building my own tank

Marvin

Marvin

MyPetPugMilo
Dec 17, 2003
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Irvine, CA
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Can anyone tell me what type of glue i can use to piece together the glass walls and base? I order glass directly from the glass manufacturer and can get whatever size i need. I eventually want a larger tank 75 or so but want to start small (maybe 20g or so.)

Also does anyone know if there is a formula for how thick the glass needs to be in relation to tank size.

Last thing, Sealant??? what type of sealant should i use?

Thanks
 
for glue you can use silicone, just make sure it's safe.
check out kingvinnies or garf for dyt tips
 
Are you wanting to build your own tank to save money, or get a custom shape? It's actually not cost effective until you get to the big tanks--more than about 200 gallons.

However: http://www.garf.org/ under DIY:Tank building will help you out with plans and supply lists.
 
Interesting place (garf.org), Thanks.

One more thing, is 12" wide too narrow for a FOWLR or Reef tank?

Planned size is 24-30" h x 12" d x 64" L

Oh, I wanted to build this myself because of the awkward size of the area and because i thought it would be a good learning experience.
 
12 inches won't leave you with a lot of space for live rock, and will restrict you on fish--tangs, puffers, lions, triggers, large angels, many wrasses, most butterflies--any fish that gets about 8 inches or bigger--won't work. I prefer tanks with more surface area than that will give you as well--you're really restricting the amount of surface area by going that narrow, and that too will limit the amount of fish you can keep, even with a larger volume of water.
 
Please advise further.

the space where the tank is going is between my kitchen and dining room. It basically is a 12" thick wall with a large cutout about 38" from the floor. Dimensions are about 12" x 64" long x 42" high. A custom tank will look really good there. I know 12" is small but that is all the space i can go (maybe 14-16 if i get really creative).

Im still new to this hobby but i like it so much.

As for the tank size. I currently have 2 clowns, a powder blue, a yellow tang, and a golden head goby. I plan to get another LMB (my other one didn't make it) in the future. I will add some coral later (not much though).

Heres the question? Should i spend the time (it will be alot of time and money) for something that is only 12" wide?

Thank you
 
For those fish, I wouldn't. If you could put in a support that would allow you to go up to about 18 inches, then it would be okay. The 12 inch width won't be enough for the tangs.
 
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