Making your own aquarium

LadyViper · 06-24-2006, 09:25 PM

I have read instructions all over the internet, about building your own aquarium. I am quite interested in doing this, but I am curious if anyone has tried it. If so, what recommendations do you have for a first timer?

drfong · 07-29-2006, 03:45 PM

Why would you want to? I'm just interested in knowing. Cost, need an odd size, just like to build things? I actually ordered an instruction manual to build one, but it seems that the tank is the cheepest part of the equation. For what ever size you want, unless its custom, its all the extra stuff that drives the price up. The tank is usually the most affordable part, especially if you can find a good used one.

ahill3780 · 07-30-2006, 03:25 PM

I have long been wanting to try my hand at building my own tank. I would have to disagree with drfong on his point of cost. For a 10 to 20 gallon tank I belive his statement holds true, it is cheaper to just buy it than build it. But for a 100 gallon or more tank then the reverse is true. I have shopped around for a 150 gallon tank and I have been astounded at what prices I've found. A new AGA 120 gallon aquarium alone costs upwards of $200, and that is without light, hood, filter, or stand! You can build your own 300 gallon tank with as much in just material costs!

In fact I have been laying plans for building my next tank which will be a 250 - 300 gallon saltwater tank. I am still researching methods as I have found a lot of contradicting instructions regarding the actual construction, but as far as difficulty in assembling the tank goes - it isn't hard at all. The main requirements that I have found are that the bottom plate must be thicker than the other panes since it will support the bulk of the weight, and it must be mounted within the outer walls. The side panels must be placed in between the front and back panels rather than on the outside of them. If you were to look at your tank at home you will likely see the truth of this: the only glass edges that you can actually touch are those of the front and back panes. You also need to provide a center support along the top to keep the weight of the water from pushing out on the front and back panels. This gives the tank its rigidity and it helps hold it together.

I got my first test run at tank building when my 55 gallon reef tank sprung a leak along one of its seals and I had to drain it and repair it.

Silicone does not bond well to old, cured silicone so I had to use a razor to remove all of the silicone seal along the inside of the tank: all 4 corners, and all around the bottom. I did not have to pry the panes apart to get the silicone out from in between but some cases may call for this drastic measure. I then let the tank air out overnight and used a new razor to go back over all of the edges to ensure that there was no dirt or silicone left that would prevent the new silicone from adhearing itself properly.

Forewarning: Silicone STINKS!! Whenever working with silicone, do so in a well ventilated area and use proper mouth/nose protection! Think about it, you are huddled over a big glass box where the only opening for fumes to escape are up and out - right at you! Also, once you begin you have to finish. The silicone begins to set fairly quickly and you barely have enough time to run all the beads and run your finger over them to seal it before it starts to set. Once it starts to set, if you still have to smooth out any edges, then it is going to clump up when you run your finger over it - so work steady, but work fast.

Once the silicone is down then you will need to let it sit and cure for about a week before you leak test it. That way it gains its full strength and will give you years of leakfree viewing pleasure.

One last thing LadyViper, when choosing a silicone to use you will need to get "GE Silicone I/II For Doors And Windows", do not use silicone made for bathrooms and tiles as they are filled with preservatives and chemicals to fight off mold and bacteria. These chemicals can leach out into your aquarium and kill your plants and animals. The silicone mentioned above is pure silicone and does not contain additives that will harm aquatic life. You can find this silicone at any Lowes or Home Depot throughout the nation and it is cheap, about $2 per caulk tube. I would not suggest using the Wal-Mart patch silicone tubes as they are more intended for fixing leaks and not meant for building tanks.

Good luck!

drfong · 07-30-2006, 04:53 PM

I think you misunderstood me. I meant im the total cost of a large aquarium where the pumps, filters, lights, skimers etc can cost so much, the cost of the tank itself is the small part. I have looked into building one and I wasn't suggesting she doesn't. I was just wondering why she wanted to. If it is a custom size, etc, I'm sure it would be considerably cheeper to build. But if she just wants a standard size she can probably find one for not much more than what it would cost for materials, not to consider time and trouble. Building it may be just the fun part for some, if so great. If the only reason was cost, I would say she could do better searching the classifieds. You have to remember, you not only need to buy the glass but figure out the best way to build the frame to support it. It's not just attaching the glass together. Production tanks use inexpensive molded parts, you have to have the skills and materials to make those to build a large tank. Price out everything needed, not just the glass. Then figure what your time is worth and I'll bet you don't save anything. But like I said, just doing it maybe the reward.

ahill3780 · 07-30-2006, 05:20 PM

Oh, I caught your meaning, I didn't mean to imply that you were wrong there, but pointing that out is kind of beside the point since that is an obvious conclusion. You will always have to sink money into equipment for any tank whether you build it or buy it. Some people are hard-core do-it-yourselfers (DIYers) and prefer to build their own tank, complete with custom stand, canopy (which they build their lighting system into), plumbing system, even their own Protein Skimmers! The only thing they need to purchase are the heaters, lamps, ballasts, and pumps. You can even make your own Live Rock if you wanted to.

The material cost is usually not the concern for a DIYer, it's the satisfaction of showing off your new tank and telling everyone that you built it yourself that is the most rewarding. But I understand you already know that.

I was not at all trying to put you down, I am just trying to raise her confidence.

Cheers to all!