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Re: Tank glass



BigMat55 at aol_com wrote:
> 
> Recently some talked about building their own killie tanks and I had asked
> about the type of glass and did not see a response.  Can someone tell me if
> single strength window glass is strong enough for these small tanks.

Possibly, but double-strength would increase their longevity,
considerably. The glass cost, compared to the work involved, isn't a
great place to save, IMHO.

> 
> I would also like to build some about 12 L x 6 H x 8 W, about 2 1/2 gallons
> and believe the tanks I built many years ago were of single strength but my
> memory fails me now.  Any comments would be appreciated.

Same deal. Double-strength for smaller tanks, and thicker than that for
10G and up. The thicker glass gives more edge to bond, as well as
resistance to minor bumps. I'm sure the single-strength would hold the
water pressure for 2.5G tanks that you describe. Thinner glass is
reasonable, only if you have the commercial injection-molded tank frames
to protect all the vulnerable edges.

I'm still looking for a small plastic extrusion, shaped sort of like a
question mark rotated 90 degrees ccw, for making rims with a soft inner
lip to hold the cover glass. Another way of describing it would be a "U"
channel that fits the tank glass with a side flange as shelf for the
cover glass. Vinyl would be ideal, or polyethylene.

If a cheap variety could be found, it would be nice for making the
bottoms, too. Inset the bottom glass on it, just like on the better
grade of commercial tanks. It would prevent chips, and put the load in
compression, entirely on the sides, eliminating stress breakage in the
bottom pane if the shelf was slightly uneven.
     ___
    |   |   <---- The extrusion I want looks like this, in cross
section.
    |   |___           

Any ideas or sources?

Wright

-- 
Wright Huntley, Fremont CA, USA, 510 494-8679  huntley1 at home dot com

One big difference between a Libertarian and a Republocrat is the 
Libertarian knows it's not a waste to vote against a Demopublican. 
                   http://www.self-gov.org/
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