Safety Factor with metal bracing

[Tuffloud1]

Does anyone know if these safety factor calculators assume a metal frame with cross bracing is being used? When I punch in my tanks dimensions with a safety factor of 3, it says 15 mm glass should be used.

I'm doing 5/8 glass (15.875 mm).

So does this calculator assume a metal frame is used? Mine will have an aluminum frame top and bottom with 2 cross braces at the top.

I'm curious if the safety factor would be higher than what this calculator shows.

 

[bitwise]

Maybe it doesn't factor in the stand at all?

 

[Tuffloud1]

Man, I’m really stressing about this glass thickness business.

Everywhere I read, I see different information.

Bottom glass: does it need to be thicker than the rest of the panels? Let’s say 5/8 is the minimum thickness the side panels need to be to be completely safe. According to everywhere I’m reading, the bottom panel is under even more pressure. So wouldn’t the bottom require 3/4 glass to be completely safe?

According to Custom Aquariums, they said there is no reason to go with 3/4 on the bottom and 5/8 like the rest of the side panels is sufficient.

This goes against all the advice out there that states “rule of thumb, the bottom panel should be the next step up from the sides”.