Building a tank, how hard?

[Jarob]

Ive been wanting to get a new tank for some time now but cant ever seem to find one I like dimension wise, I like shallow long and wide. Ive also always wanted to give a shot at building one, have done some research, but dont know how feasable it is having NO tools or anything.

How hard/practicle would it be to build my own tank? Im thinking around 40"x18"x16" as just a rough dimension idea. I would just order the cut glass through a local shop here in corpus and have a go at constructing it myself. Anyone with experience or any idea please let me know what you think!! Also, if anyone would ever want to help me build one:bigsmile: lemme know.

Thanks!

Jarob

[StevenSeas]

Hey a 30 Breeder is close to those demensions only 36 long.... If you come up to SA for a weekend I will help u build one, been playing with the idea myself, maybe we can build 2, mine would be of similar deminsions

[StevenSeas]

actually a 30B is 36x18x12 and a 40B is 26x18x16

[Jarob]

Oooo Ive never really looked at a 30B, Ive always liked 40br's but eh just not for me I dont know why. I def. do NOT want trim on it and I want an overflow so it has to be drilled. REALLY I would like a 48" long tank but I think the glass would be expensive to build say a 48x16x16 or someting

[StevenSeas]

Well my take on tanks that come w/ a trim but no brace dont really need the trim...so far its worked on my AGA 30 gallon (fingers crossed)\
http://glasscages.com/?sAction=ViewCat&lCatID=46
they have a 50 long and 65 on there that have around ur demensions.

[StevenSeas]

the longer you go the thicker the glass so ya it would be a lot more to build a 48 inch tank

[Jarob]

Hmm I might go with that 65g 48x18x16... but no way would I pay $75 for them to drill it and add an overflow...

[RayAllen]

I heard of both success and failure when it comes to building your own tank. Goodluck guys!

[RayAllen]

Too ad onto the above, personally the way I see it. Aquarium builder/manufactures have special tools and media they use. I consider myself a DIY guy but I would never trust a glass aquarium built by me.

Jarob you could always purchase from glass cages and then have someone local drill it for less. Ive bought from glass cages and was very happy with my tank.

[RayAllen]

Maybe ACE will chime in on this. He built a large tank himself and had some issues...

[Gilbert]

Hey a 30 Breeder is close to those demensions only 36 long.... If you come up to SA for a weekend I will help u build one, been playing with the idea myself, maybe we can build 2, mine would be of similar deminsions

I was just about to say the say thing about a breeder being about those dimensions

[hobogato]

haha ray, your first post made me laugh as i had failure and success with the same tank build! that was a 180 gallon and i used glass that was not thick enough on the advice of someone who i thought knew what he was talking about. after adding some extra bracing on the top it did fine for the rest of the short time we had it set up. it really isnt that difficult, and i think you will be fine as long as you dont go too big.

[aggman]

hey jarob i have a calculator thing that i downloaded that gives the thickness required for different safety ratings. and i put in the dimensions and the thickest you would have to go is 10mm [~3/8"] with no eurobracing.

also glasscages sells the glass and silicone. so you could build a glasscages tank yourself with the same materials they use.

also check this out...

t-lE_Wn9Z3Y

~alex

[glennr1978]

I've been researching this subject off and on for the last few years and from what I've gathered, it's not all that hard if you're fairly handy. I'm thinking about asking James at GCR if he will build me an acrylic tank, he seems to have it down pretty well. I'm probably going to go with somewhat similar dimensions, 40"x21"x17". Roughly the same volume as what you're wanting to do. I've been torn between the depth at 20" or 22" so I decided to just go with 21", same for the height at 16" and 18", lol.

[Jarob]

Great info Alex thanks a ton!!

Thanks for all the input everyone. I like that 65 glasscages tank, wonder if I could build that for less that 220..

[Jarob]

Haha Glen everything you just said is what I did/want to do. Already asked James once if we could build one, he said sure but I think he forgot and Im not gonna bug him while hes so busy. Those dimensions you listed Im still debating too, 20" does sound better than a depth of 16". AND Ive also been reading about it for a few years, just never can commit to it, I actally ordered the glass to build a 18" cube but then cancelled it because I got cold feet!

[chunkymonkey]

Although I support the LFS completly, I also recognize the times when we need to save some money at times or have the desire trying to do something ourselves. Good luck if you attempt the build, post up pics!

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_acrylic_aquarium.php
http://www.duboisi.com/diy/BNdiytank/bndiytank.htm

there are some other links out there that give you the custom dimensions pending the gallon you'd like.

[ReefOne]

you can build a glass/pvc bottom tank. One guy posted on reefcentral on the bonding. I'm thinking about giving it a try so i can start building those tanks also, but only in small tanks, IE 65 gallons and less.

[ismvel]

Is there a point where it becomes cost effective to make your own tank?

Let's say a 36 x 36 x 12 tank (front and sides starfire)....would it be just as cheap to have someone like glass cages make it for you than to purchase the glass yourself and try your hand at it?

And do local glass shops sell starfire, or is this primarily used for aquarium applications?

[ErikH]

Glasscages is inexpensive, but you have to call them to find out when they come to San Antonio because last time I checked SA was not on the delivery date list.

[ReefOne]

I've seen glasscages, you get what you pay for. Maybe it was the tank i saw, but the edges were off and it really looked like a diy tank. I mean it was cheap, alot cheaper than a comparable custom tank.

[aggman]

Is there a point where it becomes cost effective to make your own tank?

Let's say a 36 x 36 x 12 tank (front and sides starfire)....would it be just as cheap to have someone like glass cages make it for you than to purchase the glass yourself and try your hand at it?

And do local glass shops sell starfire, or is this primarily used for aquarium applications?

building your own small tank is more for the accomplishment not the financial. you have to buy the materials at retail, even shops that claim wholesale pricing are marking it up-unless they are manufacturing the glass. you will end up paying more than to just buy one from a aquarium builder. when size increases exponentially, then so do the savings.

now i am no expert, but this is the idea i get when reading all the diy pages on multiple forums.

~alex