A new tank build
- Thread starter tthanatoss
- Start date
If you had the space that tank would make the best coffee table in the world 
Looking forward to seeing this project progressing.
Looking forward to seeing this project progressing.
I spent a good part of the afternoon yesterday planing and sanding. The outside of the has come out well enough to varnish which was my intention from the beginning. I also picked up a couple of packages of 3/8 wooden plugs and some carpenter's glue and filled all of the screw holes around the outside.
I didn't take any new pictures as it really doesn't look any different at this point. I started ripping up a couple of 2 x 4's to make a moulding for the inside edge of the viewing windows. A 2 dollar 2x4 gives about 48' of moulding. This will give me a nice finish look and cover up all the screws along the inside edges of the frame. This moulding will be 3/4 x 3/4 and I think will give me a really nice step in look to the glass and eliminate some of the bulky look because of the thickness of the 2 x 4's.
I didn't take any new pictures as it really doesn't look any different at this point. I started ripping up a couple of 2 x 4's to make a moulding for the inside edge of the viewing windows. A 2 dollar 2x4 gives about 48' of moulding. This will give me a nice finish look and cover up all the screws along the inside edges of the frame. This moulding will be 3/4 x 3/4 and I think will give me a really nice step in look to the glass and eliminate some of the bulky look because of the thickness of the 2 x 4's.
I finished ripping all of my molding (is it molding or moulding?) today and installed it with glue and finishing nails. I was going to route the edge but none of the bits I have turned my crank. I even went as far as going to the Home Depot but in the end I decided that keeping just a plain square edge would look best.
I've pretty much run to the end of my plan here and now I have to get creative and make some decisions. I really am not sure yet how I want to brace the top and have it work with a DIY filter and I'm equally undecided how I want the base to be as I want to incorporate cabinet doors into for storage.
One idea for the base is to basically make a copy of the top and fill the viewing areas with plywood. Like a mirror image. Another is to cut 2x4's and stand them vertically kind of like the tank is sitting on a barrel.
I think for the bracing in the top I'm going to break down and buy a sheet of 3/4 ply and laminate it recessed inside and just below the top lip. Then just cut out areas for filtration, access, etc.
One brain child I had today was to use a large hole saw and cut a couple of holes in the base of the tank and later mount pot lights to shine up thru the bottom of the tank. With the tinted glass on the bottom and the black river rock I have for substrate it might look pretty cool. ( I don't know if it would have a negative effect on fish having a light source from the bottom.)
Anyway don't be afraid to give me your two cents here. Brainstorming time.
I've pretty much run to the end of my plan here and now I have to get creative and make some decisions. I really am not sure yet how I want to brace the top and have it work with a DIY filter and I'm equally undecided how I want the base to be as I want to incorporate cabinet doors into for storage.
One idea for the base is to basically make a copy of the top and fill the viewing areas with plywood. Like a mirror image. Another is to cut 2x4's and stand them vertically kind of like the tank is sitting on a barrel.
I think for the bracing in the top I'm going to break down and buy a sheet of 3/4 ply and laminate it recessed inside and just below the top lip. Then just cut out areas for filtration, access, etc.
One brain child I had today was to use a large hole saw and cut a couple of holes in the base of the tank and later mount pot lights to shine up thru the bottom of the tank. With the tinted glass on the bottom and the black river rock I have for substrate it might look pretty cool. ( I don't know if it would have a negative effect on fish having a light source from the bottom.)
Anyway don't be afraid to give me your two cents here. Brainstorming time.
do you plan on using glass all around or are you going to use plywood on the side that will be against the wall
apisto;3297911; said:Just hope you don't have kids that might bump into your tank. I have been building glass tanks for about twenty years and trust me when I tell you than anything with a safety factor under 3 is not worth your while building. But hey, it's your floor
@Yogurt 21,
keep your pants on
Great Tank, Love the Design..
6mm is paper thin man.. i know a decent size fish,rock,driftwood,or a child around the tank with a toy or just running into it might break that glass.
I have a friend at my lfp that refuses to built any tank under 10mm.
My very 1st tank i bought was 10mm glass 3x2x1 but i have seen alot of 6x1x1 out of 6mm glass.
End of the day its your decision i would just had too see that tank either break open or hurt someone minor or fatal.
Over that though I cant wait to see this tank it looks Very Impressive
Goodluck mate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsQy54p2zQQ
Thats How Easy it is... LOL!
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tthanatoss;3306161; said:
I like the idea of making the base match the frame of the tank. That will look great. The lights from the bottom is a cool idea also. You can make blue night lights. You can always turn them off. I have a question on the tanks structure? Are you going to fiberglass the inside? If so, you won't need the glass on the bottom and could cut it to fit the 18"x20" openings. If no fiberglass is to be used I think you are building it like any other glass tank with just silicone and an external frame? Anyway, looking good. Keep the pics coming.
It's really coming along and looking great too. I think a stand that matches the tank is the go for sure. Use ply as inserts instead of glass but have say the three most facing forward panels as doors to gain access underneath or just the 2 doors leaving out the middle panel to make it look more even?. Leave one open at the rear or at least part of it for power and filtration purposes. If you run cross beams to a center post it should leave you with a fairly open cavity underneath. I drew on your pic to help show what I mean. Hope it makes sense
