Glass and Epoxy for a DIY Tank

[Jorel]

Gonna build a 125g plywood tank. Does the glass have to be tempered? And is Tank Clad HS epoxy good for the job? How many gallons of Epoxy do I need?

[dave76]

actually you dont want tempered glass as it is stronger but more brittle than normal plate glass....as for the rest I dont know.

[Oscar_Wild]

What are the dimensions of the tank you are going to build? I built 2 plywood tanks that are 48x24x24 125G. I'm not familiar with the epoxy you refer to, but I used 2 gallons of a 2 part epoxy from Devoe. I could have done the job with 1 gallon but I wanted 2 different colors. I put on 4 coats and alternated colors so I could be sure to get complete coverage. The face of the tank is basically a 3 inch frame. I consulted slipknottin when I was building mine and his recommendation on the glass was either 1/4" tempered, or 3/8" plate. I went with the 1/4" temp and it has worked out very well. They have been in use for right at a year without problems. I have some pictures of the building process and will post them shortly.

Oscar_Wild

[Jorel]

Thanks!

I would have never thought of alternating colors, really great idea! The tank will be 72x18x22. Just wondering, how much was the epoxy per gallon?

[dave76]

If you use tempered glass and put a real tank buster in there if he ever decides to take a run at the glass you may be in trouble.

[Oscar_Wild]

Dave, are you worried that tempered glass would shatter as opposed to just cracking with plate glass? I feel better knowing that a fish, rock, flowerpot, whatever, would have to hit the tempered glass a heck of a lot harder than it would plate glass.

Jorel, my epoxy paint cost $38.75 per gallon. I started with white, and alternated with blue for 4 coats, ending with blue.

I'll post pics today.

Oscar_Wild

[Oscar_Wild]

Here, the walls go together.

http://198.67.36.179/modules/mx_album/album_pic.php?pic_id=63

Here's the tank before cutting the front window.

http://198.67.36.179/modules/mx_album/album_pic.php?pic_id=64

After cutting the window.

http://198.67.36.179/modules/mx_album/album_pic.php?pic_id=65

First coat of epoxy.
http://198.67.36.179/modules/mx_album/album_pic.php?pic_id=66

and the second coat.

http://198.67.36.179/modules/mx_album/album_pic.php?pic_id=67

[dave76]

Plate glass can absorb more impact than tempered glass can. When it is created it is heated much more than plate glass is. This in turn makes the tempered glass "stronger", but as a byproduct also makes it more brittle. It works well as a bottom pane in most aquariums and is sturdy enough to uphold constant pressure put on it by rocks and other things. Plate glass on the other hand would crack and leak if used in this capacity. Thats why they use it for the front, backs and sides of glass aquariums. It can also withstand high impact that is put on by fish like Pacu where tempered glass as you have stated might shatter. Personally, I would much rather glass crack or have nothing happen to it at all instead of it shattering. That way I could potentially quell 125 gallons of water being in my floor. Bear in mind that I have no personal experience in building one of these aquariums. I have put much thought into it and have done a good deal of research and most of the places I have read suggest using plate glass instead of tempered. You maybe just fine in your use of tempered glass, and if you never experience any problems, kudos to you :) just my .02.

[Oscar_Wild]

I can see your point and would probably agree if I had experience with true tankbusters. The closest I come is my current 12" Oscar. Not really a tankbuster in my opinion.

[dave76]

I had planned to build one and put it in my wall but my wife would have no part of it. Its probably a good thing since I am not a carpenter, heh!