Connecting 2 tanks to make one larger tank???

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
i would probably run supports like this across the bottom and sides of the tank and probably the top just to have the security of it not separating due to water pressure, the black lines being the two 55s and the red being supports cut from the 2 spare panes

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My main concern with this build is the bottom. Theoretically, it could work using the two existing bottom panes joined with silicone (and obviously has before with the pic of the one joined lengthwise earlier in this thread), but I'm not sure I'd trust silicone alone that way. I noticed though that you're planning on buying a new piece of glass as the bottom pane, in which case my only concern is moot. Of course, buying that pane of 48" x 48" glass that's about 3/8" tempered glass would probably by itself justify just buying a new tank as it'll probably cost about $100 on its own.

All that being said, if you're going to do it anyway with either a new pane of glass for the bottom, or just butting the two bottom pieces together, why not just take a long pane from each of the two 55s off, and all side panes from both tanks? That way, you could use all four long panels with no joins in the middle on any of the four sides? As said previously, you'd have to brace it both front to back AND side to side, but you'll have to do that anyway even if you butt the two shorter pieces together for each of the two sides. As for the water pressure and glass thickness, that's a non-issue here as it's not changing in this build.
 
another thing if the solid panel on the bottom proves to be too expensive is to research a different material that you could use for the bottom of the tank, as it does not need to be transparent. you could use plywood and cover it with fiberglass and mold that onto the sides of the glass about 1" high, basically like someone would do if they were going to do a full plywood tank and inset a glass front. That would save you money as you would only need about $25 worth of materials. Also, if you built your stand properly to support it, you might be able to use thin lexan from home depot or lowes as the bottom. It would have to have 100" support, such as a piece of plywood below it, but it would allow you to silicone the tank fully closed and be 100% waterproof. It just doesnt have a lot of structural stability at that thickness
 
I actually never planned on replacing the bottom glass, it would remain 2 pieces butted together with silicone as would the 2 sides. There would also be a second sheet of glass over the joints (patch if you will) on the bottom and both ends to provide a lil more structure to the joints.
 
Ok, just looked over all the posts and im sorry if i dont reply to all of them specifically, im incredibly tired lol.
@ caleb. that is more or less the idea i had in mind, i just hadnt gotten to the stage of drawing it all up yet.
@ robb and whoever else mentioned the idea of getting a new bottom and using the 4 long panels. Thats actually a pretty good idea and would allow me to go bigger than i origionally planned and make it a 48x48" square rather than a 48xwhatever double the depth of a 55 gallon is lol. Im definately going to hit up my friendly guy at the glass shop (often finds me big pieces for crazy cheap when they "cut them wrong :D lol) and see what he might be able to work out for me to get a piece that size. If he cant then i will probably be sticking with the origional plan or some variation of it due to cost since this was afterall going to be made with what i already have, but for the right deal on the bottom glass i would be willing to deviate from the plan for a bigger tank :grinyes:.
If i missed anyone i apologize as i said im really tired.
And please keep the ideas flowin, im loving the input and support. and also lovin the motivation from the "cant be done" crew...tellin me that makes me want even more to find a way to make it work lol.
 
Buying a new bottom and reusing the front and back panes is your best bet. You can't really but em up back to back and seal them very well, you'll have a 1/2" glass from where the front and back panes were (1/4" on both sides). Plus buying a new bottom like you said you get to go larger and its basically just building a new tank instead of chopping 2 together.
 
Well my glass guy isnt in today :( so finding out a price is on hold for now.
I also thought of another issue with building myself a 48x48. I would almost have to disassemble it when i move (not planning on living in my 1 bedroom apartment forever lol).
 
"Did you put any glass on the inside of the tank to cover the seams? or just butt them together with silicone? "

Yes, I did put glass on the insides and bottom to cover the seams, but mostly for added strength of the seams.


" Also what did you use for a brace on the top over the joint? i can see the brace but cant make out what it is exactly lol."

I cut the original ends of the frames down the middle and then siliconed them together. So basically the brace was still intact. In other words, I just cut out the very ends of the plastic top and bottom frames and left the horizontal sections intact.
 
True, that would work, didnt think about movin it that way lol. That means this could work :D so now just waitin on my glass guy to get back and see if he can get me a deal.
 
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