DIY tank?

[TJFitz1980]

Has anyone ever done this?

I have a friend that works for a glass shop and can get me glass.

I'm thinking it would be fun to make a tank. He can get me 1/4" glass for no cost. I found a website that sells the black plastic frames.

http://www.aquariumframeswholesale.com/frames

I would think with the thickness of being only 1/4 I could safety do a 24"x24" cube tank? Or could we really push it and do a 48"x18"?

 

[tgp4274]

i built mine tho it's 1/2" glass
72"lx24"hx18"d
you can look on the net for acouple websights that give you suggested thickness for size of glass panel
good luck

 

[TJFitz1980]

He can get me 3/8 glass but at a cost to me...I am liking the idea of trying the free glass just to see how it goes. Thank you for your info!

 

[TJFitz1980]

Can you post a pic of your tank?

 

[tgp4274]

i'll try to later today as I have to get them off my phone
I really really should do a build thread..... :/

 

[TJFitz1980]

I'd love to see them. You can be proud of them and help other get ideas.

 

[tgp4274]

 

[tgp4274]

light are out at moment so i'll have to get a new fts shot....
this tanks blew a seam so I rebuilt it..... stupid me used 1/4" glass and a lexan bottom
my avatar pics is when I moved everything into a kids pool in garage while the new tank was being finished

 

[TJFitz1980]

Beautiful work

 

[tgp4274]

thanks

 

[tgp4274]

 

[moflip78]

is silicone the only thing holding glass together?

 

[tgp4274]

yes n no.......
I did get a frame from "Over The Edge"
you can do a frameless if glass is thick enough....
can look up afew web sights to determine what glass thickness needed for size your looking for

 

[Daniel@R2R]

@hybridazn has built some tanks out if 1/4" glass. Maybe he'll share a little too.

 

[hybridazn]

1/4" glass can go rimless no problems as long as you keep it shallow. Make sure to use a quality silicone, while GE silicone II works well, I wouldn't use it on anything bigger than a 20 gallon. I recommend using rtv silicone.