DIY Tank Divider

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House 64

House 64

Polypterus
MFK Member
Jun 26, 2006
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An island somewhere......
I went to an Acrylic/Plastic fabrication & sales shop to get an estimate on a couple of dividers for my new 270g. tanks (72x36x24) and got quotes on Black, 3/8, acrylic cut to size.... I almost fell over when they told me the price! So I downsized the thickness to 1/4.... still way too much! So I purchased 2 sheets of .25" Expanded PVC in Black and decided to make my own.... These dividers are 34"x22.5" and was about a third of the price! Pictures posted in a bit....
 
What were the prices? Sounds like plastic pegboard might have worked.
 
rallysman;2646455; said:
What were the prices? Sounds like plastic pegboard might have worked.
Click to expand...

Sorry, dinner was calling!

For 3/8" acrylic cut to size (without routered slits for water exchange) it was $46 dollar each, 1/4" was about $39..... in quantities of 3.

This Expanded PVC was $15 for a 25"x48" piece. It just takes a little bit to cut it to size and router it to a straight edge (then to put in the necessary slits).

Plastic peg board would have worked but I was looking for something in black and allowed for more water exchange.... about the same price just less work to buy the peg board.
 
I doubled up the two pieces to cut down on labor. Each piece was .25". Router bit was 3/8". It was the first time I've routered PVC so it was a learning lesson. A couple of the slits are a little sloppy, the router got caught up on some tape and wouldn't slide as nicely until I figured it out. (aesthetically it bothers me but it'll have to do for now).

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The slits are 3" on one side, 4" on the other..... about 2" apart. (the last one is an inch from the edge.... :irked:) I used a 1x2 as a my fence (straight edge) to but the router against and to slide it along.

** Sorry, pictures are from my camera phone.... my personal camera wasn't available **

image001-1.jpeg
 
It started getting dark so I was rushing a little bit.... a couple of the lines are ever so slightly crooked. I decided to add 4 horizontal slits for additional water exchange/water flow. These are from the same 3/8" router bits. It didn't take as long as I had thought.... maybe an hour total? It sure made a mess though.... might need a new bit soon too.

I chose black because I wanted to divide the tanks and provide a visual barrier between the two halves of the tank. Hopefully reduce the attention/aggression between cichlids and increase the potential for spawning!

** I know, I goofed and the slits are unevenly spaced on one side to the other.... aesthetics. **

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Looks nice! I doubt you'll notice the defects in the tank.
 
Thanks Rally! I hope not but you know how it is.... nobody else will notice it but I'll know it's there and that's what will eat at me... :irked:

I didn't take a picture of the actual tank but I cut out .5" pieces of clear acrylic and bonded it with Weld-On to the floor of the aquarium. Four pieces (paired up) with a 3/8" in between so these dividers will slide into their slots and the tops will be held in place with suction cups (unless someone can recommend another method to keep it in place that is obscure and not as obtrusive).

Tank is below...

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hey bro i was thinking about putting a fish tank on top of my tool box too lol!!!

nice tank set up whered u get the stands and tank?
 
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