Tank building

[jamieren]

Hey guys I'm a novice to fishkeeping, however I am also a glass guy. I built my first tank according to recommendations on the glass safety calculator, it's made with 5mm glass and measures 28x16x14.5"h. I decided to put a brace in the top center just to be on the safe side, and it's held up nicely so far (about 2 months) without any leaks or cracks. Now I'm looking to make something bigger, and between the calculator I mentioned and info from various sources / forums I'm thinking with 6mm glass I could get away with a tank 42x16x16" so long as I have a center brace. According to one thread I read, they claimed that a brace effectually simulates the outer wall of a tank, so the length of the tank could be doubled or even tripled with the use of them which I'd love to try, but I'm a little leary of the base cracking and have some doubts about the claim simply due to the fact only the top is reinforced rather than the entire height. What are your suggestions (and in particular what is your experience!) with regard to how far I can safely push 6mm glass?

 

[FreshwaterCentral]

You can put plastic braces around the bottom - that's very common. There's also this great thread on monster fish keepers worth reading: https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/glass-thickness-guide.139898/

 

[jamieren]

YES!!! Thanks 'Freshie'! I'd happened across that thread some time ago and had forgotten about it. Excellent reply. As to the plastic braces, what is it they accomplish? It seems to me that having the bottom of the tank resting on a solid base (supposing it's level and free of debris that would cause a pressure point) would be wiser than having the base panel held up around the edges which would have the weight resting on the glass with no support. I mean I know this is standard practice with mass produced tanks and it gives a finished look to the tank, but is there actual utility to it?