View Full Version : How easy is it to build a tank?
Say a 50 - 60 gal.
Just asking.
No big plans or anything.
:)
Grey Legion
04-09-2005, 7:10 AM
well you would need the following items...
glass cut to the right size...aqaurium safe silicone to stick it all together..and time to do the project...
not hard at all...but maybe you should check in your area for used tanks often they can work out to be the same price if not cheaper...
Kasakato
04-09-2005, 8:02 AM
Its easy. Getting all the glase square is a different story. :joke:
WharfRat
04-09-2005, 8:05 AM
I've built and repaired many tanks over the years and its not too hard..just be patient and make sure all the joints are square and well sealed. 1/4" isnt cheap so do a check on the price difference between buying a tank and building one.
RanchuRick
04-09-2005, 8:41 AM
I've built and repaired many tanks over the years and its not too hard..just be patient and make sure all the joints are square and well sealed. 1/4" isnt cheap so do a check on the price difference between buying a tank and building one.
Yeah, IMO DIY of basic tanks is not worth it. The cost saving does not justify the work and risk involved. They're not that expensive to begin with. Now if you need something custom built it's a different story.
Holly9937
04-09-2005, 12:45 PM
I asked a similiar question, maybe even on a different board, and I was pretty much discouraged. Try and find some websites that tell you how to step by step and see if its something you would want to take on!! What is a easy for one might be impossible for another, good luck if you decide to give it a try down the road!!
Thanks all, I'll do some research on the cost of 1/4 inch glass and check out the DIY tank sites. I think in the US it's probably cheaper to buy a 2nd hander. But in the UK tankks tend to get marked up a fair bit more so maybe it would be more worth it on this side of the pond. A 72gal tank is around £380 ($716) over here for instance.
johnnyxxl
04-10-2005, 8:46 AM
tanks here are running close to 2 dollars or more per gallon for normal sized things. Its quite bumming to find that something that has less than 20 dollars in materials is over a hundred dollars when all is said and done with still not sure why a 55 gallon tank is 100 dollars
RanchuRick
04-10-2005, 11:23 AM
"A 72gal tank is around £380 ($716) over here for instance."
Yikes - That tank is no more than $200 USD in Canada.
Kasakato
04-10-2005, 11:33 AM
Wow! Thats a lot! Iv seen 100g tanks for $175CAN before.
Wow! Thats a lot! Iv seen 100g tanks for $175CAN before.
Now that's good money. If that was the case round here I'd be laughing!
But with that in mind it's got to be worth looking into making a tank this side of the Altlantic.
tricksterpup
04-11-2005, 1:55 PM
Check out this Thread at the reeftank.com
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36063
This is a step by step thread on a 450 gal tank. he has his plans there and every thing. The thread is about 69 pages long though..
Tricksterpup, if found this:
http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/diytanksrefugiums/
it's got plans and instructions for many different types of aquariums, plus a link to a glass thickness calculator.
What do people think of this too?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3212&item=4370340445&rd=1
it's a link to where i can buy some really cheap aquarium sealant. It says it's expired but that sealant lasts for years. Is that true or does that sound dodgy?
Still haven't made any plans though. just thought it was a good deal incase i do decide to do it one day. plus it might be good to have about if the seals on my existing tanks start to leak.
tricksterpup
04-11-2005, 2:19 PM
Cloud,
From my knowledge, It would probably be far cheaper and easier in the long run doing a tank out of plexi glass. :)
I own a plexi glass tank, its cracked now, do to heat from my Metal Halid bulbs but I would pick another up in a heart beat or build another if I wanted a larger one for a reef or freshwater setups.
Plus it is really nice how Greg showed the people on the thread how he went about it and all the parts he picked up and the discussion from the thread in building his tank.
Not convinced with plexi glass. From what I've heard it scratches, and i'm worried about breakages. Glass is'nt too expensive round here.
But that guys log is deffinatelly good reading. and lots of things toi think about too. thanks :)
N8DOGG
04-12-2005, 12:14 PM
try www.reefcentral.com I've been over there reading about DIY tanks. There a a few people that have been building acrylic tanks for years and there is even a step by step thread.
On the DIY tank I wouldn't go small, the larger the tank that more bang for your buck. I plan on a 225 Gallon acrylic it will cost just under $300, plus time but I've got that, and I'm not in a rush. Its also going to be the measurements that will fit where I would like it. I might build a 75 gallon first but 48"l x 18"h x 20"W a little different than the standard but once again wider to fit my needs.
You can look in to plywood tanks, glass, and acrylic, cinder block, and see what will " fit " for where you want the tank.
tricksterpup
04-12-2005, 1:12 PM
You can look in to plywood tanks, glass, and acrylic, cinder block, and see what will " fit " for where you want the tank.
Oooo. now a cinder block tank, that aint going anywhere. ;) its there for life of the house, cant decide to tear it down and move it down stairs.
N8 - Can't find a link to tank building on there. But your 200+ project sounds really cool. you should keep a blog of your progress.
EDIT: found the D.I.Y bit. Was in the section cunningly marked 'Do It Yourself'. Doh!
Looks useful.
N8DOGG
04-12-2005, 2:23 PM
N8 - Can't find a link to tank building on there. But your 200+ project sounds really cool. you should keep a blog of your progress.
EDIT: found the D.I.Y bit. Was in the section cunningly marked 'Do It Yourself'. Doh!
Looks useful.
I will I'm just starting to get the funds back on the plus side and with a promotion coming (maybe tomorrow) I should be up and back running soon. :dog: I have the stand framed out just need to make it a few more inches longer and finish it.
Try this
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=390652
thats the point of the cinder block - if you have to live in a house for 30yrs why not have a very large tank thats there with you. ;)