building a tank

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
C

Conagher

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 14, 2005
44
0
0
NC
I am considering the possibility of trying to build a tank. The preliminary dimensions I am thinking of are 48"x 36" x 20"

Has anyone built one approx. this size? How thick would the acrylic have to be to withstand the pressures involved? What would be the best way to join the pieces of acrylic together? "weld" them? or would aquarium cement/sealer work?

I am a newbie here at MFK and still getting my feet wet learning about keeping fish. I have had a 10 gallon for about a year is all. :newbie:
 
Hey check out reefcentral there are a lot of people there who have built some really nice tanks themselves. As far as thickness of glass I would recommend 3/4'' if doing with no center brace, but I think you get away with 1/2'' if wanted to put a center brace across the middle. As for joining the pieces of acrylic together I would go with weld on, dont really know what type though. I know that number 4 is used for building sumps. Also have heard of people using this called MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) which is more than likely found at an auto paint shop or a chemical supply place. Hope this info helped. I personally have not build a tank myself but have been looking into. Maybe a 250 or so when I get some $.
Later
E
 
That link is awesome! thank you Ash! and Eng55, looks like your estimate of 3/4" thickness was dead on. ;)
 
Bah! Just fyi.. I recieved a price quote for a 72" x 96" x .708" sheet of PMG acrylic (cell cast). $1, 077!! Just a bit much for this boy... I did calculate I could get a 72 x 20 x 27 tank out of this one sheet though.

guess my 55G will have to suffice for a bit longer. :cry:
 
Conagher said:
I am considering the possibility of trying to build a tank. [...] I am a newbie here at MFK and still getting my feet wet learning about keeping fish. I have had a 10 gallon for about a year is all. :newbie:
Click to expand...

Howdy,

My advice would be to stick to available sizes and buy a ready-to-use tank. My gut feeling is that this will be cheaper and easier than building a tank yourself.

However, if you have extra time and money on your hands and you need a size which is not commercially available, then I wish you best of luck and have fun!

HarleyK
 
Build it out of plywood? Much less expensive, and you could do different dimensions because you could add support where needed.
 
Conagher said:
Bah! Just fyi.. I recieved a price quote for a 72" x 96" x .708" sheet of PMG acrylic (cell cast). $1, 077!! Just a bit much for this boy... I did calculate I could get a 72 x 20 x 27 tank out of this one sheet though.

guess my 55G will have to suffice for a bit longer. :cry:
Click to expand...

This is just a guess, but I suspect a big part of that cost is the fact that 72"x96" isn't (from what I've seen, anyway) a "standard" sheet size; consequently, it's going to be have to be custom made, which really drives up the price.

Also, if the tank is only going to be 27" tall, you may be able to get away with 1/2" acrylic, but I'm not entirely sure.
 
I'm thinking about building on e also, but I think I'm gonna go the plywood/fiberglass rout.
 
what does fiber glass look like when its done? I've never even heard of making a tank out of it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom