Diy A Tank

[AshleyT]

I haven't attempted to make a fish tank yet, but I really want to have a go at it, ideas please?

 

[fluttermoth]

My ex used to make tanks, and it's not that hard.

As long as you're handy with a mastic gun, anyway! Oh, and as long as your glass is cut properly square, and you have a set square for the corners and plenty of masking tape.

Having two people is a must, as you need someone to hold the whole thing straight while you mastic and tape each side into place. You need to glue the tank together, and then seal it it once the first lot of sealant has cured.

 

[AshleyT]

So If I used silicant let that settle then apply another coat?

 

[fluttermoth]

You run a thin bead of silicone along the edge of each piece of glass, put it position, making sure it's perfectly square, then tape the two pieces together to hold them steady; this is where your assistant comes in handy!

When you've got the tank assembled, you leave the silicone to cure. Make sure you wipe away any bits that have pushed through to the inside, as it'll be harder to seal if you leave them there; new silicone doesn't like sticking to silicone that's already cured.

Then you run a bead around all the inside seams; that's what seals it to stop it leaking.

 

[ainsy]

Make sure you get aquarium safe silicon - not just the bathroom stuff from B&Q!

Also - I don't think you will find too much saving making it yourself - by the time you have had the glass cut square and the edges ground it will be almost the price of a complete tank.

 

[fluttermoth]

That's very true. I'd say it's only worth doing if you need an odd size or shape, or you can't get a tank into your house for some reason; I may well have to build if I want a large tank, as there's no way a five footer is going to get down my steps (*mutters about unthinking architects...*)

 

[TomShootsPhoto]

I suggest you cover the edges with soldered iron and silicone the tank to it, which will keep it from cracking if you have a bigger tank.

I am also working on making my own tank, but the glass is soo expensive here I might think about making the sides out of iron and only having on sheet of glass in the front... But I don't like it that way

 

[OldMan47]

Making sides out of iron or steel is simply never done. Thee are plenty of tanks that people make out of plywood covered with fiberglass though. Then they seal a window into the front.

 

[windsor-aquatic]

Iron or steel-framed tanks went out of fashion in the UK in 1970's with the introduction of silicone sealant. Contrary to popular belief, new silicone WILL stick to silicone that has already cured, this is just one of several old wives tales relating to tank construction.

 

[OldMan47]

I have a steel framed tank that I got at a club auction. No part of that tank's metal touches any water though. All of the glass is sealed into the frame and is sealed to the other glass pieces. The embedding compound used to seal it to the metal frame will degrade seriously if the tank is ever left empty, which is why you seldom see them in use these days. You do not want to try to DIY a metal framed tank and use that miserable tar-like embedding material to build it. If you want to DIY a tank, use the modern silicone sealant instead. It will last for generations wet or dry and it acts to hold the glass together too.

 

[Timmy_Bee]

i very much doubt you will save money by making a DIY glass tank. There are plenty of internet sites that will build you a tank to whatever dimensions you need, and it will be cheaper.
Cabinets on the other hand look like a complete waste of money. Usually these cost more than the tank itself!

Plywood tanks can be cheaper. There are two ways to go:
Epoxy & fiberglass. This is only going to be cheaper for a big tank, or multiple tanks. You need to bulk buy the epoxy, and its not cheap. Go halves with a mate or something
Pond liner - very cheap, but may look a bit odd. Look up a thread by VickiAndKev to get an idea. I think what they have done by DIYing some polystyrene walls, which look good anyway and cover up any nastyness about a pond liner.

One sheet of glass is still quite expensive - i personally would search the web for any local broken tanks - there are usually a few about that either need re-sealing or one side has cracked - these are the perfect start for a new project

 

[balajake]

you should watch this guys videos on youtube

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYhfV7SvoRs&list=PL40AC1075FCEA10CB&feature=player_detailpage#t=2s



he has loads of tutorials and i could watch for hours. its all step by step stuff

 

[gregswimm]

Get a big terracotta or plastic pot
Put a trash bag in it
apply fish