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regina13
Guest
Originally Posted by SCSInet
When I was 3 years old, I took apart my mother's hair dryer. My dad came home from work and saw it in pieces on the floor. He yelled at me, and I put it back together, gave it back to my mother, and she continued using it.
I hear that story all the time because apparently taking apart and reassembling a hair dryer successfully is a remarkable feat for a 3 year old.
When I was your age, I was building anything I could out of anything I could get my hands on, so you're talking to someone who doesn't see age as anything but a number when it comes to building abilities.
That said, just be advised that building a tank is a big undertaking, especially if it's your first (I don't know if it is or not) DIY project. People on this board will tell you that I can build just about anything, but I will tell you that I don't build tanks, and it's simply because the stakes are very high. You're dealing with lots of expensive materials, and a LOT of property damage since a potential mistake is more likely to happen wihen you DIY.
So I'm not saying don't try... just saying be aware of what you're getting yourself into if you do try.
Does your $400 budget include the tank only or is it for the entire system? $400 should get you a tank in the size mentioned, but it will not buy an entire setup.
By the way, Perfecto makes a tank in those exact dimensions... 60x24x18 (don't do 12", the lack of front to back space will make aquascaping a nightmare). PetSmart sells it under their Top-Fin line for about $320.
The 400 is for the tank and whatever else I can get... If all it will buy is the tank than that is all it will buy.
When I was 3 years old, I took apart my mother's hair dryer. My dad came home from work and saw it in pieces on the floor. He yelled at me, and I put it back together, gave it back to my mother, and she continued using it.
I hear that story all the time because apparently taking apart and reassembling a hair dryer successfully is a remarkable feat for a 3 year old.
When I was your age, I was building anything I could out of anything I could get my hands on, so you're talking to someone who doesn't see age as anything but a number when it comes to building abilities.
That said, just be advised that building a tank is a big undertaking, especially if it's your first (I don't know if it is or not) DIY project. People on this board will tell you that I can build just about anything, but I will tell you that I don't build tanks, and it's simply because the stakes are very high. You're dealing with lots of expensive materials, and a LOT of property damage since a potential mistake is more likely to happen wihen you DIY.
So I'm not saying don't try... just saying be aware of what you're getting yourself into if you do try.
Does your $400 budget include the tank only or is it for the entire system? $400 should get you a tank in the size mentioned, but it will not buy an entire setup.
By the way, Perfecto makes a tank in those exact dimensions... 60x24x18 (don't do 12", the lack of front to back space will make aquascaping a nightmare). PetSmart sells it under their Top-Fin line for about $320.
The 400 is for the tank and whatever else I can get... If all it will buy is the tank than that is all it will buy.
wattsupdoc
Active Member
9mm for a 5' x18in deep tank. Thats .35433 inches. Little over 1/3 of an inch. With a safety factor of 4.61. I have no idea what theat means.
But its a pretty good rating I suppose.
Really, building a tank is mostly about accurate cutting of the glass and detail in constructing it. It's not that big of a deal for you and your Dad. Once its cut all you need is a caulkgun, a tape measure and some planning. I'm really suprised to hear McGyver(scsi)
hasnt built one or 2 himself. I have an old 55 out back, that someone repaired. It looks like crap and I dont trust it. It's just sitting there waiting for me to rebuild it. Maybe this spring.
I have a couple acrylic builds planed for the near future. Mostly small stuff. A couple in bench custom water managment systems, as custom fuge, as well as a small mantis tank build. My point is, it aint a big deal if you do your homework first and do it right the first time.
Really, building a tank is mostly about accurate cutting of the glass and detail in constructing it. It's not that big of a deal for you and your Dad. Once its cut all you need is a caulkgun, a tape measure and some planning. I'm really suprised to hear McGyver(scsi)
acrylic51
Active Member
True....I think it's more than doable.....I just suggest talking to some actual good builders before taking on such a project only to get their recommendations as far as thickness, material prep, adhesives, cure times, and bracing requirements.....
I myself am actually planning a new build a 48"Lx48"Wx25"H cube tank, and have actually been consulting with a number of acrylic builders.....It has nothing to do with ability, but if you look around the aquarium hobby you'll see some tanks that are just under built by industry standards and are ticking time bombs.......There's a 1000 gallon acrylic done with 1/2", and it's held water for years, but has drawn major attention lately due to a crazing problem that is trying to be tied to the Vortechs.....(Waiting the outcome), but by several "top" builders that tank is underbuilt, (material thickness) and some builders either wouldn't build such a tank or put a warranty to it......I've seen a 4'x4' cube done in 1/2", 3/4" and 1". The thicker material you go the higher the price, but it also negates some of the cumbersome crossbracing and eurobracing required on some tanks. I'm planning 1" cast acrylic for the next build w/external overflows, and should be able easily to do it without crossbracing.
This is why I recommend just talking to a few builders to pick their brains, and they always throw ideas or solutions out there that we might have overlooked........Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I myself am actually planning a new build a 48"Lx48"Wx25"H cube tank, and have actually been consulting with a number of acrylic builders.....It has nothing to do with ability, but if you look around the aquarium hobby you'll see some tanks that are just under built by industry standards and are ticking time bombs.......There's a 1000 gallon acrylic done with 1/2", and it's held water for years, but has drawn major attention lately due to a crazing problem that is trying to be tied to the Vortechs.....(Waiting the outcome), but by several "top" builders that tank is underbuilt, (material thickness) and some builders either wouldn't build such a tank or put a warranty to it......I've seen a 4'x4' cube done in 1/2", 3/4" and 1". The thicker material you go the higher the price, but it also negates some of the cumbersome crossbracing and eurobracing required on some tanks. I'm planning 1" cast acrylic for the next build w/external overflows, and should be able easily to do it without crossbracing.
This is why I recommend just talking to a few builders to pick their brains, and they always throw ideas or solutions out there that we might have overlooked........Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wattsupdoc
Active Member
Originally Posted by acrylic51
True....I think it's more than doable.....I just suggest talking to some actual good builders before taking on such a project only to get their recommendations as far as thickness, material prep, adhesives, cure times, and bracing requirements.....
I myself am actually planning a new build a 48"Lx48"Wx25"H cube tank, and have actually been consulting with a number of acrylic builders.....It has nothing to do with ability, but if you look around the aquarium hobby you'll see some tanks that are just under built by industry standards and are ticking time bombs.......There's a 1000 gallon acrylic done with 1/2", and it's held water for years, but has drawn major attention lately due to a crazing problem that is trying to be tied to the Vortechs.....(Waiting the outcome), but by several "top" builders that tank is underbuilt, (material thickness) and some builders either wouldn't build such a tank or put a warranty to it......I've seen a 4'x4' cube done in 1/2", 3/4" and 1". The thicker material you go the higher the price, but it also negates some of the cumbersome crossbracing and eurobracing required on some tanks. I'm planning 1" cast acrylic for the next build w/external overflows, and should be able easily to do it without crossbracing.
This is why I recommend just talking to a few builders to pick their brains, and they always throw ideas or solutions out there that we might have overlooked........Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree!
You just cant overthink a tank build!
True....I think it's more than doable.....I just suggest talking to some actual good builders before taking on such a project only to get their recommendations as far as thickness, material prep, adhesives, cure times, and bracing requirements.....
I myself am actually planning a new build a 48"Lx48"Wx25"H cube tank, and have actually been consulting with a number of acrylic builders.....It has nothing to do with ability, but if you look around the aquarium hobby you'll see some tanks that are just under built by industry standards and are ticking time bombs.......There's a 1000 gallon acrylic done with 1/2", and it's held water for years, but has drawn major attention lately due to a crazing problem that is trying to be tied to the Vortechs.....(Waiting the outcome), but by several "top" builders that tank is underbuilt, (material thickness) and some builders either wouldn't build such a tank or put a warranty to it......I've seen a 4'x4' cube done in 1/2", 3/4" and 1". The thicker material you go the higher the price, but it also negates some of the cumbersome crossbracing and eurobracing required on some tanks. I'm planning 1" cast acrylic for the next build w/external overflows, and should be able easily to do it without crossbracing.
This is why I recommend just talking to a few builders to pick their brains, and they always throw ideas or solutions out there that we might have overlooked........Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree!
acrylics
Member
So Regina, how are the plans coming along?
If you decide you want to use acrylic, give me a shout - I'll do what I can to help you & your Dad with your tank.
I wish you you well in this project, always cool to see younger folks wanting to DIY, very inspiring to me. If you follow that path, someday...who knows what you can do
James
If you decide you want to use acrylic, give me a shout - I'll do what I can to help you & your Dad with your tank.
I wish you you well in this project, always cool to see younger folks wanting to DIY, very inspiring to me. If you follow that path, someday...who knows what you can do
James
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regina13
Guest
We will be attempting it this summer. We had to delay it because my dad knows a man who actually has built fish tanks before, but he goes to Florida for the winter.
He said he would help us for no charge so I am just going to hold off until summer.
He said he would help us for no charge so I am just going to hold off until summer.
acrylics
Member
Originally Posted by regina13
We will be attempting it this summer. We had to delay it because my dad knows a man who actually has built fish tanks before, but he goes to Florida for the winter.
He said he would help us for no charge so I am just going to hold off until summer.
Cool. Please do let us know how it goes.
James
We will be attempting it this summer. We had to delay it because my dad knows a man who actually has built fish tanks before, but he goes to Florida for the winter.
He said he would help us for no charge so I am just going to hold off until summer.
Cool. Please do let us know how it goes.
James
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regina13
Guest
Will do
