not a perfect guarantee, it will remove all risk bar that of damaged or very poor quality glass. The main damage that will cause failures is scratches and chips. Also a point load on the glass surface will cause it to fail. For this polystyrene or other soft under tank fillers are used to stop the point loading of sand and rocks.
Calculating Glass Thickness for Aquariums
The website above gives a great example on how to calculate the ratios used in constructing tanks.
I hope this is useful, even though the information might be somewhat confusing and detailed.
At the bottom of the site are three calculators available for your use, one even for your Excel program for your PC.

 

[carlosdeandrade]

deterrent that some have to discourage DIY.

Nothing wrong with DIY tanks and even building your own equipment, just discourage three hundred litres of salt water in ones lounge along with the loss of all live stock, and a very disillusioned reefer lost from this hobby of ours.

 

[Nemos Janitor]

Talking about cutting the blab....If the measure is a myth, can you please explain how one determines the correct glass thickness.
A lot of your late night posts are written in some sort of code which confuses all of us. If you have something to say then speak up, not all of us want to spend hours trying to decipher cryptic messages.

Well Carlos seems to understand the code.. David it is not code. Nothing is cryptic. You might understand the processes and take for granted certain issues. I try and get the reefer to ask questions to self, and seek the answers. I am sure many a reefer did a lot of research into the subject and learned a lot. It is about reefers understanding what is said on the forum. Too many take what is said for granted.

Whilst Carlos link is exactly what reefers need to understand. It is a little old, 2001 and there has been a lot of advancements in manufacturing processes.

 

[ty]

Following this thread

 

[Nemos Janitor]

Despite the nice link Carlos provided, I still want to know how this safety factor figure comes about. My question is not answered. To me it just seems to be a number plucked out of the sky.

Yes I know that calculators use a factor of 3.8. I want to know exactly why. I dont accept we all use it or it has been done for years. Prove to me why 3.8 is the best pie in the sky number.

 

[Nemos Janitor]

Ok did we understand this? How does it apply to our tanks?



Factor of safety - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia