Glass

[Seawitch]

For an article:

Do we have any glass experts on the forum? Glaziers or scientists?

If you've built your own aquarium, tell me what kind of glass (and thickness) you used and why. And your tanks dimensions.

Thank you

 

[Flippers4pups]

For an article:

Do we have any glass experts on the forum? Glaziers or scientists?

If you've built your own aquarium, tell me what kind of glass (and thickness) you used and why. And your tanks dimensions.

Thank you

Bump. I do know that low iron glass is more scratch resident than high iron glass.

 

[Ocelaris]

I think that low iron hardness is debatable, but I have seen numbers to counter that common assumption. There are a number of threads out there with very detailed information. I would search for the members if you have specific questions. Otherwise to answer the op, yes, but they're not always prowling the exact forum.

 

[Water Dog]

Bump. I do know that low iron glass is more scratch resident than high iron glass.

I always thought that it was the other way around... that float glass was more scratch resistant than low iron glass. Am I mistaken?

 

[dantimdad]

I have talked with several glass companies over the years.

Iron is added to glass to keep it from sagging as bad and to increase the scratch resistance.

That being said, low iron glass will give a bit more before shattering and that is perceived as being stronger.

I have built hundreds of aquariums in glass, fiberglass, concrete and plywood over the years.

Ask away if you have questions. I made a lot of mistakes and learned from them. I also had a deep well of experienced folks to dip into over the years.

 

[Seawitch]

I have talked with several glass companies over the years.

Iron is added to glass to keep it from sagging as bad and to increase the scratch resistance.

That being said, low iron glass will give a bit more before shattering and that is perceived as being stronger.

I have built hundreds of aquariums in glass, fiberglass, concrete and plywood over the years.

Ask away if you have questions. I made a lot of mistakes and learned from them. I also had a deep well of experienced folks to dip into over the years.

DING DING DING, We have a winner!

@dantimdad When you're building a tank, do you recommend resting the side panels on the bottom panel or having the bottom panel inside the side panels, so that all 5 pieces of glass are resting on the ground.

What type of silicone do you use?

When you order glass, do you ask for the edges to be sanded?

 

[dantimdad]

OK, Let's answer these by number:

1... Well, that depends. On small builds (30 gallons or less) I don't think it matters if the sides are on top. For larger builds, I like to surround the bottom AND eurobrace the bottom. I have done completely floating bottoms that only the sides rest (like GARF recommends in their tank calculator) I really, really don't like them. One little bump and you get a chip that leads to a crack.

2...I have switched to this: https://www.amazon.com/Clear-Aquari...GK12BGMP4NM&psc=1&refRID=5YNF5HNXJGK12BGMP4NM
As of about 3 years ago and love it! I was using a specific brand of RTV108 and they started having quality issues and now it's not available anymore so that point is moot.

3...Nope! This is called seaming and it adds to the expense. If you have good gloves (A MUST!), a random orbit sander and discs, you can seam the glass yourself.

Let me add something here:

I cannot stress enough: SAFETY FIRST! Wear eye protection, gloves and, if you are seaming yourself, a dust mask. Silicates in glass can and will cause breathing issues long term. Even touching glass that has not been seamed on an edge can really do damage to you, WEAR GLOVES.

I have a scar on my hand where a piece of meat got cut off by glass and I literally cauterized it with a soldering iron because I lived in the boonies and it was bleeding so bad.

EDIT: I Forgot the pic of the scar:



I hope this helps!

 

[dantimdad]

I should mention, that since I went to bottom inside and eurobraced, I haven't had a single blow out or leak. That was 1996 when I first did this. Also, any tank over 40 gallons, I always use a thicker bottom than the sides. So I use a spreadsheet tool that I have had for years and get the side thickness and go up one for the bottom.

 

[Backreefing]

Hello this may be a stupid question, but can a scratch inside the aquarium ( glass ) be rubed out with something (wax? ) to lessen or eliminate a scratch?
The scratch got there because a single gravel was under a magnetic alge scraper .

 

[Backreefing]

Bump