Any one ever build there own tank???

[AR0026]

Hey Reefers,

I just got a crazy idea, i want to build my own tank and stand.. I can figure out the stand.. But the tank??? To make a frameless tank, would silicon be sufficient to hold it together??? Or what type of glue could I use, that obviously is clear and safe for the fish and corals??

Thank,
Antonio

 

[ryangrieder]

Ummmmmmm..........


Unless you want a flood...don't do it. Jmo

 

[STHILL]

ummmmmmm..........


Unless you want a flood...don't do it. Jmo

+1

 

[AR0026]

Yeah, I'm kinda scared that it will all come apart, but from the research i did last night on Google.. It's seems pretty easy... I'm going to try and make a small one first and see how that goes. I'll post my progress.

Thanks,
Antonio

 

[JonnyJ]

There is a lot of information on the net about tank making. Start reading builds and go with what has worked for other people. Dont skimp on glass thickness or eurobracing.

Start small.

 

[ming]

A small tank would probably be easy as any defects would end up small. It gets a lot harder on a large tank because things have to be much more precise as small defects get compounded with the massive pressure of the water, possibly uneven, and become even larger issues. Not saying its impossible, just please do your research and know the risks before you attempt it.

 

[CONSTANTNE]

I made my own 25G rimless a while back. Held together fine although I was always worried about it lol. Had a glass shop cut and bevel the glass and then I used aquarium silicone to put it together. PM if you want I can give you the thread with pics.

 

[DHaut]

i've built two smaller tanks - both worked out fine. not that hard to do on a small scale.

 

[bad coffee]

my 58 still holds water. . .

 

[coralnut99]

Find some scrap glass, buy a tube of one of the GE silicones (they are sealants), and mess around with the process. It's not as easy as it looks. You have to get used to working with silicone. You can make a real mess the first time around.
If you decide to go for it, use the GE Momentive adhesives. You can get them from Grainger. They are true adhesives.
One of the problems with going bigger is the panels get heavier, and difficult to work with solo. So the bigger your plans the more help you need. And of course, as mentioned, a mistake will cost you much more too.

 

[46nBliss]

I made myself a 2 1/2 gallon fresh water reservoir for my ATO to fit in my sump. i know that isnt a large scale at all but i was happy it held up. made it from homedepot acrylic and silicon. maybe next time ill try a little larger volume, since the little one was successful.
PS use gloves when your working with silicon its not fun when it gets on your skin.

 

[AR0026]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the comments... I will try with a smaller volume tank first... I am going to get the glass this weekend, just need to figure out how many gallons and the correct dimensions... I would like to build something to float in my tank to acclimate my fish... Will glass even float or would I have to make it out of acrylic??

 

[dj ze]

go with acrilic its easier to bond especiallly if you use the proper cement for it

 

[AR0026]

Ok, so after thinking about what to make a tank for. I decided to make a small 5-10 gallon tank and link it with my bow front. I want keep dwarf seahorses... Not sure if the space should be tall or wide. I think if I understand what I have read. They prefer taller tanks... Now just to figure out how to link it to my bow front from so the water will circulate..

 

[AR0026]

Okay, so these are the dimensions:
10" x 10" x 19"tall...
Should give 8 us gallons..
Also, thinking of using a sponge filter.. Anyone ever used one before?

 

[reefs4life]

I wouldn't go with dwarf seahorses, just my opinion. They are VERY time consuming to say the least. It is so hard to get them to eat and even when they do start eating, if you're feeding them baby brine shrimp, they're almost empty in nutrition so you would have to feed a lot often and I personally don't think raising BS is the easiest thing to do either

 

[AR0026]

Why won't eat anything else? Like at all?
I know I want seahorses, so which ones would you recommend?

 

[reefs4life]

Why won't eat anything else? Like at all?
I know I want seahorses, so which ones would you recommend?

I mean if you can find something as small as baby brine shrimp then yeah but what else is there really besides rotifers. And those are even harder to raise than baby brine shrimp. I don't think some people understand how small dwarf seahorses really are until they get them (including myself) but by then it's too late this is why I'm trying to share what I have learned through my experience with them. Anyways...After the dwarfs I took a little break and then I got some H. Erectus seahorses and they are doing very well for me. They eat frozen mysis so it is not a hard food to find or keep on hand. They're not as expensive either, compared to H. Reidi, about $30 each, DOTR usually carries them.

 

[AR0026]

Hey,
Thanks for all the info... I like the seahorses you have. I goolged them. Who or where is DOTR??

 

[reefs4life]

No problem, glad to help. DOTR on this site refers to Diamonds Of The Reef, they're a vendor here on MR http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/diamonds-reef/. They're also out in New Jersey as you are so if you wanted something it should be pretty simple for you to pick up