how strong is aquarium glass?

spacepony · 02/15/2010, 04:18 PM

Ok, so this sounds a bit insecure, but how much weight can the bottom of a tank really handle? I've noticed stands seem to have this wide open space in the center, which means all the support is at the sides, and thus, all the weight of the inclusive media (rock, sand) is solely on the bottom glass.

Has anyone actually had their tank bust through the bottom?

My FW tank I built the stand for, and with a thin bit of styrofoam, I don't worry about that problem.
(FWIW, my new SW is a ~46g high rectangle thing that has 40lbs of sand, plus all that water, and I'm about to add 40lbs of rock)

lordofthereef · 02/15/2010, 04:23 PM

If it is built right I don't think there can be much of a problem. I don;t have specific data, but I know PLENTY of glass tanks are built with trim around the bottom. This trim keep the bottom glass from resting on a stand, even if the stand has a full cover and not just "openness" below the tank. I wouldn't worry about it, unless of course you are asking because you are wanting to build your own. In that case I would wait for someone else to chime in

WhoDat? · 02/15/2010, 04:25 PM

check out this youtube video.... it will make you feel better.... I promise.... haha...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgEwEiTyYcs

spacepony · 02/15/2010, 04:38 PM

O M G !!!

Ok I feel TONS better!!!!

brubinfeld · 02/15/2010, 05:31 PM

pretty cool youtube video

wooden_reefer · 02/15/2010, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordofthereef

If it is built right I don't think there can be much of a problem. I don;t have specific data, but I know PLENTY of glass tanks are built with trim around the bottom. This trim keep the bottom glass from resting on a stand, even if the stand has a full cover and not just "openness" below the tank. I wouldn't worry about it, unless of course you are asking because you are wanting to build your own. In that case I would wait for someone else to chime in

That is why I like to put some thing of the correct thickness in the middle so that the bottom glass is really supported.

lordofthereef · 02/15/2010, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wooden_reefer

That is why I like to put some thing of the correct thickness in the middle so that the bottom glass is really supported.

I have heard people say that this can do more harm than good. I wouldn't know aside from reading other's experiences. I imagine they are designed the way they are for a reason though, and no glass tank manufacturer that I know of recommends putting something in between like that.

wooden_reefer · 02/15/2010, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordofthereef

I have heard people say that this can do more harm than good. I wouldn't know aside from reading other's experiences. I imagine they are designed the way they are for a reason though, and no glass tank manufacturer that I know of recommends putting something in between like that.

The bottom rim is not designed for strength of the bottom glass, but for appearance and other structural consideration of the tank at large.

Supporting the glass at the middle will help.

WhoDat? · 02/15/2010, 06:59 PM

I agree with lordofthereef ..... it seems that if it would help to have something supporting the middle then the manufacturers would add that to the tank.... so theres gotta be a reason they don't.... heres my theroy.... if you have something supporting the middle..... then lets say the wood around the edges becomes just a tiny bit soft and lets the tank settle even 1/16 of an inch....then suddenly you have a major problem.... you will have stress on the bottom glass and it will crack.... The tank can hold it by itself... If you build it... build it right.... if you buy it... then its going to be ready for your rocks, sand, etc....

02/15/2010, 04:18 PM	#1
spacepony Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Rockmart, GA Posts: 27	how strong is aquarium glass? Ok, so this sounds a bit insecure, but how much weight can the bottom of a tank really handle? I've noticed stands seem to have this wide open space in the center, which means all the support is at the sides, and thus, all the weight of the inclusive media (rock, sand) is solely on the bottom glass. Has anyone actually had their tank bust through the bottom? My FW tank I built the stand for, and with a thin bit of styrofoam, I don't worry about that problem. (FWIW, my new SW is a ~46g high rectangle thing that has 40lbs of sand, plus all that water, and I'm about to add 40lbs of rock) __________________ Working on adding 'crazy fish lady' to 'crazy cat lady' - does that make me a crazy catfish lady? "Surf's up space ponies!! I'm makin' gravy without the lumps!!! AAAAhhh-hahaha-hahaha!!!" The Mad Midnight Bomber What Bombs At Midnight Current Tank Info: 40 gal FW, starting 46g FOWLR

02/15/2010, 04:23 PM	#2
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	If it is built right I don't think there can be much of a problem. I don;t have specific data, but I know PLENTY of glass tanks are built with trim around the bottom. This trim keep the bottom glass from resting on a stand, even if the stand has a full cover and not just "openness" below the tank. I wouldn't worry about it, unless of course you are asking because you are wanting to build your own. In that case I would wait for someone else to chime in __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

02/15/2010, 04:25 PM	#3
WhoDat? Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Crowley, LA Posts: 295	check out this youtube video.... it will make you feel better.... I promise.... haha... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgEwEiTyYcs __________________ Hello my name is Grant.... and I have OCD.... (first step is admitting it right?) :) Current Tank Info: 165g Red Sea Reefer, S-200 skimmer.; CW-200 Algae Scrubber. Sea Max 26 LED lights. 2 Nero 5’s

02/15/2010, 04:38 PM	#4
spacepony Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Rockmart, GA Posts: 27	O M G !!! Ok I feel TONS better!!!! __________________ Working on adding 'crazy fish lady' to 'crazy cat lady' - does that make me a crazy catfish lady? "Surf's up space ponies!! I'm makin' gravy without the lumps!!! AAAAhhh-hahaha-hahaha!!!" The Mad Midnight Bomber What Bombs At Midnight Current Tank Info: 40 gal FW, starting 46g FOWLR

02/15/2010, 06:59 PM	#9
WhoDat? Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Crowley, LA Posts: 295	I agree with lordofthereef ..... it seems that if it would help to have something supporting the middle then the manufacturers would add that to the tank.... so theres gotta be a reason they don't.... heres my theroy.... if you have something supporting the middle..... then lets say the wood around the edges becomes just a tiny bit soft and lets the tank settle even 1/16 of an inch....then suddenly you have a major problem.... you will have stress on the bottom glass and it will crack.... The tank can hold it by itself... If you build it... build it right.... if you buy it... then its going to be ready for your rocks, sand, etc.... __________________ Hello my name is Grant.... and I have OCD.... (first step is admitting it right?) :) Current Tank Info: 165g Red Sea Reefer, S-200 skimmer.; CW-200 Algae Scrubber. Sea Max 26 LED lights. 2 Nero 5’s

02/15/2010, 05:31 PM	#5
brubinfeld Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: southfield Posts: 55	pretty cool youtube video