DIY Aquarium size help

[RANCE]

I was wondering what size tank everyone would recommend for a first time diy aquarium that will be cheap.

 

[LittleMonsterFun]

I found out that DIY doesnt mean cheap, it means cheaper. With DIY, its going to be more expensive unless A) your building a larger tank (300+ gallons), or you have free resources such as glass or acrylic.

 

[john73738]

Not necessarily... I built my 240 for around $700 including stand, and custom filter. Trick is knowing where to save. Keep the height under 24" and you can use 3/8" glass. Huge savings! $120 for my 8' piece of glass.

Best part for me is the fact that I did it myself.

 

[knifegill]

$120 for an 8' panel?! I didn't know it was that cheap! Or do you know a guy?

 

[Industrial]

If you do DIY make sure it is something you cannot buy (2+ feet wide, odd length, shallower tank) or else it's cheaper just to buy the tank used.

 

[kallmond]

If you have a 55g tank, you can take it apart and use the glass to make a 100 for the cost of 1 sheet of plywood plus waterproofing and screws.

If you look on freecycle and craigslist you can find 55's for free/nearly free. (I've gotten 2 55's for free on freecycle, and a 150 for $100 on craigslist, but it took about 6 months of looking/waiting)

I think someone here used a 55 to make an 8 x 24 x 24 with 2 front windows.

Besides the "I did it myself" being able to make custom sizes/shapes is the real benefit of DIY to me.

 

[john73738]

$120 for an 8' panel?! I didn't know it was that cheap! Or do you know a guy?

One of our aquarium shops here will order glass for you.

 

[nes999]

for me its like 240 for 10footer at half inch. sucks though my tank is 32inch tall

 

[nes999]

well 11 dollars a sq ft

 

[Burko]

1st building anything? Or just a tank?

Anyhoop I'd start with a practice tank that was easily affordable.

Breaking down an old tank sounds like a good idea...