Reply With QuoteI do not think it is about the tank's thickness. Rather, it is about your cabinet - whether it can take the weight. I believe it should as long as it fits the tank.
Am planning to rescape my tank using rocks. My 3 footer is 2 feet high so I think I'll need a few taller rocks. Any max weight I should consider for the rocks with glass thickness of 10 mm? Not worry about cabinet's ability to withstand weight but more about the glass tank. Thanks.
I do not think it is about the tank's thickness. Rather, it is about your cabinet - whether it can take the weight. I believe it should as long as it fits the tank.
Holy is the Lord, God Almighty ! The Earth is filled with His Glory !
90 x 50 x 50 cm tank: Eheim 2217; ANS CO2 Solenoid with 60mm intense bazooka; Zetlight 6400; Teco 500 Chiller; Borneo Wild Steel inlet/outlet
Ferts: Dry Mixture/Dr Mallicks. Temp: 26 degrees Substrate: ADA Amazonia
Rocks will displace water so the increase in total weight usually wouldn't be too great (depending on the density of the rocks though, solid rocks heavier, porous lava rocks lighter)... unless the entire tank is stuffed full of really high density rocks and you have a flimsy cabinet, then you better double-check its max. load from the cabinet maker.
The main issue when using heavy rocks in tanks is their weight distribution, very often most of the weight is concentrated on a few sharp points at the base of the rocks so those points create potentially high stress areas on the bottom glass, so its best to put plastic grates or an ample layer of soil at the bottom to help spread out the weight.
In addition, always be very careful when positioning larger rocks in the tank, especially those tall rocks (must keep them well supported by soil or smaller rocks), just a wrong move can cause a mini avalanche and smash the glass... it happened to me once due to my butter fingers.
Last edited by Urban Aquaria; 1st Oct 2014 at 20:46.
Bro UA what type of plastic grates and where can be purchased? At a dilemma on the big rocks with same concern you mentioned which means may need to change scape idea....maybe smaller rocks and add DWs. I gather shorter rocks (<30 cm tall) will not look nice in a 2 ft high tank if my scape is purely rocks....need at least 2-3 of these tall ones....therefore concern with the weight etc!!
You can get those black or white plastic "light diffuser" grates from most LFS, looks like this:
Source: Google Images
Just use a pair of scissors or pen knife to cut them to size to fit on the base of your tank.
As long as the tall rocks are well supported by soil or other smaller rocks, it shouldn't be an issue. Just have to be careful when shifting the large rocks around.
Thanks bro UA. I can use some of these plastics from my store room!!
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