How to build a small custom tank
- Thread starter shyshko08
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shyshko08
Member
Originally Posted by bpro32
http:///forum/post/3008211
do a google search for aqurium glass thickness and you will get some diy sites. or just search diy aquarium. I don't know much about this but I know it does not have to be tempered.
I found many sites on how to build them, but none of them say how thick it should be.
http:///forum/post/3008211
do a google search for aqurium glass thickness and you will get some diy sites. or just search diy aquarium. I don't know much about this but I know it does not have to be tempered.
I found many sites on how to build them, but none of them say how thick it should be.
shyshko08
Member
I got the dimensions I need but I'm having trouble calculating the dimensions of the panels that I need.
I wanted to build a small tank with the following dimensions:
31"(L) X 10"(W) X 15"(H) with a glass thickness of 1/4inch.
Can anyone help me figure out what size panels I would need to build it to these specifications?
I wanted to build a small tank with the following dimensions:
31"(L) X 10"(W) X 15"(H) with a glass thickness of 1/4inch.
Can anyone help me figure out what size panels I would need to build it to these specifications?
locoyo386
Member
Hi there,
Originally Posted by Shyshko08
http:///forum/post/3010288
I got the dimensions I need but I'm having trouble calculating the dimensions of the panels that I need.
I wanted to build a small tank with the following dimensions:
31"(L) X 10"(W) X 15"(H) with a glass thickness of 1/4inch.
Can anyone help me figure out what size panels I would need to build it to these specifications?
Well to start of, all glass aquariums do not have to be tempered. They use tempered glass to cut back on the thickness and weight of the tank. For the volume you want I would use glass and not tempered except the bottom piece. The 1/4" thickness is adequate for the sides. For the bottom piece. If you do not use tempered glass than you have to go with minimum 3/8" thick. I would recomend you use tempered and 1/4" thick, unless you are planing on drilling the bottom piece. Than use non tempered glass. Also you should be able to buy the glass at any glass shop place. Homedepot or Lowes might have glass, but they are most likely not the dimesnions you are looking for. Also if you are not a pro at it, I would not recomend you cut the glass yourself. It's not that difficult but it does take plenty of practice. If you have any further question let me know.
Originally Posted by Shyshko08
http:///forum/post/3010288
I got the dimensions I need but I'm having trouble calculating the dimensions of the panels that I need.
I wanted to build a small tank with the following dimensions:
31"(L) X 10"(W) X 15"(H) with a glass thickness of 1/4inch.
Can anyone help me figure out what size panels I would need to build it to these specifications?
Well to start of, all glass aquariums do not have to be tempered. They use tempered glass to cut back on the thickness and weight of the tank. For the volume you want I would use glass and not tempered except the bottom piece. The 1/4" thickness is adequate for the sides. For the bottom piece. If you do not use tempered glass than you have to go with minimum 3/8" thick. I would recomend you use tempered and 1/4" thick, unless you are planing on drilling the bottom piece. Than use non tempered glass. Also you should be able to buy the glass at any glass shop place. Homedepot or Lowes might have glass, but they are most likely not the dimesnions you are looking for. Also if you are not a pro at it, I would not recomend you cut the glass yourself. It's not that difficult but it does take plenty of practice. If you have any further question let me know.
locoyo386
Member
Hi there,
Originally Posted by beckto
http:///forum/post/3010298
Not sure if you wanted to use glass for a specific reason, but I built one out of acrylic. After much research I determined it was easier/cheaper than glass. Tons of info from google.
Not sure if the price of acrylic is cheaper than glass. I thought it was more expensive, specially for tanks that small. It also depends on what the intent use of the tank is.
Originally Posted by beckto
http:///forum/post/3010298
Not sure if you wanted to use glass for a specific reason, but I built one out of acrylic. After much research I determined it was easier/cheaper than glass. Tons of info from google.
Not sure if the price of acrylic is cheaper than glass. I thought it was more expensive, specially for tanks that small. It also depends on what the intent use of the tank is.
gypsana
Active Member
Originally Posted by Shyshko08
http:///forum/post/3010288
I got the dimensions I need but I'm having trouble calculating the dimensions of the panels that I need.
I wanted to build a small tank with the following dimensions:
31"(L) X 10"(W) X 15"(H) with a glass thickness of 1/4inch.
Can anyone help me figure out what size panels I would need to build it to these specifications?
Bottom = 30 1/2 " x 9 1/2"
Front = 31 " x 15"
Back = 31 " x 15"
2 Sides = 15 " x 9 1/2"
What kind of bracing do you have in mind?
http:///forum/post/3010288
I got the dimensions I need but I'm having trouble calculating the dimensions of the panels that I need.
I wanted to build a small tank with the following dimensions:
31"(L) X 10"(W) X 15"(H) with a glass thickness of 1/4inch.
Can anyone help me figure out what size panels I would need to build it to these specifications?
Bottom = 30 1/2 " x 9 1/2"
Front = 31 " x 15"
Back = 31 " x 15"
2 Sides = 15 " x 9 1/2"
What kind of bracing do you have in mind?
locoyo386
Member
Originally Posted by gypsana
http:///forum/post/3010333
Bottom = 30 1/2 " x 9 1/2"
Front = 31 " x 15"
Back = 31 " x 15"
2 Sides = 15 " x 9 1/2"
What kind of bracing do you have in mind?
with 31" long and only 15" tall, he doesn't really have to brace it.
http:///forum/post/3010333
Bottom = 30 1/2 " x 9 1/2"
Front = 31 " x 15"
Back = 31 " x 15"
2 Sides = 15 " x 9 1/2"
What kind of bracing do you have in mind?
with 31" long and only 15" tall, he doesn't really have to brace it.
gypsana
Active Member
Originally Posted by locoyo386
http:///forum/post/3010358
with 31" long and only 15" tall, he doesn't really have to brace it.
I would, on the top at least. The water pressure could potentially cause a leak and I would not want to risk that. Silicone can be weakened with a constant stress out upon it.
http:///forum/post/3010358
with 31" long and only 15" tall, he doesn't really have to brace it.
I would, on the top at least. The water pressure could potentially cause a leak and I would not want to risk that. Silicone can be weakened with a constant stress out upon it.
taznut
Active Member
i looked into both glass and acrylic before building my tank (48x36x18h) and the acrylic came out to be about a third of the price (and not to mention for my tank less than half the weight)... if you dont mind doing acrylic it is much cheaper and easier to put together... i used 3/8" and it was about $6.50 a sq ft.... the glass was $20 sq ft... and if you get the acrylic from a plastics place they cut it for you (they are perfect size and straight cuts)...
gypsana
Active Member
Originally Posted by taznut
http:///forum/post/3010393
i looked into both glass and acrylic before building my tank (48x36x18h) and the acrylic came out to be about a third of the price (and not to mention for my tank less than half the weight)... if you dont mind doing acrylic it is much cheaper and easier to put together... i used 3/8" and it was about $6.50 a sq ft.... the glass was $20 sq ft... and if you get the acrylic from a plastics place they cut it for you (they are perfect size and straight cuts)...
Sorry glass is not $20 a square foot unless it is thick and tempered and acrylic is more expensive than glass when you compare the same thicknesses. I would avoid acrylic unless building a large tank, scratches way to easily. For his size 3/8 is overkill, 1/4" will be sufficient.
http:///forum/post/3010393
i looked into both glass and acrylic before building my tank (48x36x18h) and the acrylic came out to be about a third of the price (and not to mention for my tank less than half the weight)... if you dont mind doing acrylic it is much cheaper and easier to put together... i used 3/8" and it was about $6.50 a sq ft.... the glass was $20 sq ft... and if you get the acrylic from a plastics place they cut it for you (they are perfect size and straight cuts)...
Sorry glass is not $20 a square foot unless it is thick and tempered and acrylic is more expensive than glass when you compare the same thicknesses. I would avoid acrylic unless building a large tank, scratches way to easily. For his size 3/8 is overkill, 1/4" will be sufficient.
locoyo386
Member
Originally Posted by gypsana
http:///forum/post/3010381
I would, on the top at least. The water pressure could potentially cause a leak and I would not want to risk that. Silicone can be weakened with a constant stress out upon it.
The brace at the top is to eliminate bowing of the tank. The bowing puts the glass in bending which can really be bad for glass. Also the water pressure is the highest at the base and zero at the top of the tank. Most aquarium silicone can handle (with ease) tanks that are 20 gallons and have a max height of 18". The only thing that might cause the tank (that small) to leack, is not applying the silicone correctly (ie., living air bubbles, not allowing to cure properly).
Also the smallest tank that I have seen braced is a 55. This is becuse it is 48" long and 21" tall.
http:///forum/post/3010381
I would, on the top at least. The water pressure could potentially cause a leak and I would not want to risk that. Silicone can be weakened with a constant stress out upon it.
The brace at the top is to eliminate bowing of the tank. The bowing puts the glass in bending which can really be bad for glass. Also the water pressure is the highest at the base and zero at the top of the tank. Most aquarium silicone can handle (with ease) tanks that are 20 gallons and have a max height of 18". The only thing that might cause the tank (that small) to leack, is not applying the silicone correctly (ie., living air bubbles, not allowing to cure properly).
Also the smallest tank that I have seen braced is a 55. This is becuse it is 48" long and 21" tall.
locoyo386
Member
Originally Posted by taznut
http:///forum/post/3010393
i looked into both glass and acrylic before building my tank (48x36x18h) and the acrylic came out to be about a third of the price (and not to mention for my tank less than half the weight)... if you dont mind doing acrylic it is much cheaper and easier to put together... i used 3/8" and it was about $6.50 a sq ft.... the glass was $20 sq ft... and if you get the acrylic from a plastics place they cut it for you (they are perfect size and straight cuts)...
Cool, there you go accrylic is cheaper. Did you have an easy time welding the pieces together, or was did it took some practice?
http:///forum/post/3010393
i looked into both glass and acrylic before building my tank (48x36x18h) and the acrylic came out to be about a third of the price (and not to mention for my tank less than half the weight)... if you dont mind doing acrylic it is much cheaper and easier to put together... i used 3/8" and it was about $6.50 a sq ft.... the glass was $20 sq ft... and if you get the acrylic from a plastics place they cut it for you (they are perfect size and straight cuts)...
Cool, there you go accrylic is cheaper. Did you have an easy time welding the pieces together, or was did it took some practice?
locoyo386
Member
Originally Posted by gypsana
http:///forum/post/3010401
Sorry glass is not $20 a square foot unless it is thick and tempered and acrylic is more expensive than glass when you compare the same thicknesses. I would avoid acrylic unless building a large tank, scratches way to easily. For his size 3/8 is overkill, 1/4" will be sufficient.
This is what my experience has been. I would agree that acrylic is better for larger tanks. Only if you plan to move them a few times. Otherwise I would still go with glass.
http:///forum/post/3010401
Sorry glass is not $20 a square foot unless it is thick and tempered and acrylic is more expensive than glass when you compare the same thicknesses. I would avoid acrylic unless building a large tank, scratches way to easily. For his size 3/8 is overkill, 1/4" will be sufficient.
This is what my experience has been. I would agree that acrylic is better for larger tanks. Only if you plan to move them a few times. Otherwise I would still go with glass.
crypt keeper
Active Member
You can get 1/4 inch thick crystal clear acrylic from Lowes. They will even cut it for you.
taznut
Active Member
Originally Posted by crypt keeper
http:///forum/post/3010453
You can get 1/4 inch thick crystal clear acrylic from Lowes. They will even cut it for you.
i work at lowes and it is much cheaper to have someone else do it... our 1/4" is 40$ for a 40"x32" piece
http:///forum/post/3010453
You can get 1/4 inch thick crystal clear acrylic from Lowes. They will even cut it for you.
i work at lowes and it is much cheaper to have someone else do it... our 1/4" is 40$ for a 40"x32" piece
taznut
Active Member
Originally Posted by gypsana
http:///forum/post/3010401
Sorry glass is not $20 a square foot unless it is thick and tempered and acrylic is more expensive than glass when you compare the same thicknesses. I would avoid acrylic unless building a large tank, scratches way to easily. For his size 3/8 is overkill, 1/4" will be sufficient.
this is what i was told by a place in town that cuts glass... it was 3/8" and not tempered....
and i think he should use 1/4", i was saying i used 3/8 for my 135gal (and i did so on my 55g sump even though it was probably overkill...
http:///forum/post/3010401
Sorry glass is not $20 a square foot unless it is thick and tempered and acrylic is more expensive than glass when you compare the same thicknesses. I would avoid acrylic unless building a large tank, scratches way to easily. For his size 3/8 is overkill, 1/4" will be sufficient.
this is what i was told by a place in town that cuts glass... it was 3/8" and not tempered....
and i think he should use 1/4", i was saying i used 3/8 for my 135gal (and i did so on my 55g sump even though it was probably overkill...
taznut
Active Member
i picked up a few pieces of acrylic to practice with but it really is easy if the pieces are cut correctly...
as for bracing... i agree you should go with 1/4" on either glass or acrylic... with the glass, there isnt a center brace on smaller tanks but they do have that plastic ring around the top (even on 10g)... with the acrylic you could put little strips (1-2") around the entire top... im not sure that it is completly needed but, IMO, it couldnt hurt anything...
as for bracing... i agree you should go with 1/4" on either glass or acrylic... with the glass, there isnt a center brace on smaller tanks but they do have that plastic ring around the top (even on 10g)... with the acrylic you could put little strips (1-2") around the entire top... im not sure that it is completly needed but, IMO, it couldnt hurt anything...