how hard is it to make a small tank? not looking for anything massive just somthing for a few tropical fish though havn't really made up my mind, part of the reason a want a tank is the fun and challange of making one myself has anyone made there own?
Tanks
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It probably isn't that hard, and there are lots of articles on the net about tank building. But the main reason I wouldn't is cost. For the raw materials it would cost me about about £100 to build the tank i've got, and you could buy one for about £40! If you can get a good deal from a local fish shop you're better going there. You're also more likely to get a good deal on the equipment and stand if you want one. I got a second hand tank for only £20. But then add on the cost of the stand, the filter, heater and lights separately, i could have got a much larger tank in a deal for much less than i spent on this setup.
That said, I made the stand myself, noone else is going to have a setup like the one i have, Unlike the thousands of jewel or aqua one aquariums.
A bit of advice i would give is to start slowly. Give your filter time to mature for a good week before adding a few hardy fish. Have a look at fishless cycling also. I didn't and really put my guppies through some nasty water conditions while the filter was maturing properly. I now have the stock you see in my signature, and have only lost one neon tetra so far.
You should also find as many fish shops as you can in your local area, vist them a couple of times and decide on the ones that are going to give you healthy fish and good service. Talk to the staff and see who is going to give you good advice on your community tank and who is going to happily sell you a small oscar that will outgrow your tank in a year. And finally, get a test kit, even just dip strips that you stick in the water. This will let you know when your tank has cycled, and also will warn you of any problems you may be about to have!
Good luck!
That said, I made the stand myself, noone else is going to have a setup like the one i have, Unlike the thousands of jewel or aqua one aquariums.
A bit of advice i would give is to start slowly. Give your filter time to mature for a good week before adding a few hardy fish. Have a look at fishless cycling also. I didn't and really put my guppies through some nasty water conditions while the filter was maturing properly. I now have the stock you see in my signature, and have only lost one neon tetra so far.
You should also find as many fish shops as you can in your local area, vist them a couple of times and decide on the ones that are going to give you healthy fish and good service. Talk to the staff and see who is going to give you good advice on your community tank and who is going to happily sell you a small oscar that will outgrow your tank in a year. And finally, get a test kit, even just dip strips that you stick in the water. This will let you know when your tank has cycled, and also will warn you of any problems you may be about to have!
Good luck!
Lord Zogat
Fish Crazy
Material cost can become expensive. Also if your not familiar with the materials, it may not be a fun experience. If you do try to build a tank, try to talk first hand with someone who has done one to see what they suggest and the problems they ran into.
Or check your local fish store to see if they have any forsale that may be used.
having replaced a panel on my tank, it's not pretty, i would be comfortable making a tank i think, but only if i needed a funny shape or size. Say to fit into a cavity in a wall, that type of thing.
FreakinTwisted
New Member
Hi.
Ive built alot of tanks for alot of mates.
Smaller is easier, eg: 1ft (starts gettin fiddly when you go too small)
The only problems are:
Getting the glass size right, + it needs to be arrised (sanded edges), get alot of blood otherwise.
Getting a good seal
and trying not to get Silicone everywhere.
Clean up with Methelated Spirits.
Silicone:
Make sure you use a type that IS for Aquariums, Neutral cure dries slower than Acid cure. (Both safe to use)
1st timer builders should use Neutral cure as it gives you more time to square up corners and time to clean excess off of glass. (Glass does absorb some of the Silicone)
If your cutting glass dont be afraid, just wear saftey glasses (it isnt nice takin a trip to the hospital, try get the glass out with a hypodermic needle, been there done that).
Cuttin glass is trial and error, more practice the better.
I cant think of anything else at the moment, but if I do I'll post again.
Oh, and DONT butt the pieces of glass HARD up against each other.
Ive built alot of tanks for alot of mates.
Smaller is easier, eg: 1ft (starts gettin fiddly when you go too small)
The only problems are:
Getting the glass size right, + it needs to be arrised (sanded edges), get alot of blood otherwise.
Getting a good seal
and trying not to get Silicone everywhere.
Clean up with Methelated Spirits.
Silicone:
Make sure you use a type that IS for Aquariums, Neutral cure dries slower than Acid cure. (Both safe to use)
1st timer builders should use Neutral cure as it gives you more time to square up corners and time to clean excess off of glass. (Glass does absorb some of the Silicone)
If your cutting glass dont be afraid, just wear saftey glasses (it isnt nice takin a trip to the hospital, try get the glass out with a hypodermic needle, been there done that).
Cuttin glass is trial and error, more practice the better.
I cant think of anything else at the moment, but if I do I'll post again.
Oh, and DONT butt the pieces of glass HARD up against each other.
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