400 gallon glass tank build

wakesurfdan · 02/13/2011, 04:18 PM

Hi everybody
i am in the process of starting my build of a 430 gallon glass reef tank.
The tank will be 120" long 30" wide and 29" tall. i am planning on using 1/2 starfire glass on front and sides and 1/2" plate glass on bottom and back.
it will have euro bracing with 2 layers of 1/2 inch by 3" all around top and 2-3" on ends and 2-6" braces spaced evenly across the top.Im a little worried about the 29" height with 1/2" glass and would appreciate any pros or cons

Thanks Dan

A Reef Scene · 02/13/2011, 05:39 PM

How much price difference would 3/4 be? And what type of sealent are you using?

jmchzn123 · 02/13/2011, 05:43 PM

IF and thats a big IF I was building a tank I would make it wider. 36" at least. just sayin.

wakesurfdan · 02/13/2011, 05:47 PM

Price for all glass for 1/2 inch is $1,700 price for 3/4 would be $2,900 so its a big diff and i havent decided on sealent yet

OH GOD · 02/13/2011, 05:55 PM

At a 120" long i dont know if 1/2 inch will bow but i have a 130 gallon and 30" tall and 58" long and my 1/2 inch glass is like a tank

TampaReefer79 · 02/13/2011, 06:14 PM

I JUST had a large tank built, and anything over 26" was going to require 1" thick material, so I went with a 25.5" tall tank, and 3/4" material. For that size, 1/2" sounds way too thin.

wakesurfdan · 02/13/2011, 06:42 PM

Water level will be 27" and it will be braced every 33" with a 6" wide 1/2" glass brace along with euro bracing with 2" strips along entire bottom so in theory it is a 36" long 30" wide 29" high tank

BluScrnOdeth · 02/13/2011, 09:34 PM

would be interesting if it worked that way.

wakesurfdan · 02/19/2011, 12:29 PM

ok I ordered my glass, I ended up changing my dimensions a little, here's the final
120" long 33" wide and 29" tall. I will be using 1/2" glass everywhere with the front and sides being Starfire. the bottom will have 1/4" strips 2" wide euro bracing. The top will have 1" thick x 3" wide around edges and 5- 1/2"x 6" braces front to back spaced evenly.
I went with 2 overflows 20" long by 7" deep on the back. each overflow has 3- 1 1/2" bulkheads 2 for drains and 1 for returns making a total of 2-1 1/2" returns and 4- 1 1/2" drains. The back of the tank will be painted black. I will be starting the tank next weekend and will post pics and progress along the way

wakesurfdan · 02/19/2011, 12:58 PM

Correction to tank dimensions 120" long 33" wide and 28" tall with water level ending up at 26-1/2" I calc it out with euro bracing to be a safety factor of 3.4

gods child · 02/19/2011, 03:28 PM

good luck with the 1/2 glass wiil realy like to see how it works out for you down the road . like a year or so

T Diddy · 02/19/2011, 11:17 PM

Don't forget to level the stand

rkaragozler · 02/20/2011, 08:57 AM

I just fineshed my 450 build, used 3/4" glass for sides and back, and 1/2" tempered starfire for front. only 1 center brace that is 10" wide at 1/2" thick, 6" wide top side supports. 1/2" tempered has the same strenght characteristics as 3/4 regular glass, from what my builder told me.

wakesurfdan · 02/20/2011, 04:21 PM

What height is your tank?

wakesurfdan · 02/20/2011, 04:59 PM

Also couple of other questions if you don't mind. I considered having my glass tempered and still can but was told by glass manufacturer that it could distort a little. how did yours come out? also I read in your post that you used 1/16" spacers where you siliconed edges together. This was also my concern because of the weight of each panel would extract all the silicon, was this the reason for the spacers and what did you use as spacers?

Thanks Dan

zenpytho · 02/20/2011, 06:20 PM

u can use spacers from home depot or lowes that r for ceramic tile and yes it "can distort" some but not likely they just have to say that in case it does so their not liablealso just imo i think u may regret 1/2" for a 10' tank at over 2' tall it is gonna bow

rkaragozler · 02/21/2011, 05:46 AM

my tank dimensions are 96x36x30. 30 being the height.

wakesurfdan · 02/21/2011, 04:07 PM

Well made the big decision today!!
I'm going with non-tempered 1/2" mainly because of the bracing I'm using and after finding this thread of almost the exact tank I will be building.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=847516
Glass will be in Friday so here we go!

wakesurfdan · 02/25/2011, 09:25 AM

Started my stand today I went with 2x2-3/16" square tube I will post some pics tonight

sfsuphysics · 02/25/2011, 09:32 PM

Man, I hope you know what you're doing because 1/2" would worry me a bit. That said... I hope you know what you're doing, because putting together a tank that size will require some level of skill.

wakesurfdan · 02/26/2011, 06:38 PM

Almost done with the stand just a little sanding and then paint.IMG_9569.jpg[ATTACH]IMG_9568.jpg[/ATTACH]

chimmike · 02/26/2011, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfsuphysics

Man, I hope you know what you're doing because 1/2" would worry me a bit. That said... I hope you know what you're doing, because putting together a tank that size will require some level of skill.

agreed. Even a reputable manufacturer putting together a tank that large in 1/2" would worry me.

wakesurfdan · 02/26/2011, 08:25 PM

I hope you guys are wrong! But everyone has the right to thier own opinion. I did plenty of research and have been a craftsman for 32 years , trust me I'm worried but confident in my own ability's. I just finished the stand and my glass should be ready next week from the glass edging company.

nyvp · 02/27/2011, 10:09 PM

Thats My 560/g 120x36x30 was 1/2" Starfire sides and 3/4 bottom and is still up and running 5 years later. Everyone here way over builds everything.

Corners

External overflow

dogstar74 · 02/27/2011, 11:54 PM

nyvp, I've always loved your tank. Man thing of beauty!

02/13/2011, 04:18 PM	#1
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	400 gallon glass tank build Hi everybody i am in the process of starting my build of a 430 gallon glass reef tank. The tank will be 120" long 30" wide and 29" tall. i am planning on using 1/2 starfire glass on front and sides and 1/2" plate glass on bottom and back. it will have euro bracing with 2 layers of 1/2 inch by 3" all around top and 2-3" on ends and 2-6" braces spaced evenly across the top.Im a little worried about the 29" height with 1/2" glass and would appreciate any pros or cons Thanks Dan

02/13/2011, 05:43 PM	#3
jmchzn123 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 240	IF and thats a big IF I was building a tank I would make it wider. 36" at least. just sayin. __________________ 10 years running - 90 gal Tech Tank, 48x18x24/ 30 gal sump/ BK 180 mini/ 3 AI Sol Blues/ DSB / UV / Tunze Wave Box/ APEX-Lite controller/ dosing pumps on the way/ Goldfish

02/19/2011, 11:17 PM	#12
T Diddy Slayer of Mice Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Augusta, Ga Posts: 1,338	Don't forget to level the stand __________________ America's best are not in America. Current Tank Info: 140 Gallon DSA in-wall, foam/rock wall, DIY LED, 40g sump, Precision Marine Skimmer, 100 gallon refugium, NO3, PO4,NH3/4 undetectable, Mg, Ca, KH...eeehhhhhh?

02/20/2011, 08:57 AM	#13
rkaragozler Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Staten Island,NY Posts: 296	I just fineshed my 450 build, used 3/4" glass for sides and back, and 1/2" tempered starfire for front. only 1 center brace that is 10" wide at 1/2" thick, 6" wide top side supports. 1/2" tempered has the same strenght characteristics as 3/4 regular glass, from what my builder told me. __________________ A couple of years ago, I had an idea that it would be nice to one day have a reef aquarium. Looking at the last six months of my credit card statements, I should have just left it the way it was.

02/21/2011, 05:46 AM	#17
rkaragozler Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Staten Island,NY Posts: 296	my tank dimensions are 96x36x30. 30 being the height. __________________ A couple of years ago, I had an idea that it would be nice to one day have a reef aquarium. Looking at the last six months of my credit card statements, I should have just left it the way it was.

02/13/2011, 05:39 PM	#2
A Reef Scene Registered Member. Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Montgomery, Illinois Posts: 1,465	How much price difference would 3/4 be? And what type of sealent are you using?

02/13/2011, 05:47 PM	#4
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	Price for all glass for 1/2 inch is $1,700 price for 3/4 would be $2,900 so its a big diff and i havent decided on sealent yet

02/13/2011, 05:55 PM	#5
OH GOD Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 96	At a 120" long i dont know if 1/2 inch will bow but i have a 130 gallon and 30" tall and 58" long and my 1/2 inch glass is like a tank

02/13/2011, 06:14 PM	#6
TampaReefer79 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 3,448	I JUST had a large tank built, and anything over 26" was going to require 1" thick material, so I went with a 25.5" tall tank, and 3/4" material. For that size, 1/2" sounds way too thin.

02/13/2011, 06:42 PM	#7
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	Water level will be 27" and it will be braced every 33" with a 6" wide 1/2" glass brace along with euro bracing with 2" strips along entire bottom so in theory it is a 36" long 30" wide 29" high tank

02/13/2011, 09:34 PM	#8
BluScrnOdeth Darin Schmidt Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 537	would be interesting if it worked that way.

02/19/2011, 12:29 PM	#9
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	ok I ordered my glass, I ended up changing my dimensions a little, here's the final 120" long 33" wide and 29" tall. I will be using 1/2" glass everywhere with the front and sides being Starfire. the bottom will have 1/4" strips 2" wide euro bracing. The top will have 1" thick x 3" wide around edges and 5- 1/2"x 6" braces front to back spaced evenly. I went with 2 overflows 20" long by 7" deep on the back. each overflow has 3- 1 1/2" bulkheads 2 for drains and 1 for returns making a total of 2-1 1/2" returns and 4- 1 1/2" drains. The back of the tank will be painted black. I will be starting the tank next weekend and will post pics and progress along the way

02/19/2011, 12:58 PM	#10
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	Correction to tank dimensions 120" long 33" wide and 28" tall with water level ending up at 26-1/2" I calc it out with euro bracing to be a safety factor of 3.4

02/19/2011, 03:28 PM	#11
gods child Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 100	good luck with the 1/2 glass wiil realy like to see how it works out for you down the road . like a year or so

02/20/2011, 04:21 PM	#14
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	What height is your tank?

02/20/2011, 04:59 PM	#15
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	Also couple of other questions if you don't mind. I considered having my glass tempered and still can but was told by glass manufacturer that it could distort a little. how did yours come out? also I read in your post that you used 1/16" spacers where you siliconed edges together. This was also my concern because of the weight of each panel would extract all the silicon, was this the reason for the spacers and what did you use as spacers? Thanks Dan

02/20/2011, 06:20 PM	#16
zenpytho Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 160	u can use spacers from home depot or lowes that r for ceramic tile and yes it "can distort" some but not likely they just have to say that in case it does so their not liablealso just imo i think u may regret 1/2" for a 10' tank at over 2' tall it is gonna bow

02/21/2011, 04:07 PM	#18
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	Well made the big decision today!! I'm going with non-tempered 1/2" mainly because of the bracing I'm using and after finding this thread of almost the exact tank I will be building. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=847516 Glass will be in Friday so here we go!

02/25/2011, 09:25 AM	#19
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	Started my stand today I went with 2x2-3/16" square tube I will post some pics tonight

02/25/2011, 09:32 PM	#20
sfsuphysics Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Francisco Posts: 9,103	Man, I hope you know what you're doing because 1/2" would worry me a bit. That said... I hope you know what you're doing, because putting together a tank that size will require some level of skill. __________________ Mike

02/26/2011, 06:38 PM	#21
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	Almost done with the stand just a little sanding and then paint.IMG_9569.jpg[ATTACH]IMG_9568.jpg[/ATTACH]

02/26/2011, 08:25 PM	#23
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	I hope you guys are wrong! But everyone has the right to thier own opinion. I did plenty of research and have been a craftsman for 32 years , trust me I'm worried but confident in my own ability's. I just finished the stand and my glass should be ready next week from the glass edging company.

02/27/2011, 10:09 PM	#24
nyvp Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hollywood Florida Posts: 3,633	Thats My 560/g 120x36x30 was 1/2" Starfire sides and 3/4 bottom and is still up and running 5 years later. Everyone here way over builds everything. Corners External overflow

02/27/2011, 11:54 PM	#25
dogstar74 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Wyoming Posts: 2,152	nyvp, I've always loved your tank. Man thing of beauty! __________________ "If there's nothing wrong with me... then there must be something wrong with the universe!" Current Tank Info: 10 gallon nano with ATS

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