First Time Aquarium Build 1200x450x450 Advice

Good day all,

I need your expert assistance on the tank build.

I'm moving from a small 30L to 243L so I need to make sure its strong and will last.

I'm planning to build the 1200x450x450 tank but I don't know what material would be the best to use glass or Acrylic.

I have a small budget so would need a reliable cheap supplier to buy from. I'm based in Middelburg and the glass suppliers here is absurd with prices.

I will be using the Euro Brace to brace the tank should I do it for the top and the bottom?

Any assistance would be great.

Thanks all.

 

The tank that I recently purchased from the forum classifieds is 1220x450x470 (L x W x H). The bottom is 8mm and the sides and braces are 6mm. There are 5no. braces, 2no. 15mm braces along the length of the inside bottom of the tank front and back. 2no. 65mm braces on the top sides, and one 250mm wide brace on the top middle of the tank.

This tank was bought from petmasters by the previous owner, and it seems to be holding water.

 

So is the entire tank 6mm glass with just the 15mm braces? Sorry feels like a dumb question

 

Just as info. I use Horizon Aqua lights and the app has a build in glass thickness calculator. The results are below bor a tank without braces. Jaco's tank above uses thinner glass because it has braces. I would not use anything thinner than the info in the post above.

I know exactly how you feel. Been planning a 600-1000l self build and don't want braces, the cost is holding the project back seriously.

Good luck and please report back on the final cost of your project. It would be interesting to see.

 

All the sides are 6mm, the 15mm braces run parallel along the length of the tank at the bottom. One against the front glass and the other against the back.

There are 3 braces on top running front to back. Two on the sides and one large one in the middle.