How overbuilt are aquariums?

[Corn-Picker]

None of the manufacturers I've seen give weight capacities for their aquariums. 6" of wet sand and lots of rockwork add up the weight really quickly.

I've been looking at new tanks, and the 96 gallon corner with built in overflow from All-Glass is quite attractive. However, as can be seen per their diagram, theres no bottom braces.

Aquarium size is 48x34x24

That's a large area of glass to have unbraced. Add lots of sand and rock, and I would be concerned about breakage. Anyone ever break an aquarium by putting too much in it?

 

[Gealcath]

It depends on how the wieght is destributed, its why most aquariums are placed on a stand or some type.

 

[QCppg]

I wouldn't think that sand and rock would be too much heavier than the water... Anyways glass is a very strong material, as long as it's not a point load. If it was evenly distributed a piece of 1/8 inch tempered glass could easialy handle several hundred pounds.

 

[Gealcath]

1gl of water = 8lbs


so that 96 gl aquarium will have 786lbs of water alone, as long as its evenly distributed along the base, the glass with is usually temperd can hold around 1-2000lbs (depends on supporting structures as well)

 

[gcvt]

All-Glass aquariums are extremely strong - I'd worry a LOT more about the stands than I would the aquariums themselves.

 

[caz]

the bases are designed to distribute alot of the weight to the edges and corners arent they?