DIY Aquarium help.

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r7man

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jul 28, 2013
29
0
16
Granbury,Texas
I plan on using the sides of two 75 gallon aquariums to make a 48x48x21 aquarium. Can I use the sides of a 90 gallon aquarium for the bottom since the glass panels are 48x24? Will this work if I put a strong wood brace under the seam of the two pieces?
 
That and a piece of glass siliconed over the seam will do perfect. this is how I built my L shaped tank.
 
UaruJoey did a DIY video making a 6x6x2' tank like this but with a plywood base. Personally I'd rather do that than have two sheets of glass side by side with a seam in the middle, unless you're going to overlap it with a secondlayer of glass.
 
Your idea will work(2 bottom pieces of glass, fully supported , with glass over the seam..).... BUT since all 4 sides are the same length... the tank will actually end up being 48x49.. not 48x48

You have to account for glass thickness as well. You will have a 1" over hang. my tank is not actually 72x72.. its really 72x73. (1/2" glass)

Do a plywood bottom. Use the 90 gal for the sump.
 
Also where I am wanting to put the tank I will only be able to access the front so do you think I should make it shorter front to back?
 
Depends how you stock it and set it up too. I can get down the sides of my 8x4' footprint tank [just!] and there is still a huge zone I can't reach. I have powerheads moving the waste around and a very long rigid siphon if I need to reach the back. It can be done, but you have to ask yourself if you'll be happy not being able to reach half your tank. If you're the kind of person who wants a minimal scape and doesn't tend to change it around it will be fine, but if you like rearranging stuff or are often catching fish then I'd say it would be a bad idea.
 
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