250G, Starfire, Eurobrace: 5/8 or 3/4 glass?

[Barney121]

I'm currently planning out an approximately 250 gallon tank, 72" long x 27" deep x 30" high. With eurobracing, and Starfire on 3 sides. I've gotten quotes from 3 custom tank manufacturers. 2 are pretty close in price and include 3/4" glass. The third is about 1/3 less in cost (so it's $1000, enough to be real money), and includes 5/8" glass. Still warrantied for 5 years.

I've looked at a number of glass thickness calculators, and they seem to suggest that 5/8 would be fine on this. But I don't know if calculators from a couple of years ago take into account eurobracing (and I'm not sure if the bracing style even makes a difference), and most large tank projects here seem to use 3/4 (most of what's posted are 300-500G though).

Any reactions to going 5/8 with these dimensions?

Thanks in advance.
-- Scott

 

[Shaun120]

Easy for me to say but I would go with the 3/4" glass. Though the other tank may be a little cheaper I have yet to come across where cheaper is better in this hobby. The 5/8" glass is probably mathematically safe for a tank that size, but I would like the extra strength of 3/4" when the precarious rock gets moved and tips into the glass. The warrantee doesn't mean much when the tank breaks...not that it will.

Maybe the fact the 2 of the 3 manufacturers use 3/4” glass may indicate the way to go also.

Good luck…sorry if my comments are not helpful at all.

 

[Barney121]

Thanks. I've now found 2 manufacturers that have estimated the tank using 5/8, and 2 that estimated with 3/4. So I feel better that a second (and very reputable) company also went with 5/8.

 

[asmodeus]

my 280 gal tank was 5/8 glass and man it was freaking heavy go with the 5/8 i had 1 center brace on it 5/8 is strong remember. you can make a huge tank out of 5/8" glass



hth

 

[magdelan]

Is starphire any less strong?? It is lacking "iron" molecules...right?

 

[sphelps]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9745835#post9745835 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by magdelan
Is starphire any less strong?? It is lacking "iron" molecules...right?

It's a little softer but nothing to really be concerned about.

5/8" is plenty, the standard glass thickness for a 230 (72x24x30) is 12mm (1/2") so you're almost overkilling it.

 

[yaktop]

I'm just about to order a 72x30x30 and found that the height is more critical than anything. at 30 it seems you need 3/4. now that being said, I plan on using 3 vortecs and a tunze wavebox, I am told that the using the wavebox and the wave action creates more stress than a normal set up tank, couple with up to anther 9,000 gph flow I'm going with 3/4's and sleep better at night. Good luck.