Calculations for Bottom Glass Panel:

There is a small difference when calculating the bottom panel thickness. Beta is now calculated from the Length/Width (where the length L is the larger dimension - therefore L/W is always >=1). The Height is still used to calculate the pressure. Be sure to use the Bottom Panel Alpha/Beta values.

The thickness of the bottom glass (t) is proportional to the square root of width factor (beta) x height (H) cubed x 10-5 / allowable bending stress (B), - the same as the side panels.

t = SQR (beta x H^3 x 0.00001/5.05) in mm

Select beta and alpha from the previous chart based on the length to width ratio.

The deflection of the glass is proportional to (alpha x water pressure (p) x 10-6 x Height^4) / (Modulus of elasticity (E) x Thickness (t)cubed).

Deflection = (Alpha x p x 0.000001 x H^4) / (69000 x t^3) in mm.

Example: (Warren’s new tank)

Aquarium Length = 3000mm
Aquarium Width = 900mm
Aquarium Height = 950mm
Safety Factor = 3.8 L/W>3 therefore Beta = 0.7134 and Alpha = 0.1335

p = 950 x 10 = 9500N/m2

Bottom Thickness:
t = (SQR (0.7134 x 950^3 x 0.00001) / 5.05)

= 34.8mm

Deflection = (0.1335 x 9500 x 0.000001 x 950^4) / (69000 x 34.83^3)

= 0.355mm