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AQUARIUMS
Recommendations
For small frameless applications using silicone refer
to Tables 2 and 3. Applications exceeding the largest dimensions
in each table should not use silicone as the main structural
support but instead, should consider steel framing to cope
with water pressure loads.
With regard to which type of glass to use in these applications, it is
recommended that annealed glass be used. The main reason is that upon failure,
an annealed glass panel may not totally collapse thereby providing time
to remove the aquarium contents safely. Toughened glass upon failure will
totally collapse making it highly unsuitable for such an application.
Laminated glass may not be acceptable due to edge delamination if water
makes contact with the PVB interlayer. For specialised situations though,
such as underwater observation panels, laminated glass may be suited due
to the tendency for the interlayer to hold the panels in place if impacted.
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Observation
Side Panels
Refer to Table 4 for situations where vertical annealed
glass is supported on all four edges, where the head of
water level does not exceed the top edge of the vertical
panel and the only loading imposed is water pressure. For
panels in swimming pools, large commercial aquariums and
other underwater observation situations where loads other
than water pressure exist and/or where the top edge of
the vertical panel is below the head of water level, special
engineering requirements are required to determine glass
type and thickness.
Example using Tables 4
Panel width = 2500mm
Panel height = 800mm
Glass required = 19mm
Sealants
Silicone used for small frameless glass aquariums such as in Tables
2 and 3, should be designed for these applications in accordance to manufacturers
recommendations. All silicone joints should be fully cured before aquarium
use. It is not recommended that acetic cure silicones be used with laminated
glass.
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