Glass Tank Bracing and Thickness Questions

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
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FLESHY

Polypterus
MFK Member
Jan 7, 2006
5,542
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Central Wisconsin
Hey guys - after loosing out on a nice tank to upgrade my piranhas to I started looking at some DIY stuff.

The process of building a glass aquarium especially if you get cheap glass and it comes cut to specifications seems really low.

I am considering making a 106 gallon tank, with the dimensions of 5'x2'x17".

I picked these dimensions because it was as deep as they would let me go with glass thickness under 0.25".

I used this calculator: http://www.theaquatools.com/building-your-aquarium

It says nothing about bracing, and to be honest after reading up in a couple different locations, the no bracing thing (or framing) has me very worried.

What can I do to brace it? How big should the braces be? How should they be attached?

Is there any way for me to frame the tank to help keep it square and support it when its filled?

I know from experience that thin glass has issues staying together. Will 1/4" work for this build?

Thanks for any input!
 
Why not buy a 120 or 150 used with the same footprint of 5'x2'?
Unless you get the glass for free it will most likely be cheaper to buy used. If you do end up building id go with atleast 3/8" glass just to be safe and research "euro bracing" on how to brace the tank.

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Those calculations are based on "standard" glass aquarium bracing, probably three front-to-back across the top (one at each end, one centrally) I'd say at the very least 4" wide, and probably bracing running left-to-right at the top and bottom of the front and rear panels.

I agree that you may just be better off buying a used 5x2x2' tank unless you can get the 6mm glass cheap/free.
 
There's little to nothing used around here, and people ask rediculous prices.

$500 for a 65 with some piranhas : http://wausau.craigslist.org/hsh/3818343202.html

A guy did just contact me about a 100g 6'x18" and Im going to try to work out some trades...still interested in doing this. Seems like a nice way to get a good footprint.

Cost to build a custom tank is less than buying used tanks of worthless dimensions...I just worry about framing the tank up right.
 
Glasscages lists glass 135's (72x18x25) for $369 and appears to include Madison on their truck routes. I assume that is just the tank, but that seems reasonable for something you don't have to build yourself. I'm not sure if you haven't found a builder locally or just don't think that fits your needs.
 
Glass price is $159.

Considering doing a plywood, as a friend has all the necessary tools.

Plywood tank would be larger, along the lines of 5'x4'x2'. 300g
 
FLESHY said:
There's little to nothing used around here, and people ask rediculous prices.

$500 for a 65 with some piranhas : http://wausau.craigslist.org/hsh/3818343202.html
Click to expand...



It is insane up here! I did get 2 120s for $200 a piece last year though. I know a couple people looking to sell their tanks though. I'll let you know their contact info when I run into them again if you'd like.
 
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