Trapezoid aquarium

[binklez]

Im looking at getting a custom aquarium. It will be a trapezoid shape with the front viewing panel being the largest.

The question is: Is this a safe thing to do given the below dimensions.

Front panel 144 inches
Back panel 58 inches
Height 29 inches
Depth 28.5 inches

Im having it professionally done and they don't see a problem making it but was looking for general thoughts.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Interesting. Will you have it Euro braced both top and bottom? I guess if I had that done, and built by a pro that gave it the engineering 'go ahead,' I would.

 

[UncommonSense]

Awesome! I’ve always wanted to build a tank like this…

Assuming you want it in glass, the biggest challenges you’ll run into are the cost of oversized glass panes for the bottom pane and front viewing pane, with both being <10ft long, and the actual structural glass:glass silicone joints for vertical glass panes!

— regarding the latter, the target for a strong silicone seam is maximizing the glass contact patch with each of the glass panes being connected! With this tank shape, at least the side vertical panes will actually need their mating edges cut or ground to odd angles (not possible using traditional score/snap glass cutting methods)…

— conveniently, @Joe Glass Cages has some experience with custom glass edge angles, and can probably help you out here!

(As an aside, the 29” height isn’t unreasonable, but is on the taller end; taller tanks require thicker material to be structurally sound, and thus get much more expensive for equal footprint!)

 

[binklez]

Interesting. Will you have it Euro braced both top and bottom? I guess if I had that done, and built by a pro that gave it the engineering 'go ahead,' I would.

That is a good question. Im still in the information gathering phase. I am assuming it will be braced but I am going to ask.

 

[binklez]

Awesome! I’ve always wanted to build a tank like this…

Assuming you want it in glass, the biggest challenges you’ll run into are the cost of oversized glass panes for the bottom pane and front viewing pane, with both being <10ft long, and the actual structural glass:glass silicone joints for vertical glass panes!

— regarding the latter, the target for a strong silicone seam is maximizing the glass contact patch with each of the glass panes being connected! With this tank shape, at least the side vertical panes will actually need their mating edges cut or ground to odd angles (not possible using traditional score/snap glass cutting methods)…

— conveniently, @Joe Glass Cages has some experience with custom glass edge angles, and can probably help you out here!

(As an aside, the 29” height isn’t unreasonable, but is on the taller end; taller tanks require thicker material to be structurally sound, and thus get much more expensive for equal footprint!)

It is going to be expensive. I was a little sticker shocked but the more research I do the more I understand. Especially that big front panel.

I got a quote from a local place first but wanted to do some due diligence and ask some of the bigger companies like custome aquarium and waterbox.

Waterbox said it wasn't safe, hence my queation.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

Awesome! I’ve always wanted to build a tank like this…

Assuming you want it in glass, the biggest challenges you’ll run into are the cost of oversized glass panes for the bottom pane and front viewing pane, with both being <10ft long, and the actual structural glass:glass silicone joints for vertical glass panes!

— regarding the latter, the target for a strong silicone seam is maximizing the glass contact patch with each of the glass panes being connected! With this tank shape, at least the side vertical panes will actually need their mating edges cut or ground to odd angles (not possible using traditional score/snap glass cutting methods)…

— conveniently, @Joe Glass Cages has some experience with custom glass edge angles, and can probably help you out here!

(As an aside, the 29” height isn’t unreasonable, but is on the taller end; taller tanks require thicker material to be structurally sound, and thus get much more expensive for equal footprint!)

Thanks so much @UncommonSense

Yes, we can build this. Pretty cool tank.

for the best success, we desire to build these tanks with 90, 45 and 135 degree angles only.

Here to help.

 

[binklez]

Thanks so much @UncommonSense

Yes, we can build this. Pretty cool tank.

for the best success, we desire to build these tanks with 90, 45 and 135 degree angles only.

Here to help.

I believe those angles are pretty close to 45/135 (proposed tank)

Is there a specific reason those angles specifically?

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

I believe those angles are pretty close to 45/135 (proposed tank)

Is there a specific reason those angles specifically?

absolutely. great question.

we can machine those angles and machine polish those angles. Makes a precision fit.

Let us know how we can help next.