Glass prices and ordering

[Ninjafish]

ive been schemeing to build a larger tank for a while now. and been looking into buying just the glass and assembling it. the glass shop has quoted me 11.50 a square foot for 3/8 glass, unpolished.

first of all, is this a good deal, and whats involved in polishing it?

second im looking for a 180 or a 200 gallon probably, what would be some good dimensions?

 

[basslover34]

ive been schemeing to build a larger tank for a while now. and been looking into buying just the glass and assembling it. the glass shop has quoted me 11.50 a square foot for 3/8 glass, unpolished.

first of all, is this a good deal, and whats involved in polishing it?

second im looking for a 180 or a 200 gallon probably, what would be some good dimensions?

Good luck finding good tanks there... (I'm orginally from Chatham ) Prices vary alot depending on where your calling.. Call around in London or even Toronto and you'll see the prices drop drastically from St-Thomas

Good luck and keep us posted with your project

P.S depends on what your looking to keep in the tank as to what the demensions should be

 

[Ninjafish]

well right now i have a 90 gal running with two oscars 2 polys and 2 plecos, but ide like to get some big dudes... like an id shark or my local store has a tsn for 10 bucks, hes like 5 inches long. ide like to build a longer tank rather than wider, it has to be able to fit up 3 flights of stairs. lots of room, but ide like to have a long rectangle compared to a square

 

[basslover34]

well right now i have a 90 gal running with two oscars 2 polys and 2 plecos, but ide like to get some big dudes... like an id shark or my local store has a tsn for 10 bucks, hes like 5 inches long. ide like to build a longer tank rather than wider, it has to be able to fit up 3 flights of stairs. lots of room, but ide like to have a long rectangle compared to a square

If your looking to have a ID Shark or a TSN it's got to be a wide tank as these guys get huge and need to be able to turn around... I can't think of any tanks that size that you would want to useonly 3/8" glass on either unless it was just as a window near the top of a tank... not to mention that if your on the 3rd floor... your going to want to check to see if your floor will hold a large tank (St-thomas being what it is I don't know if your in a wood built house or a cement building) I'm assuming that your renting and you'll need to check if the landlord will allow tanks bigger than 150 gallons as if your not and you do get a tank that happens to ... cause damage you could be stuck footing the entire bill as the rental board in Ontario SUCKS balls when it comes to the tenants.

Typical 180 is 72" X 24" X 24" so mock that up in your place and see if you can get it up and down the stairs

 

[Ninjafish]

yeah ive discussed breifly with the landlord when i first moved in... he said he could care less as long as i have renters insurance. and im like 90 percent sure that i have concrete floors. of course ill check... yeah maybe not that big of fish yet lol... ill hold off till i get my own place, but 180 sounds about right for the biggest i can go for now. so 3/8 would or wouldnt work for 180? i can go thicker thats just the price i was quoted.

 

[koop171]

have you seen this thread
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=139898


That's a good starting point for glass thickness. But personally I wouldn't build a 180+ with out at least 1/2" glass. It's better to get more glass then worry about it holding in th long run.

Also if you want to compare prices go to www.glasscages.com and they sell glass buy sq.ft. IMO they are high. but it gives you a good starting point for prices from a manufacturer of large tanks.

 

[Ninjafish]

thanks, that gives me a good idea... just found out actually a buddy of mine knows a guy who works at a glass shop. hes gonna quote me some prices... now that glass thickness guide, is that tempered or normal glass?

 

[Dracor]

Does your renters insurance cover flood or water damage? Might want to check that out as well just in case!