Building a glass aquarium

E

Esoter1c

AC Members
Dec 26, 2006
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Hello everyone!

Im planning to build myself an aquarium sometime in the next month or two, and I have a couple questions that if anyone can help me with would be great!

First is how the glass pieces fit together...
Im wondering whether all 4 sides sit on top of the base, or whether they are supposed to be fitted against the base. I've seen conflicting reports on the internet, and unfortunately since all my tanks have the black base around them I cant check for myself.

Second is does silicon go inbetween the seams of the glass to fit them together, or just on the inside as a seal? Once again, conflicting reports on the internet.

And lastly, is how to support the base, is the pressure only supposed to be on the sides, or can I safely place the aquarium on the stand by itself. Or would it be a better option to support the sides, and then place foam underneath the middle of the tank?

Thanks!
 
Yeah that answers the first 2 questions, but I'm still confused as to which would be the best, as I have read so many different things, does anyone have any firsthand experience??
 
I have built a few, and have aways used the same metheds without any problem...hopefully this will help...

1-the sides sit between the front and back,and all 4 sit on top of the bottom
2- yes, a thin bead (I alway tape the inside so I can clean-up the squeeze out, I remove the tape and apply a good bead at all the inside seams after the whole thing is together)
lastly-I never tried it...always had some sort of frame...

here is a link to my last project http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=91209
 
redswi said:
1-the sides sit between the front and back,and all 4 sit on top of the bottom
2- yes, a thin bead (I alway tape the inside so I can clean-up the squeeze out, I remove the tape and apply a good bead at all the inside seams after the whole thing is together)
lastly-I never tried it...always had some sort of frame...
Click to expand...

I built (or my dad did) a 75G tank when I was like 15 yo. As Red stated, this was exactly how we did ours.

The frame we used was cut and bent from a solid piece of black iron in a "L" shape that went over the top and the bottom. There was no other support, and we placed this on a iron stand that had no center support. We had saltwater fish in there for 5-6 years and then moved and sold it to a neighbor.

Also, we used 1/2" glass. Overkill, but you could hit the thing and it wouldn't go anywhere! :)
 
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