Building A Tank - What Thickness Of Glass

[pollers]

Hi All,

A while back I wanted to have a go at making my own fish tank. I wanted it to be about 2ft deep 3ft long and 18" wide. I phoned a local glazing company and asked them to quote for the glass I required. They asked me how thick the glass was to be.????? I didnt have a clue and cant remember what I said. They gave me a quote for the glass, and having recovered from the shock and picking my self up of the floor Im considering re-visiting this idea.
I could believe the price of the glass, it worked out cheaper (but not the tank I wanted) buying a mass manufactured tank from a store.
Anyone else had experiance of this. Any tips please?

[dan.hobley]

some including myself went for 4mm thick untoughened (float) glass.
however im on my second build now and this time im going for 6mm either toughened or laminate glass. 6mm looks alot better and although is heavier is worth it in my opinion.
hope this helps

[pollers]

Originally Posted by dan.hobley

some including myself went for 4mm thick untoughened (float) glass.
however im on my second build now and this time im going for 6mm either toughened or laminate glass. 6mm looks alot better and although is heavier is worth it in my opinion.
hope this helps

Think 6mm was what I suggested at the time, "float glass" didnt mention this, is this cheaper? May try asking for it when I request a quote. I really couldnt believe the cost.

Thanks for your help

[mike515]

6 mm float or toughened. 4 mm glass would work but I prefer the piece of mind with thicker glass.


Get it from a good glass dealer and ask to have the edges finished and polished. Best bet is work out which edges will be available to tough and have them rounded.

[pollers]

Originally Posted by mike515

6 mm float or toughened. 4 mm glass would work but I prefer the piece of mind with thicker glass.


Get it from a good glass dealer and ask to have the edges finished and polished. Best bet is work out which edges will be available to tough and have them rounded.

Nice one thanks. Been looking into another option "acrylic". Been quoted £202.23 for 8mm sections pre cut, big enough to construct a tank 3ft x 2ft x 18" - Anyone got an opinion on both the acrlic idea and price?

[Riff]

If you want it 2ft deep, id go for 10mm glass.

3ft long and 18 inch wide is not a problem with 6mm but the depth needs thicker glass.

[pollers]

What do you think to the acrylic idea. Im thinking this could be cheaper than glass, but dont thint it would look that much different

[Riff]

Dont think acrylic is cheaper but im not sure, i find out the price for a 10mm glass 36x18x24 in a bit, i know nothing about acrylic prices, i know of a big acrylic tank that burst just before xmas, total failure, it was 5 years old and 300 gallons

[pollers]

Originally Posted by Riff

Dont think acrylic is cheaper but im not sure, i find out the price for a 10mm glass 36x18x24 in a bit, i know nothing about acrylic prices, i know of a big acrylic tank that burst just before xmas, total failure, it was 5 years old and 300 gallons

Oh shi* - someones gonna need a mop. Maybe acrylic isnt such a hot idea, be interesting to know how much the glass option works out at.

[Riff]

36x18x24 in 10mm with glass sliders, just the bare tank with no stand is about £180 ish, no one there at the moment so not sure on delivery charges.