Weight Difference

[Hamsnacks]

In a situation where I have the option between 2 120 Gallon Tanks. Both 6 feet wide, 1 is a inch deep, while the other is an inch taller.

The difference is the weight though! 1 is extremely heavy, even with 2 full grown men we still struggle while the other has a nice weight and not over the top heavy.
Is it because the thickness of the glass, is there a benefit of thicker glass? Or not really?

I prefer the lighter one because it has 3 glass lids vs the 2 longer lids. However am I better off going with the heavier one? Both great shape.

Thanks

 

[Colin_T]

Aquariums that are 18inches high should have 6mm thick glass on the sides and either a 6, 8 or 10mm thick base.

Aquariums that are 24 inches high should have 10mm thick sides and base.

Aquariums that are more than 24 inches high should have thicker glass again, eg: 30 inches high uses 12mm thick glass.

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Aquariums that are 6 foot long should have 2 cross members and 3 sections for cover glass. If the 6 foot long aquarium only has 1 cross member then avoid it. The cross members are the bits of glass that go across the top of the tank from the front to the back. They are usually about 3-4 inches wide and should be the same thickness as the sides, eg: 6mm, 10mm, etc.

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What are the actual dimensions on the tanks, length x width x height, and include thickness of the glass and photos of the front and top if possible?

 

[Hamsnacks]

Aquariums that are 6 foot long should have 2 cross members and 3 sections for cover glass. If the 6 foot long aquarium only has 1 cross member then avoid it. The cross members are the bits of glass that go across the top of the tank from the front to the back. They are usually about 3-4 inches wide and should be the same thickness as the sides, eg: 6mm, 10mm, etc.

I can get you the exact measurements but this pretty much summed up the exact difference.

The lighter tank has 2 cross members and 3 sections for cover glass. The heavier unit has a single glass cross member that is about 12.7mm thick and 13.5" Wide.

Lighter Tank: 72" W, 18" D, 23" High
Heavier Tank: 72" W, ~19" D, ~21" High

 

[Colin_T]

Lighter Tank: 72" W, 18" D, 23" High
Heavier Tank: 72" W, ~19" D, ~21" High

The tank with the single cross member has a wide cross member so that compensates for it only having one. The other tank has two cross members but they are normal size, so that is acceptable too.

The tank with the single cross member appears to be 10mm glass (the thickness) which is typical of this size tank. If it's 12mm glass that is fine too but it makes the tank heavier than it needs to be.

The tank with two cross members concerns me. It looks like 6mm thick glass and is 23 inches high. That could be an issue. Tanks that are 23-24inches high should be 10mm thick glass.

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If these are second hand tanks you are looking at buying, check the silicon and measure the actual thickness of the glass. I have posted some info about silicon and second hand tanks in the following thread that applies to all second hand tanks. It's the second post.
http://www.fishforums.net/threads/planning-for-a-distant-future-large-aquarium.449346/#post-3797205

 

[NickAu]

What is that surround made of plastic? How thick is it? what condition is it in? Plastic can deteriorate under lights given time.

 

[Hamsnacks]

I measured the thickness of the glass, heavier tank is 12mm thick. And the lighter tank is 10mm. To be honest the silicone looks almost brand new on both units. I know that both units have been filled and used by the previous owners but reading your comment on the other post definitely makes me more nervous than I was before haha but awesome information as usual, thank you very much. I think I'm leaning towards the lighter unit as the glass tops just work better on it.

The surround is made of plastic, its in very good shape, no melted spots, 2 minor cracks due to the move. Was too difficult to determine the thickness, few mms.

 

[Colin_T]

Does the lighter tank have glass support strips running across the top?
If not, and the only support strips across the top are plastic, and the plastic has a couple of cracks in it, that could be a serious issue.

If it does not have 10mm thick glass support strips across the top, you could add them. You would remove the plastic cover and throw away or keep if you want it. Get some glass strips that run the length of the tank (they would be about 70inches long x 1-2 inches wide). You glue them to the inside edge 10mm below the top. You lay the tank on its side to do this. 24 hours later you turn the tank over and glue the strip on the other side.

24 hours after that you stand the tank back upright and glue a couple of cross members onto the strips you just glued on. The cross members would be the width of the tank on the inside (a bit over 17inches) x about 4 inches wide x 10mm thick.
Measure them so they are evenly spaces and glue them on. Wait a week and set the tank up.

If the coverglass are half an inch too long after changing the cross members, you can use a glass cutter to take a bit off the edge. Then use some fine wet and dry sand paper on a sanding block (piece of wood) and smooth the edges off.
Wear safety glass when working with glass, and clean up the glass dust afterwards. Or take the covers to the petshop and get them to trim it for you.

 

[Hamsnacks]

I should of been more specific the actual support strips don't have any cracks at all and are in excellent shape. The 1 crack is on the outside trim on the bottom that goes up along the tank. And the other is on one of the corners on the top. Maybe I'll fill any Gap in between if possible

But I definitely like your idea of inserting glass support strips. Will definitely be forwarding this to a friend who is more handy with this kind of stuff.

You're awesome Colin!
Thank you