How thick should.... 8 foot tank

[sfsuphysics]

While I'm constantly thinking about size for my next tank two things that come to mind... how thick should the glass be.... and how thick should the acrylic be... why both? because I was first set on glass, simply for easy of use... however depending upon how well the Mighty Magnet scraper works I might go acrylic, plus I've heard that custom jobs are often cheaper in acrylic than glass for large tanks.

So here's the deal, I think I've set myself for either a 8'Lx3'Wx2'T or a 6'x4'x2' either way I cut it it's going to be 360gallons, although due to the size I might scale back to 6x3x2 just for sanity of water changes...

I think with a tank that large I don't absolutely need a completely open top either, I thought about eurobracing but I'm not complete adverse to the idea of cross bracing as well especially if it's going to save some $$$ in thickness of the glass/acrylic, of course this might just come at the expense of eurobracing.

So the 64 dollar question is, how thick should it be at a minimum? How thick should it be for sanity purposes, as I don't want to go to a fabricator and have him tell me a size that's extra thick just to get me to spend more. Also there is a possible DIY element here as well, however after pricing PVC sheets (haven't found a glass shop yet though that can do lowiron glass in appreciable thickness 5/8" or more) it might end up being cheaper (or pretty damn close in cost) to have someone else make it.

 

[SaraB]

I would say either 3/4" or maybe 1" for an acrylic tank with the first 8' dimension tank you listed.

I have a new 90x30x26 done in 3/4" that I'm completely confident about as well.

 

[sfsuphysics]

The problem is I don't want to do more than 3/4" because I like my Vortech pumps

 

[SaraB]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13851907#post13851907 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sfsuphysics
The problem is I don't want to do more than 3/4" because I like my Vortech pumps

Understood! Well, considering your lxw dimensions are just 6" more than mine, you might just be fine with 3/4". The best people to ask are the reputable manufacturers of these tanks. I trusted James at Envision Acrylics to help me with what I needed for durability. I could have done 1", but he said that would be more than I needed and at an extra cost as well ... so I went with 3/4"

 

[obiwanthegoby]

I am picking up my 400 gallon tank this week done in 3/4" acrylic. Dimensions are 84" x 36" X 29.5"T. They actually quoted me a 1/2 price but recommended I do it in 3/4" because I plan to have standing waves in the tank.

 

[stunreefer]

Re: How thick should.... 8 foot tank

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13851596#post13851596 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sfsuphysics
How thick should it be for sanity purposes, as I don't want to go to a fabricator and have him tell me a size that's extra thick just to get me to spend more.

99% a good tank manufacturer wont tell you that you need something that you don't. For the most part they wouldn't be making money off that anyway, the higher cost will be due to materials (perhaps the thicker is harder to work with).

I'm sure a tank that size you'll want around for a long time, so go with a good manufacturer like Sara recommended. IMO...Acrylic = James at Envision; Glass = Tom at AGE.

GL!

 

[SaraB]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13852096#post13852096 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by obiwanthegoby
I am picking up my 400 gallon tank this week done in 3/4" acrylic. Dimensions are 84" x 36" X 29.5"T. They actually quoted me a 1/2 price but recommended I do it in 3/4" because I plan to have standing waves in the tank.

Glad to hear you went with the 3/4" as 1/2" is just too thin for that size of tank! I had a 6' 225G bow with 1/2" acrylic!

 

[sfsuphysics]

Re: Re: How thick should.... 8 foot tank

Re: Re: How thick should.... 8 foot tank

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13852196#post13852196 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stunreefer
99% a good tank manufacturer wont tell you that you need something that you don't. For the most part they wouldn't be making money off that anyway, the higher cost will be due to materials (perhaps the thicker is harder to work with).

Well that's the whole reason for this "scouting mission" I like to be at least partially knowledgeable before asking for professional quotes just to know if I'm getting hosed or not.

I'm sure a tank that size you'll want around for a long time, so go with a good manufacturer like Sara recommended. IMO...Acrylic = James at Envision; Glass = Tom at AGE.

Would you happen to know how to get in contact with AGE? Website? Being as I don't know what A.G.E. stands for I can't really google too much about it, I've heard their tanks are very nice... however also extremely pricey.

 

[Volcano1]

3/4 for glass as well, 96 x 36 x28 eurobraced, miracels.

 

[sfsuphysics]

In Toronto? How much did that run you if I might ask? Shipping to California might be a bit cost prohibitive

Either way, I think the woman is going to require me to re-organize the "fishroom" (which she strangely calls a laundry room), before I get any tank plans going forward

 

[porthios]

'The problem is I don't want to do more than 3/4" because I like my Vortech pumps'


mine is 96x42x30 with 1.25" think acrylic. eurobraced. no cross bracing at all.
i've added dry boxes into the overflow allowing the vortech to mount up with 1/2" thick acrylic. the motor and cables are completely concealed..

 

[Acrylics]

Re: How thick should.... 8 foot tank

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13851596#post13851596 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sfsuphysics
...So here's the deal, I think I've set myself for either a 8'Lx3'Wx2'T or a 6'x4'x2' either way I cut it it's going to be 360gallons, although due to the size I might scale back to 6x3x2 just for sanity of water changes...

I think with a tank that large I don't absolutely need a completely open top either, I thought about eurobracing but I'm not complete adverse to the idea of cross bracing as well especially if it's going to save some $$$ in thickness of the glass/acrylic, of course this might just come at the expense of eurobracing.

As you correctly surmise, the lower your tolerance for bracing - the thicker material you should use. If your tolerance for bracing is a bit higher, you can use material that's a little thinner.

3/4" acrylic should do well as a fair compromise without compromising structural integrity. With a little (3" or a little better) eurobracing, one crossbrace on the 6 x 3' tank and two on the 8' tank, of course add the extra if desired or lighting scheme doesn't work with the above.

The 6 x 4' tank is a bit different in that you will have to increase the width eurobrace on the 4' sides if you don't want a crossbrace bisecting that side. 3/4" material with a 3" eurobrace will do quite well on a 36" span (at 24" height) but not as well on a 4' span, so increasing the width of the bracing there will compensate.

HTH,
James

 

[sfsuphysics]

Thanks a ton James, and others too, that's exactly the type of info I'm looking for. I know different tank makers have different levels for tolerance, one local on Kritter Creations has really high tolerances (also one of the more expensive ones as well). However it's nice to at least get a baseline feel and know what should be done, 3-4" on a 36"-48" span IMO is not bad at all, cross braces over a long span.. again just put them in such a fashion that lights line up.

Now a couple big questions I need to deal with, first do I want to do glass or acrylic, I like glass and have some nice ideas, I am comfortable with working with it, however a tank this size..... acrylic definitely not comfortable with, but there seems to be many more acrylic tank makers than glass.

Then finally, do I go 8x3 or 6x4. I have a 4x3 (180) now as a temporary tank, and I can imagine in my head, two of them side by side, or two of them back to back... but still can't picture what would be nicer.

 

[stunreefer]

Re: Re: Re: How thick should.... 8 foot tank

Re: Re: Re: How thick should.... 8 foot tank

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13852317#post13852317 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sfsuphysics
Well that's the whole reason for this "scouting mission" I like to be at least partially knowledgeable before asking for professional quotes just to know if I'm getting hosed or not.

I agree, its a great idea... never good to go in blind.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13852317#post13852317 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sfsuphysics
Would you happen to know how to get in contact with AGE? Website? Being as I don't know what A.G.E. stands for I can't really google too much about it, I've heard their tanks are very nice... however also extremely pricey.

A.G.E. stands for Acrylic and Glass exhibits. Here's their website: http://www.acrylicandglassexhibits.com/

They don't sell direct to the public though, you have to go through a distributor, or a LFS could probably do it. I ended up going through John at Kingfish Aquariums. He gave me a better price than other places, and is a great knowledgable guy to work with.

 

[sfsuphysics]

Thank you for the information, it's a shame AGE doesn't deal with the public, I understand the reasoning behind it, but IMO they get faxed for a quote from a LFS, they can get faxed a quote for a quote from an individual. Plus there's no need to tack on an extra 5 or 10% for LFS troubles, on an already expensive tank.

 

[Untamed12]

There must be a reason you didn't list 8x4...or 6x6...both of which I would want over the choices you've given..

...but given your two choices, I would go with 6x4....same as my tank. You can't beat depth.

 

[sfsuphysics]

Yes the reason I didn't list those two sizes is that any additional size in any direction with this tank tends to add up the gallons quite a bit, 8x4 = 480g, 6x6 = 540... just a little too much for me. All of a sudden the 10-15% water change each month becomes more and more a chore. With my 100g I pretty much did one garbage can full... with my 180 I'll probably keep the same since the fish load hasn't changed and the skimmer went leaps and bounds... get into the 300g range though... I dunno. Hell I wanted to run a super long tank along one wall and L onto the other, total length about 14 feet... but then I got tempted by wide tanks... can't seem myself going back to 18-24 inches wide... so fine 36" x ... ugh I'll keep it as a dream, maybe if I hit the lottery or something

I am kind of leaning towards the 6x4 too, plus it's a lot more impressive as a pennisula, where as the 8x3 is long which is nice but I don't think I'd want to pennisula a tank like this simply because of the distance to overflow from the front. Room divider with overflows on both side.. sure but that's not gonna happen.

 

[khaosinc]

I just measured my 8'x2'wx30" tall tank, and its 5/8" acrylic. Tank has been up over 10 years, and survived one move so far and never a problem.