Tank

[Relly Sans]

I would like to build myself a tank. Would anyone be interested in giving me some guidelines such as glass thickness, rules of construction, how to set up the support frame and what type of metal to use.
My tank will be in the basement because that's where i reside. I would like to shoot for a 72"Lx25"Wx34"H
Would tempered glass be the move? How do I calulate for the filtre? The spacing for the stands beams would be? Should the columns be 4x4?

 

[slipknottin]

Is the metal going to be an outside frame? and only the glass is in contact with the water? With thick enough glass all the way around (5/8" or 3/4") you dont even need to use bracing. The silicone is all you need to keep the tank together.

Are you going to be using glass for all sides of the tank and the bottom? Have you considered making a tank that is entirely made out of plywood and the front is the only piece of glass?


Anyway, for the front glass, you want to use either 1/2" tempered glass or 5/8" untempered glass. Tempered glass cant be drilled or cut once it is tempered.

Im not entirely sure what you mean by "calculate for the filter". What type of filter are you considering?

And for the stand, you could put a beam every 18". 4x4 beams will be much stronger but not entirely neccessary. You could double up the 2x4s on each end and the stand will be plenty strong.


http://www.garf.org/ will show you plans for different types of DIY tanks and stands. A great resource.

 

[Relly Sans]

the frame will be outside. Only the surface of the glass will touch the water. For the life of me I'm incapable of comprehending how the silcone is the only thing needed to hold the glass together having been filled with water and tank inhabitants. Do you mean just for the seal so the water will not leak? Thank You very much for the website headsup, I appreciate the gesture. That plywood tank sounds like a joke you guys are running on newbies. I don't know as I have not purchased a filter yet any leads for a tank like that. You guys are truely envaluable to us, My God richly bless you.

 

[slipknottin]

Oh no no, plywood tanks are real. You coat the plywood with marine epoxy (like what they use to seal boats and pools) and it holds water. That website I gave you the link to earlier will show you how to build the tank if you would like. They are much less expensive than the equivelant size all-glass tank.

Silicone is not only a sealant but also an adhesive. It can and does hold tanks together on its own. You need to use thick enough glass so it doesnt bow out and cause too much stress on the silicone.


If you still want to use the metal frame, I suggest you talk to a local welder. Unless you have the cash to pay for a stainless steel frame, I suggest you make it out of regular steel and have the frame powder coated.

You could also use a galvanized steel for the supports, but you need to be extra careful that it doesnt get too wet.