Build your own tanks

[ember04]

I've done alot in fish tank keeping but something I've never done is make my own custom tank. After re siliconing around my sink this week i realised its quite fun and that put the idea that maybe i could make my own custom tank to perfectly fish in my shelving unit.

Does anyone have any advice or what glass I should use, what silicone is safe and any other tips and I'll update as I make the tank over the next few weeks

Thanksss

 

[MattW45 161]

A great DIY video with lots of info using Ikea glass (cannot be cut to custom size sadly) . Your other option is to find a 2nd hand tank cut the glass to size and resilicone that.

 

[GaryE5 3]

You could use a glass shop, but the size of the tank would determine the glass thickness you'd need. I've made a couple of IKEA shelf glass tanks, and plan 2 more this month. I haven't ordered glass cut to size.

I use 100% pure silicone.

When I was first seriously into aquariums, a lot of people made their own, but as is often the case, we've been convinced that do so is to risk all manner of disasters. To me, it's just a fairly simple DIY project.

 

[MattW45 161]

As for silicone, I used Bondit on my small 12L, and it has held very well. They do a clear version as well, but I think black silicone looks a lot better

 

[ember04]

You could use a glass shop, but the size of the tank would determine the glass thickness you'd need. I've made a couple of IKEA shelf glass tanks, and plan 2 more this month. I haven't ordered glass cut to size.

I use 100% pure silicone.

When I was first seriously into aquariums, a lot of people made their own, but as is often the case, we've been convinced that do so is to risk all manner of disasters. To me, it's just a fairly simple DIY project.

Do you know how I could figure out the glass thickness, I'm thinking 84x34x24 CM for the dimensions so long and flat theres a glass shop quite local to me

 

[OMG_FL]

8mm should be fine for that size

 

[Uberhoust1]

There used to be a few calculators for building tanks but this is the only one I could find today: https://www.omnicalculator.com/other/aquarium-glass-thickness. This one is based on how much deflection the glass can experience when the tank is full of water. The example is based on a tank I would like to build.

 

[ember04]

amazing thank you all so much