Designing new Mantis tank

[Limbo]

I'm looking for some advice on glass thickness.

I'm planning a custom tank for a Peacock. I'm considering one of the following as the dimensions:

18x18x18 = 25G
20x20x20 = 35G
24x24x24 = 60G

Need to figure out availability of lights etc for these different sizes, plus final tank size and space at home are considerations.

It will be a custom build so I can pick the glass thickness. What would you guys recommend as the minimum glass thickness to help prevent breakage? Would it be a good idea to make the bottom piece extra thick? Should I get the seals oversized so there is extra silicone for corner impacts, or just the bottom few inches?

Thanks,

Limbo

 

[danskim]

Those cube shapes will make it difficult to spot the mantis I think...

 

[Flusher]

24" long will give you better lighting options. 20" wide will give you a good footprint for gas exchange at the surface. 18" high will be easier to maintain. These dimensions will give you a 37 gallon tank that pretty much looks like a cube. (I'm actually working on a mini-reef with these dimensions.)

1/4" glass is a lot cheaper than thicker glass, IME. It's the minimum for a Peacock, I think.

I'd go with the 18" cube, though. I moved my G. smithii from a 6 gallon cube to a 13 gallon cube. I don't see him making use of the extra space, so he's going back to the smaller tank once I revamp the plumbing.

 

[BLockamon]

I'm using an Oceanic 30 gallon cube (21"x18"x21") for my (newly aquired) Peacock. The PVC burrow takes up about 1/2 of the tank. She's still getting settled in right now.

 

[Limbo]

Thank you for the responses. It's a project for next year, I like to plan and research for about 6 months first

 

[mattyice]

the tank im making for my peacock is going to be out of either 3/8" or 1/2" glass and will measure either 14x18x30 33G or 14x18x36 39G and will have a coralife 30" or 36" dual bulb T5 hood, and im debating on either a consiter filter with about 450GPH or a HOT filter