TankBuild
Glass Thickness Calculator
Build Your Dream Tank
Without the Nightmare
Calculate the exact glass thickness needed to prevent catastrophic failure. Used by over 50,000 DIY aquarium builders worldwide.
Tank Dimensions
Tank Volume: ~75 gallons
Recommended Glass Thickness
(approximately 1/2 inch)
~625
lbs water
0.76
psi bottom
~$180
est. cost
Why Glass Thickness Matters
Prevent Catastrophic Failure
Undersized glass can burst, causing water damage and loss.
Avoid Overspending
Oversized glass wastes money on unnecessary thickness.
Engineered Safety
Based on AS 1288 glass design standards.
Recommended Materials
Quality glass and supplies from trusted suppliers
Low-Iron Glass Panels
Crystal clear, minimal green tint
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Aquarium Silicone
100% reef-safe, black or clear
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Glass Cutting Tools
Professional scoring & breaking
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a safety factor and which should I choose?
The safety factor accounts for manufacturing defects, temperature changes, and unexpected loads. A factor of 3.8 is recommended for home aquariums. Public displays should use 4.0 or higher. Going below 3.5 significantly increases failure risk.
Should I use float glass or tempered glass?
Tempered glass is 4-5x stronger than float glass and breaks into small, safe pieces rather than dangerous shards. However, it cannot be cut or drilled after tempering, so you must order exact sizes. For most DIY builds, high-quality float glass with proper thickness is sufficient and more cost-effective.
Can I use this calculator for saltwater tanks?
Yes. Saltwater is approximately 2.5% denser than freshwater, but this difference is negligible for glass thickness calculations. The pressure increase is minimal compared to the safety margins built into the formula.
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