Tank i built this weekend

[Ryanstech]

The glass is 6mm 1/4". This is the reason i stay at 15 inch width and 18" height. The bottom is 1/2". I euro brace and cross brace to increase the safety factor. Im building myself one that is 144x15x18. For the 72x15x18 - 85 gallon i charge $125.

cool! thats a good deal and a good service you offer! where are you located?

 

[JAY973]

Very Cool! Man why can't my neighbors be this crafty.

 

[glasman]

Im in Louisville Ky.

 

[Ryanstech]

I'll have to keep your contact info handy, Louisville is a quick trip south from me. worth the drive for a custom built tank like this!

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

Is the 1/2 on the bottom really necessary as it is the most supported panel? Provided of course that support stand is strong and level. 1/2" can be a special order budget killer even for DIY.

 

[xsdbs]

The glass is 6mm 1/4". This is the reason i stay at 15 inch width and 18" height. The bottom is 1/2". I euro brace and cross brace to increase the safety factor. Im building myself one that is 144x15x18. For the 72x15x18 - 85 gallon i charge $125.

Looks big for 84 gallons and I noticed you made it only 18" high which has allowed you to use 1/4" plate glass which I believe is much cheaper and much more readily available, smart move.

The low height really saves on the glass thickness. Your project sparked my interest and I found out that you can increase the width by factor of 100% or to 30" for 168 gallons and still use 1/4" glass with a safety factor of 2.5.

Now Im interested in building wide tank like that with only 1/4" glass. But I probubly would go with more traditional bracing so I could fit my standard filters systems. Obviously you have a large sump in mind.

I have always been curious about building a tank and was curious how to make sure about the right thickness of glass to use. I would want to go something like 60x30x30. I can only go to 60" because it is built into a wall with bookshelves on each side.

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

http://www.theaquatools.com/building-your-aquarium

 

[glasman]

Let me explain the 1/2" bottom. Lets say the footprint is 48x18. I cut one piece of 1/4" 48x18 and a second piece 47.5x17.5. I glue the 2 pieces together, leaving a nice 1/4" lip around the whole perimeter, making it very easy to hold the remaining pieces in place while they are sealed. So by using 2 pieces of 1/4", i keep the material cost down.

 

[glasman]

Here are some more tanks i built in the past month or so.

 

[Slappy*McFish]

Nice. Learn to make stands/canopies and you have a cool little business going there.