DIY Glass rimless build

[iani]

Just for fun my friend and I (Geoff) decided to try to build some glass tanks. I am unsure what I am going to do with mine, but my friend will be setting up his tank as a display. Another friend Eric is the one behind the camera, he took all the pictures and helped build the tank. Thanks also to Craig for getting the glass.

Specs
My tank
24x24x20" 10mm glass 3 sided starfire
10x2" slot cut out on back glass for external overflow
12x6x5 external box
double pane bottom

Geoff's tank
31x31x18" 12mm glass 3 sided starfire
10x2" slot cut out on back glass for external overflow
12x6x5 external box

Supplies
Acetone
RTV 103
Angle squares from rockler
Lots of towels
Painters tape
gloves
double stick tape

So far we have just worked on my tank first. Since his was bigger we figured we should do my tank first and learn from our mistakes.

Angle squares from rockler

Taping off glass

Setting glass on angle squares with double stick tape

Glass all set up

Deciding on how to start

Back side before cleaning

Front side

Side view

Mistakes
Pull tape off faster
We did not pull the tape fast enough which messed up the insides of the seams. We ended up having to strip the inside seams add more silicone and form the inside bead with out the tape. I used the pro-caulk tool which actually worked really well.

Use MORE silicone than you think you need


We still have to put the external overflow box up. I will post more pictures as it comes together. I'll also post some progress we have working on the bigger tank.

 

[wishntoboutside]

wow Ian, great job regardless. any dentist tools used in the project? jk.

keep in mind i recall Ian living in an upstairs condo. tagging along on this one. thanks for sharing with us all too.

 

[kuyatwo]

Did you drill and cut the glass for the external overflow

 

[Troylee]

Great job!!! I love these threads were you build in the house..lol
my wife hates it.. I can't get away with that no more so it's the shop or garage for me... I had my fun indoors thou at one time..:)

 

[BayCorals]

Looking good Ian. Great work!

Was the glass expensive? Polished edges?

 

[iani]

wow Ian, great job regardless. any dentist tools used in the project? jk.

keep in mind i recall Ian living in an upstairs condo. tagging along on this one. thanks for sharing with us all too.

Richard it was done at my friends place. At his house in SF, you should see how lopsided his garage is hahaha.

Did you drill and cut the glass for the external overflow

It was cut at the glass shop to my specs.

Great job!!! I love these threads were you build in the house..lol
my wife hates it.. I can't get away with that no more so it's the shop or garage for me... I had my fun indoors thou at one time..:)

Thanks man. It was funny doing it in doors. No other option though.

Looking good Ian. Great work!

Was the glass expensive? Polished edges?

Glass wasn't too expensive. Ran about 300 for my tank and about 400 for my friends. The edges were polished and beveled.

 

[lvsuckerfish]

great job looks good I like the blocks you have to keep the glass straight and level

 

[lvsuckerfish]

did you all double pane the bottom yourselves ?

 

[knucklehead]

how did the tank turn out. looks pretty decent from the pics. i warned ya about pulling that tape once you tool it lol.

 

[iani]

did you all double pane the bottom yourselves ?

Yes, it was added last. I just dropped the second pane into the cube at the end.

how did the tank turn out. looks pretty decent from the pics. i warned ya about pulling that tape once you tool it lol.

You did, I just forgot about pulling the tape. The tank turned out well. Seems are good.

 

[iani]

I had some people ask about the angle squares. This is where I got it.
Clamp-It® Assembly Square with 5'' Bar Clamp (Sold Separately) - Rockler Woodworking Tools

 

[inactive]

Looks like so much fun!

 

[iani]

Kraylen, it was a fun little project. It should easier with my friends tank.

 

[nitrox36]

thanks Ian for showing us the project. and also thanks for the link im ordering some of those.

 

[hjkesler]

Hi, any idea about building rimless tank dimention 130*60*70 cm,glass thickness,kind of glue name?Tanks

 

[justindinh24]

Nice set up. Where did u get glass cut? I may need to order some. Thanks