We bring to your attention perhaps the most accurate and reliable online aquarium glass thickness calculator. (video tutorial)
Given aqua calculator(aka aqua calculator, aka aqua calculator, aka aquarium calculator... in general, search robots will understand us) calculates not only the thickness and exact dimensions of aquarium glass, but at the same time gives some related values, which may also be useful to a master who is planning to make an aquarium with his own hands, such as: the volume and weight of the jar, approximate glue consumption and total cost of glass.
Our aquarium calculator was developed based on aquarium glass thickness tables, compiled by one of the most famous aquarists in the world - Hans Mailand. The main advantage of the Mayland table is its exceptional reliability, tested in practice in the operating conditions of our workshop for many years.
We, in turn, carried out (and still regularly carry out, as new data becomes available) the most thorough adjustment of the values of the Mailand table, supplementing it with the thickness of the glass of aquariums of the most famous European brands, such as Juwel, Aquatlantis, Ferplast, Eheim and others , which undoubtedly increases the accuracy of the program’s calculations.
enjoy aquarium online calculator very simple: enter the dimensions aquarium dimensions into the appropriate cells and get accurate sizes of all glasses(Scheme 1). The consumption of aquarium sealant is calculated automatically based on the thickness of the adhesive joint (Diagram 2). The program has the ability to change the size of the gap between the glasses, as well as a function to force the selection of glass thickness, which can be useful when gluing non-standard aquariums (for example, partially filled with water).
IMPORTANT!!! These values are valid ONLY in the presence of stiffening ribs and transverse ties. Open type aquariums (without stiffeners) are calculated using completely different algorithms.
03/22/2019 Improved function of dividing the bottom into parts
04/10/2018 Added the "Underfill" field
04/27/2017 A minor adjustment was made to the thickness table data.
04/22/2017 Effective length aquarium increased to 3000 mm.
04/10/2017 Added calculation of the cost of materials. Added calculation of arbitrary glass.
02/06/2017 Added automatic division of the bottom glass into parts if the length of the aquarium is more than twice the width.
02/04/2017 Added calculation of the sizes of stiffeners and transverse tie. Added calculation of silicone sealant consumption.
Metric: Multiply the length of the aquarium by its width and height, expressed in centimeters, to obtain its volume in cubic centimeters (cm3). Divide this value by 1000 to convert it to liters. 1 liter of water weighs 1 kilogram.
English system measures: Multiply the length of the aquarium by its width and height, expressed in inches, to obtain its volume in cubic inches. Divide this value by 277.36 to convert to English gallons. 1 gallon of water weighs 10 pounds.
The shape of the aquarium is also important. Fish usually swim horizontally rather than vertically, so the traditional elongated rectangular aquarium in the best possible way satisfies the needs of fish. Tall and narrow "towers" have relatively small area water surface. In fact, such aquariums are high-rise versions of small goldfish aquariums, considered a symbol of cruelty in our time. The value of an aquarium as a room decoration should not be determined by its shape, but by the attractiveness of the contents it contains. underwater world with healthy plants and fish.
Plexiglas (acrylic) aquariums are produced industrially, as are silicate glass containers. However, some stores offer quality glass aquariums that are custom made locally. Such aquariums can be cheaper because they do not include additional overhead costs (for example, transportation costs). It is advisable to check that it was new glass that was used to make the aquarium, and not old ones. window glass from the store. To do this, look carefully to see if there are any scratches on the glass. In addition, the glass must have required thickness, and the upper edges should be properly reinforced with sides (compare with an industrially made aquarium). Industrially manufactured aquariums often have a plastic frame, which is usually purely decorative (it covers the glass joints).
Stand
The aquarium stand can have different designs:
A special cabinet for an aquarium, usually made of wood. At the bottom there is a compartment for external equipment and storage of necessary accessories. For the living room, this is probably the most attractive option, but at the same time the most expensive. Make sure that the material and design of the cabinet is such that it can withstand the humidity and weight of a filled aquarium.
Welded stand metal profiles, usually painted black or white or with a plastic coating of the same colors.
Some piece of furniture or built-in furniture (shelf or sideboard). It must be strong enough to support the weight of the aquarium and water. If you have any doubts about this, seek professional advice.
Floor. This is not ideal option from the point of view of convenience of monitoring the aquarium.
At one time, some low-income aquarists made very good stands from concrete blocks or bricks stacked on top of each other, and placed a thick layer on top of them. strong board. Such “creativity” can be visually hidden.
The stand should have ideal flat surface, on which the aquarium is placed. Cabinets, as a rule, have a suitable surface, however metal stands and some pieces of built-in furniture (for example, a stone fireplace surround) do not have such a surface, so you need to put a solid base for the aquarium on top of them. A sheet of moisture-resistant plywood is best suited required sizes, intended for outdoor use or for use at sea, with a thickness of at least 1.25 cm. This type of plywood can be purchased at hardware stores and finishing materials. Do not use plywood intended for internal use, particle boards or wooden boards- they will swell and rot when drops of water get on them, which is almost inevitable.
In addition, the bottom of the aquarium must be protected with a polystyrene foam pad or thick fabric appropriate thickness and dimensions. The gasket will help compensate for any unevenness in the stand - without this precaution, the bottom of the aquarium may crack.
Lid
An aquarium lid is needed to keep the fish in the aquarium. Without a lid, some fish may jump or even crawl out of the aquarium - for example, representatives of families such as clariids and snakeheads. In addition, the lid prevents dirt from getting inside the aquarium and serves as a barrier for children and pets. On it are located lighting fixtures(see below). Sometimes it has sockets for connecting another electrical equipment. True, it is better to place such a “tee” outside the aquarium and protect it from the slightest danger of contact with water. Therefore, the presence or absence of additional sockets in the lid should not particularly bother you. As for aquariums sold with a stand, they usually have a lid of the appropriate size.
Most lids have a window that allows access to the aquarium. Make sure that the window handle has suitable sizes and shape - it should not slip out of your fingers if they are wet.
The lid should be equipped with built-in cover slips or plastic trays to collect condensate. This is necessary so that the evaporation of water is minimal, and the air space above the water surface has the same temperature as the water. This is especially important if you keep gourami and other fish that have additional respiratory organs that allow them to breathe atmospheric air. Make sure that the cover slips or trays allow access to the inside of the aquarium - otherwise you will have to remove the lid every time you want to feed the fish or change the water.
Some types of aquarium lighting require the aquarium to be left without a cover. In stores, aquariums are also usually kept without lids. Nevertheless, you still need to cover the aquarium with cover glasses, which also keep the fish in the aquarium, prevent dirt from getting into it, etc.
When an aquarium is placed in a living room, they usually find a place where it is clearly visible: opposite the chairs or sofa, to the right or left of the TV. Previously they thought that an aquarium needed daylight, but those days are gone. Modern light sources illuminate the aquarium from above, as happens in nature. This means that the placement of the aquarium is not related to the angle of light, but rather to the overall weight of the entire structure. Everyone can calculate how much an aquarium with all its contents will weigh on their own. But you need to take into account the total load on the floor, that is, the lower cabinet with all its contents and the aquarium standing on it (its own weight + gravel at the bottom + stones + water).
Light sources, especially if they are built into top cover, are also quite heavy, so you need to calculate their weight.
Total weight of different aquariums
| Aquarium dimensions Length x width x height in cm | Volume in kg | 15% premium for auxiliary elements | Total weight in kg |
| 40 x 20 x 25 | 20 | 3 | 23 |
| 50 x 25 x 28 | 35 | 5,25 | 40,25 |
| 60 x 30 x 33 | 59,4 | 8,91 | 68,31 |
| 70 x 30 x 40 | 84 | 12,6 | 96,6 |
| 80 x 30 x 42 | 100,8 | 15,12 | 115,92 |
| 90 x 40 x 45 | 162 | 24,3 | 186,3 |
| 100 x 40 x 45 | 180 | 27 | 207 |
| 100 x 50 x 50 | 250 | 37,5 | 287,5 |
| 120 x 40 x 45 | 216 | 32,4 | 248,4 |
| 120 x 50 x 50 | 300 | 45 | 345 |
| 120 x 60 x 65 | 468 | 70,2 | 538,2 |
| 150 x 50 x 50 | 375 | 56,25 | 431,25 |
| 150 x 60 x 65 | 585 | 87,75 | 672,75 |
| 180 x 60 x 65 | 702 | 105,3 | 807,30 |
| 200 x 60 x 65 | 780 | 117 | 897 |
| 250 x 60 x 65 | 975 | 146,25 | 1121,25 |
But the hardest thing is, of course, the aquarium itself with all its contents! That's enough good reason in order to seriously check the strength of the cabinet or cabinet on which it will stand. So how much does a full aquarium weigh? The calculation is as follows: volume in kg + 15% surcharge for additional elements, including the soil at the bottom. Here are some examples: As the size of the tank increases, not only does the volume in liters (kg) increase. By adding auxiliary elements and soil at the bottom, the total weight also increases. But one aquarium 120 cm long is not necessarily equal to another aquarium 120 cm long! The first (120 x 40 x 45) has a total weight of approximately 248 kg, while the other (120 x 60 x 65), more proportionate in design, reaches twice that total weight: approximately 538 kg.
What should you think about before buying an aquarium?
You need to ask yourself a few questions. What size aquarium can fit in your apartment, and can you afford it? What kind of fish would you like to have, big or small, freshwater or saltwater, tropical or cold water?
Another important point- It is highly advisable to choose a priority. If you want to create a beautiful underwater garden like a Dutch aquarium, then your home pond is AQUARIUM FOR PLANTS. The fish in such an aquarium are in the background, and, therefore, the vector of your activity should be aimed at creating optimal conditions for the plants, and there should be few (or no) fish at all, they should be hardy enough (be able to adapt to the needs of the plants: impurities in the form of fertilizers, excess carbon dioxide) and also, preferably, perform auxiliary functions (be able to clean the aquarium of algae).
Another option is AQUARIUM FOR FISH. In such an aquarium, the fish are in the foreground, the plants are unpretentious (or artificial). you create optimal conditions fish, even if it is harmful to plants.
If you choose the right combination of flora and fauna of the aquarium, sacrifice preferences, both the first and the second, to the extent possible, then you can achieve the creation decorative aquarium, in which both fish and plants will perfectly coexist, grow and reproduce. Of course, it is impossible to create optimal conditions for the most demanding fish or plants in such an aquarium, but, nevertheless, in my opinion, this type of aquarium is the most interesting and preferable for beginners.
The next stage: choosing the fish you like. For example, we photographed price tags with the name and cost of the fish we liked, and then looked up information about them on the Internet. Having collected an impressive list of fish, we gradually began to cross out those fish that were very troublesome to keep. Some fish cannot exist in our tap water, and we had no desire to regulate the pH and hardness of the water. Then we removed from the list those fish that fall outside the temperature range of 18 - 26 degrees. Further no less important stage: selection of those fish from the remaining ones that can get along with each other. Our final version of the filtered list is not ready yet, so I will publish it to you a little later.
When we have decided on the fish, we should select plants that would fit the one you specified. temperature regime and water composition, and were also compatible with your fish. (As you know, there are fish whose favorite pastime is digging. Plants with a weak root system will have a very hard time in this case. There are also fish whose diet includes, among other things, some plants. You should either not buy such plants , or exclude such fish from the list. You don’t want to see “cut” algae and their pieces floating on the surface in your aquarium :)
For an average aquarium (an average aquarium with a capacity of about 100 liters is considered), the number of species of fish inhabitants is usually 3-5 species, and varieties of algae 4-5.
The maximum permissible number of fish is calculated at the rate of 3-5 liters per fish measuring 3 cm.
And no less important stage - actually choosing an aquarium.
What to look for when buying an aquarium?
When purchasing an aquarium with a frame:
When purchasing a glued aquarium, you should pay attention to the following:
After a visual inspection of any type of aquarium, you must check whether it has any leaks. To do this, you need to place an empty aquarium on a newspaper, fill it almost completely with water and let it stand for 15-20 minutes. If the newspaper is dry, then paper napkin at each joint - even a small leak will immediately make itself known.
What should be the volume of the aquarium?
There is a rule that has not yet been refuted by anyone: than bigger aquarium in volume, the easier it is to achieve biological balance in it, the more beautiful and practical it is, the easier it is to care for and more fish you can live in it.
For living rooms The most suitable vessels are those with a volume of at least 50 and no more than 150 liters. Large aquarium measuring 100x50x50 centimeters and a volume of 250 liters can cause you big trouble. The glass broke and 25 buckets of water were on your floor. This is of course an extreme case, but anything can happen. It is better to have two aquariums of 80-100 liters each than one of 200 liters.
What materials are aquariums made from?
Aquariums are made of silicate (ordinary) and organic glass.
Which aquarium is better to buy: silicate or organic glass?
Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Decide for yourself.
Silicate glass
Advantages:
- high transparency;
- scratch resistance;
- accessibility.
Flaws:
- fragile, easily broken;
- heavy.
Organic glass
Advantages:
- insulates heat well;
- strong. If you want to break it, you will need a hammer or sledgehammer;
- lung;
- perfect transparency, maybe different colors and forms.
Flaws:
- requires careful care when cleaning (easily scratched);
- not suitable for external heating with an incandescent lamp;
- hard to find, overpriced.
Aquarium weight:
Everyone can independently calculate how much the aquarium will weigh along with all its contents.
But you need to take into account the total load on the floor, that is, the lower cabinet with all its contents and the aquarium standing on it (its own weight + gravel at the bottom + stones + water). Light sources, especially if they are mounted in the top cover, are also quite heavy, so you need to calculate their weight. But the hardest thing is, of course, the aquarium itself with all its contents! This is a good enough reason to seriously check the strength of the cabinet or cabinet on which it will stand.
So how much does a full aquarium weigh? The calculation is as follows: volume in kg + 15% surcharge for additional elements, including soil at the bottom.
Here are some examples: As the size of the tank increases, not only the volume in liters (kg) increases. By adding auxiliary elements and soil at the bottom, the total weight also increases. But one aquarium 120 cm long is not necessarily equal to another aquarium 120 cm long! The first (120 x 40 x 45) has a total weight of approximately 248 kg, and the other (120 x 60 x 65), more proportionate in design, reaches twice the total weight: approximately 538 kg. So it is not only the bottom cabinet, but also about the reliability of the floor (especially when beam floors in old houses): will they withstand such a load?
