Need expert opinion on new build

[Bacon505]

Im planning on upgrading my tank from planet aquarium. My current tank is build by them. I want to do the same style, rimless with plastic bottom trim(see pix) but larger scale of 60x30x21”H. They said 1/2” thick glass is ok but recommend 3/4”. The 3/4” cost me 3k for the build. Im wonder if 1/2” would be ok without issue since the tank is only 21”H. My other idea is either euro brace or center brace.
My concern is the integrity of the tank if i go with 1/2” thickness.
Although my tank hight is 21” with the 2 big drains, the water displacement is 2” therefore the water hightinside the tank is only 19”

 

[dbl]

My opinion, although may not be an expert one, is to follow the recommendations of the people making the tank. If you're okay with the euro brace, ask them their opinion on the 1/2" thickness with the brace. It may very well work and save you some coral money.

 

[ihavecrabs]

I have a 60x30x20 glass tank with Euro bracing and my glass is 12mm (just shy of 1/2").

 

[Ashish Patel]

I went through same thing when building my tank. 3 reputable manufactures I spoke to wouldn't even consider doing anything less than 3/4" glass for rimless. The manufacture I went with mentioned alot of tanks are made with specs before Vortechs and gyres pumps. Also, going with a SPS dominant system is also another factor one has to consider since this is additional turbulent flow. Ive seen a tank on youtube with 1/2" thick rimless (over 200gallons) and the front panel was bowing right from the start.

I want my tank to be solid from day 1 to year 15 so I am happy I went with a eurobraced. There is no maintenance on eurobraced no salt creep buildup and its clearly can handle all my pumps on which is over 90X turnover. The tank size you mentioned would bow for sure at 1/2" rimless. Hope this helps

 

[mtraylor]

My 255 is rimless. Its 3/4" glass. A must IMO. Mine is all glass and edgeless. Aquarium is Made by AGE. I have seen bowed glass like people are talking about above. They wanted something (The Look) for less, and that is what they got. I have seen some from China that are super thin (Unbelievable). They bow, but the question is, how long will they last. If it were me.... I wouldn't be trying to save money on that decision. JMO. The 2 best options I think are.... Either get the thick glass, so you don't have to worry about a failure on a rimless tank..... or get a braced tank if you want to save the money. To me that would be the more stable decision. Who wants to worry about that all the time, when you are supposed to be enjoying your reef. Not to mention keeping up the responsibility of keeping everything alive.

On the other hand if you want to take the risk of a failure to save a few bucks, then that will be up to you. Hope that helps you a bit to make a decision.