Conservative estimate for thickness of a braceless 2X1.5X1.5 ft tank ?

[vwsj84]

Hi guys !

What do you think is a safe thickness for a 2X1.5X1.5 ft braceless tank? 8mm? 10mm? Thanks

[medicineman]

I'd go for 10mm.

If you intend to burden the glass some more by placing lamp, hang on filter, etc, 10mm sounds like a good idea.

The tank itself would bend a little when fully filled. It is better to play safe than sorry. Braceless tanks are relatively helpless in terms of structural strength when you compare them to fully braced tank.

I have recently ordered a custom made tank measuring 100x40x40cm using 12mm glass and it is solid with minimal deflection.

[Rupert]

I have 3 braceless tanks

2 x1Wx1H with 10mm glass
4 x 1W x1H with 12 mm glass
4 x 2W x 2.5H with 15 mm glass.

For braceless I prefer to have thicker glass than what is probably necessary, but it easer to sleep at night with those extra few mm.

[ghim]

I have a braceless 60cmX40cmx45cm tank, thickness is 12mm. And also a 30cm cube tank with 8mm optiwhite glass.

There is a formula for calculation of thickness of aquarium tanks. And the thickness varies if you choose a differrent type of glass.

For your intended tank size, I believe the local tank makers will go for 12mm.

Tank makers will be able to decide for you on the safe thickness for your intended tank.