Worried about glass thickness

[zbrusko]

So the WB Eden 105 has 10mm glass in the front/back/sides and 12mm on the bottom. The similarly dimensioned reef tank from WB has 12mm glass all around. I have an Eden on order to use for saltwater. Should I be concerned about this glass thickness difference? Why are they different?

 

[UncommonSense]

What are the differences in overall dimensions between the two models?

 

[luis angel]

Why are they different?

The glass on the bottom of an aquarium is usually ( not always ) thicker than the glass on the sides, front and back to withstand the static water pressure. Water pressure increases with depth, and since the bottom of the aquarium is at the lowest point, it bears the greatest pressure.

 

[zbrusko]

The freshwater is 48.1" × 25.3" × 23.6" and the saltwater is 48.2" x 25.3" x 21.7" LxWxH which is odd because the saltwater lists as 102 gallons vs 105 for the fresh. Prerhaps fill height is different. I am having the freshwater tank drilled & overflows installed. Is one rimmed & the other rimless, perhaps?

 

[zbrusko]

The glass on the bottom of an aquarium is usually ( not always ) thicker than the glass on the sides, front and back to withstand the static water pressure. Water pressure increases with depth, and since the bottom of the aquarium is at the lowest point, it bears the greatest pressure.

Both are 12mm at the bottom. I’m curious why they are different (10 vs 12) on the other panels, and if that suggests I should not use the freshwater tank for saltwater.

 

[luis angel]

Both are 12mm at the bottom. I’m curious why they are different (10 vs 12) on the other panels, and if that suggests I should not use the freshwater tank for saltwater.

Different companies = different qualities maybe?

 

[UncommonSense]

Both are 12mm at the bottom. I’m curious why they are different (10 vs 12) on the other panels, and if that suggests I should not use the freshwater tank for saltwater.

We saw Red Sea update their short side panes from 10mm to 12mm between gen1 and gen2… In their case though, it was for the alarming seam failure outbreak!

Could your 10mm glass be tempered, vs the 12mm?

Edit: another possibility; the freshwater tank is likely targeted towards entry level hobbyists, and is thus built down to a price point?

 

[zbrusko]

Different companies = different qualities maybe?

Same company

 

[MikeReefs]

Saltwater is heavier than fresh and more dense. Maybe the extra thickness is to compensate for that

 

[zbrusko]

We saw Red Sea update their short side panes from 10mm to 12mm between gen1 and gen2… In their case though, it was for the alarming seam failure outbreak!

Could your 10mm glass be tempered, vs the 12mm?

Edit: another possibility; the freshwater tank is likely targeted towards entry level hobbyists, and is thus built down to a price point?

I think the FW has top braces, whereas the SW is totally rimless. Price points are pretty similar. Less than 10% difference & saltwater includes a sump.

I am probably fine using the FW tank for saltwater, I just know saltwater is heavier, so more pressure? Just 11th hour panicking!

 

[zbrusko]

Saltwater is heavier than fresh and more dense. Maybe the extra thickness is to compensate for that

Right - so should I not use the FW tank for my reef? That’s my concern.

 

[UncommonSense]

Right - so should I not use the FW tank for my reef? That’s my concern.

The water weight difference is under 5%… if you’re that worried, just go bare bottom and save 100-200lbs there!

If the freshwater tank has top braces, especially; the 4ft pane is the big question mark…

are those listed dimensions inside, or outside dimensions? There’s a calculator for this!

 

[mh0ward]

I'm a big fan of UNS and the closest thing to the Waterbox Eden 105 that they have is their R120. It's about twice the cost, but they use 15mm all around.

 

[UncommonSense]

This is for your listed freshwater tank dimensions.

It assumes a completely open glass box, no eurobracing, rim(s), or other bracing… and no tempered glass! — it also assumes the water line is to the tank overflow point.

 

[Idech]

I think the FW has top braces, whereas the SW is totally rimless. Price points are pretty similar. Less than 10% difference & saltwater includes a sump.

I am probably fine using the FW tank for saltwater, I just know saltwater is heavier, so more pressure? Just 11th hour panicking!

I used my 75 gallons Seapora for saltwater for 2 years and never had a problem. AFAIK most tanks are not made for freshwater or saltwater especially.

 

[zbrusko]

The water weight difference is under 5%… if you’re that worried, just go bare bottom and save 100-200lbs there!

If the freshwater tank has top braces, especially; the 4ft pane is the big question mark…

are those listed dimensions inside, or outside dimensions? There’s a calculator for this!

Not sure about inside or outside dimensions. Here are the direct links:

https://waterboxaquariums.com/products/infinia-reef-150-4
https://waterboxaquariums.com/products/eden-x-105-fled?_pos=5&_fid=4d10fffac&_ss=c

 

[UncommonSense]

Not sure about inside or outside dimensions. Here are the direct links:

https://waterboxaquariums.com/products/infinia-reef-150-4
https://waterboxaquariums.com/products/eden-x-105-fled?_pos=5&_fid=4d10fffac&_ss=c

Yup, those are outside dimensions, the calculation I screenshotted should ring true then!

 

[zbrusko]

It is my understanding that you can’t drill tempered glass, so the bottom pane must not be tempered. No clue about the others. I’m sure this is a non issue. Otherwise, we’d be hearing about Waterbox failures.

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

You could always email them and ask. I’m not sure anyone here can answer with bay kind of certainty.

I personally imagine it’s fine.

 

[UncommonSense]

It is my understanding that you can’t drill tempered glass, do the bottom pane must not be tempered. No clue about the others. I’m sure this is a non issue. Otherwise, we’d be hearing about Waterbox failures.

You are correct!

Tempered glass CANNOT be drilled, it will pop into tiny pieces… don’t ask me how I know…

I’m actually a bit surprised to hear that WB doesn’t use tempered bottom panes… it must be relative to the full pane support of the stand on a tank with no bottom rim…