Aluminum Stand, Recessed Panels and Overhang

[Jon's Reef]

I would like to build an Al stand with flush panels similar to the new Waterbox LX series.

My tank has a full glass bottom (under the exterior panels) with a second inset glass bottom on top of that followed by a starboard bottom on top of that.

Tank is 36x30x24 with 1/2" glass.

If I want the removable panels/ doors to be flush with the tank, can I just build the stand 1/2" smaller on each side... or will that lead to catastrophic failure?

Any experience/ pics would be great!

 

[KrisReef]

If I am understanding your text, when you remove the panels the bottom edge of the tank will be exposed?

Glass breaks easiest by bumping an edge. It would be a shame to bump an edge when reinstalling a flush door and at that moment end up flushing the tank onto the floor. If the edges of the tank are protected you will reduce the chance of an impact, chip, break failure. hth.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Sounds awesome but how wide are your doors? If they are 1/2 then you may need to add an extra 1/8 or so, to account for hardware.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

If I am understanding your text, when you remove the panels the bottom edge of the tank will be exposed?

Glass breaks easiest by bumping an edge. It would be a shame to bump an edge when reinstalling a flush door and at that moment end up flushing the tank onto the floor. If the edges of the tank are protected you will reduce the chance of an impact, chip, break failure. hth.

I agree 100 on top of that the glass edges get polished to a point and those points chip and break even easier. If you make your top(where the glass box sits on) over hang the side panels, then you’ll bump into that instead of your tank when putting the doors back on.

 

[Jon's Reef]

Here is the look I am trying to emulate:

A rough sketch of the idea. Note that there would be ~1/4" between the top of the doors and the bottom of the tank (the thickness of the leveling mat)

Here is a detail of my tank

 

[Variant]

Here is the look I am trying to emulate:

A rough sketch of the idea. Note that there would be ~1/4" between the top of the doors and the bottom of the tank (the thickness of the leveling mat)

Here is a detail of my tank

How'd this pan out?