Will the glass break?

[redbelly]

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This is a non-fish-related question...but concerning a fish tank. I just purchased a used 120 gallon tank. 48x24x24. Corner overflows and drilled bottom. I purchased the tank to build into a vivarium for poison dart frogs. My two options are...obviously one building it as a top access vivarium. Pros:​ ~No conversion is needed other than buying the lid kit and rather than using the plastic filler strips, building or converting those into screened vents.​ ~Large unobstructed viewing area.​ Cons:​ ~Accessing the interior of the tank for building and planting and maintenance.​ ~No lower front ventilation. Not needed but helps with preventing front glass condensation and chimney effect works well to get natural air movement in the enclosure.​ Option 2, tip the tank onto its side and convert the front into a front opening enclosure...either with swing or sliding doors. Pros:​ ~Easier access to the interior.​ ~Would allow for building in a lower vent.​ ~Less or no front glass condensation due to lower vent/chimney effect.​ Cons:​ ~Center brace would obstruct some of the view.​ ~Requires conversion of the tank.​ ~No top rear vent so the chimney effect would not be as effective.​ ~Possible damage to the tank.​ So I'm leaning towards wanting to do the front opening conversion. But my concern is the glass and would it be ok tipped over. Namely the top glass which would be formally the back panel...so a 48x24 pane of glass. Would it have any tendency to sag under it's own weight? If I did this conversion...I'd really want to remove the center brace so it did not obstruct the view. The glass is at least 3/8" and might be 1//2". I didn't have time to measure it...I got home with the tank and had to go to work which is where I am now as I type this. I also do not believe the glass is tempered. Thoughts?​

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I’m no vivarium expert, but I would go with option 1. Tanks are not meant to be rested on their side, and then have weight put on the front panel. If you do so, you may damage the tank.

 

[itiwhetu]

If it is 12mm glass it will never sag. I would be concerned if it is 6mm but if that glass is more than 10mm it will never move.

 

[Myraan]

I know nothing about vivariums but I would worry about the lack of vents more. I mean the weight of the vivarium pushing down on front glass (assuming a level flat base) is gonna be less than the weight of a two foot water column pushing out....

But maybe for really tropical inhabitants the extra humidity will be good for them anyway.