DIY tank

[canucksfan1]

Just out of curiosity is it possible to build a tank the same way everyone builds plywood tanks, but use glass on all 4 sides??? just use like 4x4 posts in the corners notched so the glass meets in the corner, and use plywood on the bottom??? I will try to draw up what i am thinking later to clarify it a bit.

Oh and in case you were wondering why i am asking is because i have a 540 gallon tank build onto a steel stand (the bottom is actually a piece of steel) and i was thinking about making a new tank out of it

 

[canucksfan1]

k well here is a sketch (sorry it is kinda crappy) anyway 4x4 post in the corners notched to fit glass, then 2x4's around the top and bottom for support and like a frame, then plywood on the bottom.

 

[Winterose]

idk if it would work or not but if i were trying it i would frame it all like separate window things. so it would almost bew like you were gluing together 5 windows? if that makes sense

 

[Lil_Stinker]

Just out of curiosity is it possible to build a tank the same way everyone builds plywood tanks, but use glass on all 4 sides??? ...

I am thinking it can work, but screwing through glass might be tough. :help:

Seriously though, you may want to make a (wood) frame for the bottom..

you wouldn't want a blowout

 

[canucksfan1]

yeah that is a good idea, it would need to be very strong the glass is 2x 7 feet by 3 feet, and 2x 3.5 feet by 3 feet

 

[LesbianChap]

Making a brace system like that will in no way reduce your need for thick glass to support the weight of the water...but the wooden frame would basically replace the plastic frame in AGA and similar commercial tanks...make sure you properly size your glass and silicon it well.

 

[canucksfan1]

i have the tank already, it is 3/4 thick tempered glass, like i said it is built onto a steel stand, and a piece of steel is the bottom of the tank. I want something a little nicer so was thinkin about buiding my own just not sure how to build an all glass aquarium that big, thus the 2x4s

 

[jmhart]

You could do that. However, you would need to silicone all the glass together. To get a tight seal you'd need clamps to hold the glass together while it dries...and if you do that, you don't need the wood.

So, basically, you can do it, but there's not much point once the glass is properly siliconed.

 

[canucksfan1]

so a tank that is 7 feet long and 3.5 feet wide made of 3/4 inch glass needs no frame??? well i guess it will need one on the bottom for the plywood

 

[jmhart]

Glasscages does it all the time. You need good sealant and thick glass.