DIY 72x15x15 glass sump thickness?

[level16gazebo]

I have a 72x15 space for a sump in my stand. I want to build a 72" sump with compartments for ATO and dosing as well as a generous fuge and frag rack area, as well as room for a 12" skimmer.

Can I get away with 1/4" glass since I'll be cross-bracing it with the baffles and such? 3/8" is three times the price here.

 

[Ratherbeflyen]

I would use 1/4" glass for a 15" tall tank, the catch is going to be the bracing. There is no way it would be strong enough to span all 72" with no bracing. If you had a baffle every 12" it would be overkill. How big a span do you want to go between braces/baffles? Is eurobracing some or all of the sump an option?

Check out this site for a rough thickness calculator.
http://www.garf.org/tank/buildtank.asp

 

[level16gazebo]

Honestly, I don't think I'd mind a baffle every 12". Fuge, frags, skimmer, return/reactors, ATO, dosing.... 6 12" compartments to work with sounds grand.

 

[level16gazebo]

I actually found a lead on some 4x8 sheets of 1/2" acrylic for 50 bucks though, so it may all be moot. It's beat up, but it's not like I need the sump be optically perfect.