DIY 180 gal all glass tank

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C

careifsteck

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 25, 2010
52
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6
Dubuque, ia
So I decided that I wanted to get a bigger tank. After waiting for one to go on sale for a long time I decided to call a freind of mine and make it my self. So I ordered the glass in 3/8.

3) 72"X 24"
2) 24"X 23.25

For silicone I just went the expensive route and Bought the all glass brand silicone for aquariums. And a Roll of duct tape as that is what all the research I did on the internet said to use.

I first used acitone to clean all of the glass where bonds were going to be
made.

I placed the bottom down and put half of 6" strips of duct tape facing up under the bottom. 2 on the sides and 3 on the front and back edges.

I ran a 1/4" bead of silicone across the top of the front edge of the bottom and placed the front. Then pulled the tape up arround from the botom and secured it to the front. Then did one of the sides. and also put tape on the corners.

last I ran a bead of silicone all arround the inside of the tank in all corners and smothed with my thumb.

Now to wait 24 hours to trim and clean and until I get a frame to fill and test. Then it will be time to make a stand. I will add photos as I go along.

Oh I also am checking with my LFS about geting a top and bottom full black plastic frame with two braces. Dose anyone know where I can buy a top frame w/brace online for cheap?
 

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two concerns,

1. 3/8 seems a bit thin to me
2. that aga silicone isnt an adhesive silicone such as rtv108.

those 2 concerns combined would keep me from sleeping at night.
 
I would have gone 1/2 inch but I am not building a euro brace. I ordered top and bottom frames from my LSF. And AGA is what the pro's use.
 
Well the top braces came in today. And I also dicided that my silicone job looked really ugly. So tonight I stripped out all the silicone. Tomorrow I will clean it up and reseal I have a tool to make the corners right now. I will also be putting on the top and bottom frames (AKA the braces). I will take photo of tools used and finished tank then. I am 48 hours away from my fill test. I am making a stand i found on here so I will not claim it as mine but I will show pics of me building it and my finished product. A 100% do it yourself 180 gal and stand.
 
Although I see your done. If you build another check out glasscages.com. I think they sell frames. With 1/2" thick glass I'd be scared to keep any real monsters in that tank. An adult male dovii would break that tank. But I could be wrong. I've been thinking of doing the same since large tanks are so overpriced.
 
I am not keeping anything that will head but the tank. I have two retic stingrays, 5 Discus, 2 angels, 1 beta, and a royal sailfin pleco. A question I do have though is is there a quick way to cycle the new tank without using the old substrate? I am going to be useing a 4 stage canister with UV. Can I just hook the new canister up to the old tank to get it going and then switch it to the new tank 1 week before putting my new fish in their new home? My stingrays are very excited about thier new home. They are in a 75 now and it just dosn't have enough footprint. Now they will have a 6' X2' footprint.
 
dmopar74;4598446; said:
two concerns,

1. 3/8 seems a bit thin to me
2. that aga silicone isnt an adhesive silicone such as rtv108.

those 2 concerns combined would keep me from sleeping at night.
Click to expand...

Those 2 concerns would keep me from putting water in it.

Using your old filter on your new tank will mean there is no need for a cycle. The majority of the beneficial bacteria is in the filter. Put it on the new tank when you put the fish in.
 
I bought a new filter for the new tank. Can I run the new filter on my old tank to get it going first? How long do I have to run it this way? It is a 560 gph canister 4 stage and UV filter. I have it hooked up so it is getting the water from the undergravel filter on the old tank. I figured it would cycle faster that way. As far as the tank it has been water testing for about 2 weeks now. There are no leaks and it is not bowed at all. You can go to sleep now. If you are worried about my floor holding it I have installed a steel H beam and floor suport in my basment.
 
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