I need advice about building an all glass aquarium. - Aquarium Advice

AquaJoe · 09-05-2005, 03:49 PM

There are no stores within a 7 hour drive from where I live that sell over a 30 gallon tank, I need something around 50-100 gallons and I need it soon.

I do not want to build a plywood tank simply because I do not have the time, room and equipment to dedicate to such a project. I local auto glass company said they could build a rectangular glass tank to my specifications and this is where my number one main concern comes in: do 'all glass' aquariums NEED the plastic/steele/wood frame work around the top of and bottom edges of the tank? If you don't know what I mean think about the typical 20 gallon aquarium available at WalMart and the black plastic peices on the top and bottom. If the frame didn't add structural integrity to the aquarium then I wouldn't be concerned however that is just not the case. Or is it? Is a silicone sealed 'all glass' aquarium strong enough in it self to hold that much water without bursting at the seams? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Joe

JProx · 09-05-2005, 05:07 PM

to my knowledge the plastic on the bottom is the transfer medium of pressure and weight of the tank onto a stand, it also adds some protection to the glass and gives strength to the corners. the plastic on the top of the tank, if a center brace is present stops the glass from being pushed outward (bowed) by high water pressure, usually only needed on tanks 40+ gallons large.

if you have the means you can always substutate the plastic framing with wood (both top and bottom) and/or at the top of the tank, you just use a peice of glass siliconed to the sides to act as a center brace.

or if you can build the tank to manufactured aquarium dimensions, then you can special order the plastic frames from a manufacture or [acronym:502d12c5d1="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:502d12c5d1]. i had to replace the top brace on a 55gallon tank a long time back, i went to my local [acronym:502d12c5d1="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:502d12c5d1] special ordered it for 16 bucks.

Toirtis · 09-05-2005, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AquaJoe

There are no stores within a 7 hour drive from where I live that sell over a 30 gallon tank,

Hah...thats what you get for being a Maritimer, by!

Quote:

do 'all glass' aquariums NEED the plastic/steele/wood frame work around the top of and bottom edges of the tank?

No and yes....smaller tanks do not, larger tanks do not (if built by someone that really knows what they are doing), but do benefit greatly from it. In your case, having the tank built by glass guys that are not well aquarium-experienced, you really ptobably should have that tank framed....the other option would involve having glass braces across the top of the tank, but they will afftect asthetics and accessibility.

Whereabouts in NS are you? There may be more available to you than you realise (I have a few connections out that way that might be able to hook you up).

AquaJoe · 09-06-2005, 09:13 AM

First of I would like to thank JProx and Tortis for taking the time to respond, thanks

JProx, as far as ordering a frame in goes -if there was a pet store where I lived I would have done it a while ago :P On WalMart my friend......

Tortis, I am located in Reserve Mines which is in Sydney municipality. Any pointers would be great!

Last but not least, when you both said "brace the aquarium with glass to prevent bowing" you mean brace it as per GARF's instructions -no?

Cheers,
Joe

greenmaji · 09-06-2005, 11:51 AM

if you look at www.glasscages.com there glass bracing is alot more complicated then Garfs site instructions.. I have seen this since the last time you posted about this in the hardware area.. :P
I hope Toirtis can hook you up, that would be great.. :P
example..
http://www.glasscages.com/?sAction=V...ure&lPictID=88

JProx · 09-06-2005, 11:57 AM

yeah, garf mentions the need of it, its not optional you must have the tank center braced. it doesn't need to be a complex appendage, it can be as simple as a peice of glass, or made of wood just as long as something is there to stop the glass from bowing outwards, once the tank is full of water.

b4tn · 09-06-2005, 04:09 PM

My tank is all glass with no frames. It is 42 gallons. It has a strip of glass inside the tank about 1" wide abdout 1/2" from the top and goes the length of the tank front and back. I assube this is to keep the front from bowing.

AquaJoe · 09-08-2005, 06:13 AM

Hey greenmaji, thanks for the website but the biggest frame they sell there is for a 29 gallon aquarium. Thanks anyway.

Joe

greenmaji · 09-09-2005, 06:07 PM

all of the glass tanks they sell have top glass framing AquaJoe.. thats what I was refering to.. And if I were you I would send Toirtis a PM or post were your at up there to see if he doesnt know someone that could hook you up with a big tank. :P

09-05-2005, 03:49 PM	#1
AquaJoe Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: May 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 242	I need advice about building an all glass aquarium. There are no stores within a 7 hour drive from where I live that sell over a 30 gallon tank, I need something around 50-100 gallons and I need it soon. I do not want to build a plywood tank simply because I do not have the time, room and equipment to dedicate to such a project. I local auto glass company said they could build a rectangular glass tank to my specifications and this is where my number one main concern comes in: do 'all glass' aquariums NEED the plastic/steele/wood frame work around the top of and bottom edges of the tank? If you don't know what I mean think about the typical 20 gallon aquarium available at WalMart and the black plastic peices on the top and bottom. If the frame didn't add structural integrity to the aquarium then I wouldn't be concerned however that is just not the case. Or is it? Is a silicone sealed 'all glass' aquarium strong enough in it self to hold that much water without bursting at the seams? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Joe

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Building a new home and need advice on building in aquarium	Deepfish Mode	Member Introductions	7	10-21-2007 04:03 AM
Advice on building a sump room	Brad	Saltwater Reef Aquaria	8	11-28-2005 04:59 PM
Building new 29G Planted - Need Advice	jmcclain	Freshwater & Brackish - Planted Tanks	9	10-25-2005 05:08 PM
Regarding building an all glass 100 gallon aquarium	AquaJoe	General Hardware/Equipment Discussion	18	08-09-2005 07:21 PM
White stuff building up on my glass top hood	Raimeiken	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	7	03-06-2004 11:37 PM

09-05-2005, 05:07 PM	#2
JProx Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cleveland ohio Posts: 359	to my knowledge the plastic on the bottom is the transfer medium of pressure and weight of the tank onto a stand, it also adds some protection to the glass and gives strength to the corners. the plastic on the top of the tank, if a center brace is present stops the glass from being pushed outward (bowed) by high water pressure, usually only needed on tanks 40+ gallons large. if you have the means you can always substutate the plastic framing with wood (both top and bottom) and/or at the top of the tank, you just use a peice of glass siliconed to the sides to act as a center brace. or if you can build the tank to manufactured aquarium dimensions, then you can special order the plastic frames from a manufacture or [acronym:502d12c5d1="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:502d12c5d1]. i had to replace the top brace on a 55gallon tank a long time back, i went to my local [acronym:502d12c5d1="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:502d12c5d1] special ordered it for 16 bucks.

09-06-2005, 09:13 AM	#4
AquaJoe Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: May 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 242	First of I would like to thank JProx and Tortis for taking the time to respond, thanks JProx, as far as ordering a frame in goes -if there was a pet store where I lived I would have done it a while ago :P On WalMart my friend...... Tortis, I am located in Reserve Mines which is in Sydney municipality. Any pointers would be great! Last but not least, when you both said "brace the aquarium with glass to prevent bowing" you mean brace it as per GARF's instructions -no? Cheers, Joe

09-06-2005, 11:51 AM	#5
greenmaji Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,937	if you look at www.glasscages.com there glass bracing is alot more complicated then Garfs site instructions.. I have seen this since the last time you posted about this in the hardware area.. :P I hope Toirtis can hook you up, that would be great.. :P example.. http://www.glasscages.com/?sAction=V...ure&lPictID=88

09-06-2005, 11:57 AM	#6
JProx Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cleveland ohio Posts: 359	yeah, garf mentions the need of it, its not optional you must have the tank center braced. it doesn't need to be a complex appendage, it can be as simple as a peice of glass, or made of wood just as long as something is there to stop the glass from bowing outwards, once the tank is full of water.

09-06-2005, 04:09 PM	#7
b4tn Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Stuttgart, Germany Posts: 98	My tank is all glass with no frames. It is 42 gallons. It has a strip of glass inside the tank about 1" wide abdout 1/2" from the top and goes the length of the tank front and back. I assube this is to keep the front from bowing.

09-08-2005, 06:13 AM	#8
AquaJoe Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: May 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 242	Hey greenmaji, thanks for the website but the biggest frame they sell there is for a 29 gallon aquarium. Thanks anyway. Joe

09-09-2005, 06:07 PM	#9
greenmaji Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,937	all of the glass tanks they sell have top glass framing AquaJoe.. thats what I was refering to.. And if I were you I would send Toirtis a PM or post were your at up there to see if he doesnt know someone that could hook you up with a big tank. :P