Tank Build Suggestions Please.

I was looking for critiques on this... it is something that came up the other day. It would be all made out of 1/4" glass, not acrylic.

The 1" bulk head is of course at the bottom of the overflow and the two 1/2" bulk heads are for the return from the sump. I know it is rather shallow but this is just on paper for now and I was wondering if the bulkheads/overflow would be sufficient for ~41g build.

I'm figuring the overflow would be approximately 600gph and the return pump would probably push around 750gph after head loss so it would, of course, be restricted on the return.

Let me know what you think, all dimensions are in inches. Anyone experience with drilling glass? The returns are 7.5" from the sides and centered about 2" from the top of the tank.

Ideas, suggestions welcome. I know it is shallow and only about 10" of water after you lose 1" from the top to the overflow and another 1" for the sand bed. I was actually looking for something that was more spread out rather than vertical like most other tanks. For instance a 10g is only a foot tall and it is plenty of height to work with. Also it is rimless as the plans show. The overflow may even end up being 11.5" tall if it ever makes it to fabrication. I have the ability to make it, just not the confidence yet. If anyone sees anything I've obviously done wrong in the design just says so.

My main reason for shallow was to keep the cost of lighting down.

Thanks for all of your time.

 

My first thought was that 1/4" glass would be too thin for a 24" tank wide tank. You might want to call a tank fabricator and ask them to give you a quote. As a part of that they will give you all the specs, including the glass thickness required.

Additionally, you might want to go to a 1.5" bulkhead for no other reason than why not go a little bigger.

 

My research lead me to think that thickness was more dependent on height than width. You are right that the strength of 1/4" might be on the low side but at 12" height the 3 foot sides don't fall below 3.4 in safety factor(3.8 recommended) and 2' around 3.6. I am also planning on supporting the whole bottom aside from a small area for the overflow bulkhead. Some people think 3.8 is overkill though. I've been thinking about the thickness as well though. Pretty sure 1/4" should be okay but if I fabricate I could push it to 3/8" just in case.

I have considered 3/8" and 1/2" as well.

As for the bulkhead I was afraid of the overflow draining too quickly causing a lot of extra noise. At 41g though 15x's turnover per hour might not be totally sufficient for SPS. A 1.5 can flow like 900gph bringing the turnover close to 22x's which could end up being more desirable. However I have to look at the slower the water flows through the sump the longer the heater, skimmer, and chaeto have to work with the water for filtration purposes.

Eh... I can change it later if I feel lucky lol.

 

Interesting...
My input?
1. Skip the worry of building a tank and buy one. Tanks really are not very expensive, all things considered.
2. Buy a glass hole saw (locally or from glass-holes dot com) and do a bean animal type overflow.
3. Then you can DIY a sump

 

Not really an option for me to buy the tank from a manufacturer. I priced one and it was 10 times more expensive to buy it than to make it based on the quote I got for the glass precut to size. Just something to think about.

 

I also planned to drill all of the holes myself. I already have the diamond hole cutter.

 

Height is one component, but the width plays a factor too, especially when you move the thing. I would recommend 3/8" at a minimum.

Most the noise I've experienced has been from too small a bulkhead - they don't allow enough air in and gurgle as a result.

Actually the opposite is true. The slower the water, the less efficient those items are.