Building a tank, how hard?

[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...

YouTube Video

~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/article...c_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.