My 430 gal build

[808_fairladyz]

I actually started this build about 2 months ago. I'm about 1 month away from filling. Currently I'm laying the second layer of fiberglass mat and resin. First layer, I used 7.5 oz cloth. Second layer is with chop mat and resin. Last layer will just be resin with a blue pigment for color. All layers are full coverage, not just seams. My aquarium is made of 3/4 inch plywood. I used 2 1/2 inch screws and wood glue. Aquarium has one front viewing hole and two access holes. Front viewing material is tempered 3/8 glass measuring 90x24 inches. Aquarium is 96Lx34.50Wx30H. Stand was made entirely out of 2x4 wood and 2 1/2 inch screws. Questions? Lets have em.


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[808_fairladyz]

First picture of fiberglass and resin was an old one showing 24 oz cloth and 7.5 oz cloth. 24 oz cloth was overkill and was not used. 7.5 oz is pictured, but chop mat is not. If anyone wants to see what chop mat looks like, just let me know.

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[mdlnewman]

Looking great so far.

 

[chris_todd]

Wow, can't wait to see this in action!


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[YSS]

Good luck. What are you planning on keeping?

 

[verbal]

Yeah definitely looking forward to seeing the rest of the build.

 

[cabinetmkr39]

Ok I'm going to ask, I know everybody is thinking the same thing as I. why only 3/8 thick glass ? My 150 gal has 1/2" glass.

 

[808_fairladyz]

Ok I'm going to ask, I know everybody is thinking the same thing as I. why only 3/8 thick glass ? My 150 gal has 1/2" glass.

That's a valid question and 1/2 inch glass would definitely have been the better choice. The only real response I have for that is, it was a cost issue. I hope it doesn't end up becoming a mistake to regret, but to be honest, I'm not overly concerned about it. 3/8 was recommended as minimum, but was told that 3/8 tempered glass is plenty strong being 24 inches high. Low traffic area but nothing's for sure until you're there I guess.

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[808_fairladyz]

Good luck. What are you planning on keeping?

I have one silver Arowana and two Achara Catfish waiting for their new home. Also one pleco, but no more than that.

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[808_fairladyz]

Ok I'm going to ask, I know everybody is thinking the same thing as I. why only 3/8 thick glass ? My 150 gal has 1/2" glass.

That was a good question that I wondered myself when I started. I'm not a carpenter or some fish keeping guru, but if I can help just one person, than all my time, money, and energy will be worth it. Keep the questions coming if you have em.

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[verbal]

Does using tempered glass decrease the required thickness?

 

[808_fairladyz]

Does using tempered glass decrease the required thickness?

Can't say for sure, but it's supposed to be stronger, doesn't shatter when It cracks, but I'm not a glass specialist. Automotive windshields are made of tempered glass. Maybe someone else maybe able to chime in on that one as I do not know the specifics in regards to different types of glass variations.

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[808_fairladyz]

Update for today, I just finished applying a layer of chop mat and resin to the back of my aquarium. Results was very good. Got really good consistent resin penetration. Very few small bubbles. I do though now have only about 8 oz of resin left so I'll have to wait till next week Thursday to pickup more. I already went through 3 gal and will need two more. I should've just bought the 5 gal bucket. Well, the next two aquariums I build will be half the size @ 210 gal. Won't need so much resin than.



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[YSS]

I wouldn't want to gamble with that much water. I would want to make sure that the glass is thick enough. I am not saying it is not, but I wouldn't want to wake up to 430 gallons on water on the floor.

 

[808_fairladyz]

I wouldn't want to gamble with that much water. I would want to make sure that the glass is thick enough. I am not saying it is not, but I wouldn't want to wake up to 430 gallons on water on the floor.

Point taken, unfortunately glass was ordered already @ 221.00. Frett not my friend, for I am not worried. Thanks for your feedback, I really do take them into account.

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[killakacti]

3/8s Tempered glass will have the same strength of 1/2 plate glass.

The use of tempered glass in this situation is a good idea due to tempering strengthens the bow or flex capacity of the glass. This is the same reason some tank manufacturers use tempered glass on the bottom.

Tempered glass does shatter when it breaks just like the side and back glass of a automobile. Plate glass cracks and breaks into shards. windshield glass in your whip (lol) is laminated glass, which is 2 pieces of plate glass with a epoxy in the middle to keep the shards held together when it breaks.

Hope that helps clear up any glass questions. I worked in a glass shop for several years out of school, helps out being in this hobby.

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[808_fairladyz]

3/8s Tempered glass will have the same strength of 1/2 plate glass.

The use of tempered glass in this situation is a good idea due to tempering strengthens the bow or flex capacity of the glass. This is the same reason some tank manufacturers use tempered glass on the bottom.

Tempered glass does shatter when it breaks just like the side and back glass of a automobile. Plate glass cracks and breaks into shards. windshield glass in your whip (lol) is laminated glass, which is 2 pieces of plate glass with a epoxy in the middle to keep the shards held together when it breaks.

Hope that helps clear up any glass questions. I worked in a glass shop for several years out of school, helps out being in this hobby.

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Great information, I do not know alot about glass. I made a few calls and asked many questions before settling on the glass that I ordered. I don't feel like I'm gambling. Granted, I did want to go 1/2 inch but cost difference here in Hawaii between 3/8 and 1/2 inch was substantial. Originally my aquarium was supposed to have been 36 inches high, but had been reduced just to lesson the pressure on the glass. This concern was brought to my attention earlier in my build by another member and sounded like a good idea to me. Thanks.

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[Hawkman2000]

3/8s Tempered glass will have the same strength of 1/2 plate glass.

The use of tempered glass in this situation is a good idea due to tempering strengthens the bow or flex capacity of the glass. This is the same reason some tank manufacturers use tempered glass on the bottom.

Tempered glass does shatter when it breaks just like the side and back glass of a automobile. Plate glass cracks and breaks into shards. windshield glass in your whip (lol) is laminated glass, which is 2 pieces of plate glass with a epoxy in the middle to keep the shards held together when it breaks.

Hope that helps clear up any glass questions. I worked in a glass shop for several years out of school, helps out being in this hobby.

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Another thing people sure be aware of, Plate glass is rigid while tempered is more flexible (not noticeably), but does make a difference. Also, tempered glass will shatter (more like explode) when you hit the edges. The impact resonates through the pane like a sound wave and causes it to shatter. I had a pane of tempered glass explode on me when I set it down (gently) on its edge on 3 layers of 1/2 inch carpet pad. Not cool. Big boom.

 

[808_fairladyz]

Another thing people sure be aware of, Plate glass is rigid while tempered is more flexible (not noticeably), but does make a difference. Also, tempered glass will shatter (more like explode) when you hit the edges. The impact resonates through the pane like a sound wave and causes it to shatter. I had a pane of tempered glass explode on me when I set it down (gently) on its edge on 3 layers of 1/2 inch carpet pad. Not cool. Big boom.

I'll keep this in mind being that I need to travel 200 miles round trip to pickup glass. I was going to build a rack with thick carpeting that will allow me to transport glass standing upright on it's side without being able to move side to side. Does that make sense? I can see it clearly in my head.

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[Avatar]

My money's on your success

I was going to build a rack with thick carpeting that will allow me to transport glass standing upright on it's side without being able to move side to side. Does that make sense?

That's the way the pros/installers do it. Which island by the way - am guessing 200 miles puts you on the big island - either because it's that far to Oahu or because you're on the far side it from where your glass arrives. Or are you talking round trip from Oahu to Kauai/Maui?