Advise needed on tank build

Discussion in 'Anything DIY related' started by Jacques.Andre, Mar 22, 2016.

  1. Jacques.Andre

    Jacques.Andre

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    Hi guys

    As the Title states I am looking for some advise on a build

    I am going to build a 800Long x 450Wide x 700High Tank (housing 2 Discus)

    Okay so what I need help with is the Glass thickness and bracing of this tank.

    Any and all help will be appreciated.

    Thanks in advance

    Jacques
     
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  3. Pezulu

    Pezulu

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  4. OP
    Jacques.Andre

    Jacques.Andre

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    hmm Thanks

    It says 9mm glass.

    But I dont know if the calculator includes bracing?
     
  5. Pezulu

    Pezulu

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    It only shows what thickness glass to use, but that is a general guideline.
    Bracing is a good idea on any large tank.
     
  6. OP
    Jacques.Andre

    Jacques.Andre

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    I fully agree

    I am just wondering if I could get away with 8mm glass and top bracing.

    I know 700 is higher than average. But according to people I spoke to discus swims more vertically than horizontal Hence I want to build it 700 high.
     
  7. BadgerBadger

    BadgerBadger

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    If you building it that high then I'd go with AT LEAST 9mm glass with bracing. Remember the higher you make it the greater the water pressure volume at the bottom of the tank....

    Rather safe than sorry.... You don't want issues down the road, and then have to think back to this decision.
     
  8. OP
    Jacques.Andre

    Jacques.Andre

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    Hmm I see and I agree.

    So if I do 10mm Glass with Top bracing it should be fine?
     
  9. BadgerBadger

    BadgerBadger

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    I reckon it should be perfectly fine. Let's see if there are other opinions first.
     
  10. OP
    Jacques.Andre

    Jacques.Andre

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    just a pity 10mm glass is expensive lol
     
  11. RKali

    RKali I just want your wood..

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    I buy second hand 6ft tanks with 10 or 12mm glass and repurpose them for bigger tanks.. You often get bargains if say 1 panel is cracked..
     
  12. Chris_H

    Chris_H Discus for Life

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    Bracing keeps the tank together, glass thickness stops the glass from cracking when you go higher with the glass. My 700 high tank has 12mm glass. I feel safe with that.
     
  13. OP
    Jacques.Andre

    Jacques.Andre

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    Hi @Chris_H. Thanks for the input. I just got pricing on a 12mm base with all other panels 10mm for the lot it was R1500.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 2, 2016
  14. JaLu

    JaLu

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    I recently did a lot of shopping around on a new custom build tank. Many builders refuses to go less than 12mm thick for 60cm high and 16mm for 70cm high. It might be over the top but that's the general idea I got from them
     
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2016
  15. Pieter Henning

    Pieter Henning

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    Hi Jacgues.Andre.
    That is a good price but I would still use bracing. The only time I would not use bracing would be when the hight is less than 500mm and the length less than 1000mm.
     
  16. OP
    Jacques.Andre

    Jacques.Andre

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    Hi Pieter

    I will be adding Bracing to the top of the tank.
     
  17. eros111

    eros111

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    I would also have a double layer of glass in the bottom for extra bracing inside the tank
     
  18. Stalker

    Stalker

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    I've been building tanks for a few years. The bottom glass needs to be 16mm thick(2 off 8thk pannels siliconed together. 10 thick side panels must be used with 10thk bracining on all four sides at the top. Remember to add bracing at the bottom on all 4 sides as well. Because the tank is so high you must prevent the bottom glass to shear out. You probably ganna need to put 8x8 glass bracing in the 4 corners as well.
     
  19. OP
    Jacques.Andre

    Jacques.Andre

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    Hi @Stalker

    Sounds good to me.

    Just one problem... lol i dont know how to brace the bottom of the tank.... I'll look it up thank you.

    And if you say 8x8 Bracing in the corners do you mean from the bottom to the top?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 2, 2016
  20. Stalker

    Stalker

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    The bottom bracing must be 70mm wide x 10thk x the length. It must be in the all round the inside there your front and side panels is. It will provide a lot off support at the bottom. Most people neglect the bottom glass and bracing
     
  21. OP
    Jacques.Andre

    Jacques.Andre

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    Bracing.jpg
    Will the above bracing be fine for the bottom and top of the tank?

    Bracing.jpg
     

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