Building a tank?!

NanaReefer · Dec 2, 2013

I'm seriously considering building my own 45g (24x24x18) cube tank. A reefer friend sent me a couple of links. One to buy the proper glass & one with directions.
My question is, is it as easy as the building instructions show? Has anyone here on R2R ever built or witnessed one being built?
Please share your experience with me. I really NEED to upgrade but am on such a tight budget. Talk about a money saving way to go bigger!

bige · Dec 2, 2013

In my experience it's not cheaper to build your own tank. But I have built many tanks and sumps. It's very easy. The build itself takes a few minutes. The prep is where the time is spent.

NanaReefer · Dec 2, 2013

bige said:
In my experience it's not cheaper to build your own tank. But I have built many tanks and sumps. It's very easy. The build itself takes a few minutes. The prep is where the time is spent.

How is it not cheaper? A 45g rimless cost hundreds from most I've looked at before delivery! Where 5 pieces of glass, sealent, masking tape and a caulking gun total $150
Could you please be more specific in your findings? Thanks

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Reefing Madness · Dec 8, 2013

If you can get the glass that cheap, then go for it. Company's that make tanks get glass alot cheaper buying it in bulk, and when we try to piece it together it cost a bunch. Gotta use Starfire Glass also for the front and sides, not regular glass, as Starfire is alot clearer, and much better if your building your own.

NanaReefer · Dec 8, 2013

How does it cost a bunch piecing it together?

Reefing Madness · Dec 8, 2013

I've planned out a 125g tank, and the bottom piece alone is close to $150. Its not cheaper for me to build my own.

Ron Reefman · Dec 9, 2013

I just built a 4' x 22" x 16" rimless frag tank (about 70g) and the glass cost $250. What would that cost from a commercial builder or a retail store? Glass Cages says $310 plus shipping. Retail is much more. I used 3/8" thick glass and didn't use starfire because I'm looking down into the tank, not through the glass. The local supplier cut it and the fit was 100% perfect. The build isn't hard, but experience helps. This is my 2nd build, the first was a 2' x 18" x 10" frag tank. I used 4 corner clamps at the top and 2 long clamps to squeeze the long sides into the short sides. I block the bottom with 6 small blocks of wood to keep the glass from moving further onto the bottom glass than I want.

scubaman · Dec 9, 2013

IMO unless your using 3/4" thick glass or thicker, there is no need to do starfire/low iron glass. Empty, you can definitely tell the difference. Once you have water in the tank, there is very little difference with the thinner glass. Not worth the extra dime if you ask me.

Would you mind sharing the link to the build?

revhtree · Dec 9, 2013

Go for it and document it here at R2R!

NO pressure!

mainereefer · Dec 9, 2013

you can get a 50g (24"x24"x20") rimless starphire cube complete setup for $500 shipped (tank,stand,sump, plumbing, pumps, skimmer....)

unless you are doing it just to do it...... its cheaper to buy and have the warranty