Help - I want to build a fish tank

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
People are discouraging you because mny of us have experience building, rebuilding, or resealing tanks, and know what a pain it is to do. And how time consuming it is to do right.

The time and money involved in building a tank from scratch could be easily avoided by driving an hour or two in your car and picking up a tank at the LFS or petco/petsmart.

A 60gal won't run much more than $100 brand new

I'm a diy guy I like doing things my self, but I know when to admit that I'm not coming out ahead by doing something my self.

That being said. ...

If you build it your self I'd be concerned with how it sits on the stand without trim

A good idea would be to order replacement plastic trim for a standard sized tank. I think I only paid $16 a piece for my 40b trim pieces. Bim pretty sure Glass cages ships trim at a decent price. Have your glass cut at a glass shop to the correct dimensions (with the correct thickness) and use the plastic trim as a jig.

Buy a good RTV silicone.

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U can always order the braces that fit around the aquarium from Marineland or all glass. Whichever fits the dimensions best

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Aren't you in or close to Omaha? Fish Freaks on Mockingbird Rd carries glass and acrylic tanks up to 300 gals.

Due to the cost of the materials for building a single aquarium under 300 gals, I always recommend to people to buy either a new or used commercially produced aquarium. It'll be less expensive and a bought tank will have a warranty.

I've bought all of my 126 aquariums for less than $3 a gallon (usually a buck a gallon) by posting ads in the local classified papers around tax time and the major holidays. There are some great deals out there.
 
This is the response from glasscages to my inquiry about shipping rates (for a 55-60 gallon tank)

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Shipping cost too height of this standard sized tank. You can buy locally for less."

Think I will stop here. Maybe some day Walmart will restock their 55 gallon tank, or maybe I find one eventually at a local yard sale. Thanks to all who helped and convinced me that building the tank myself was way "over my head"!



 
Going back to a previous question, are you in or near Omaha (going by your IP)? There are several resources in your area that should readily stock a tank in the size you're looking for.

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Thanks for your list, Oddball. That is a 2 hours driving from here to Omaha and I can't do that atm, I really like a combo of a 60 gallon tank with stand for $199 @ PetSmart, maybe in the future I could be able to make it.

Dmopar74, I can use a tape measure, but some here said that a 60 gallon fish tank wouldn't be right for my first tank building adventure. Still I think this would be my only option.

Thanks to all!
 
Simple math, ...a 2 hour drive will save you 2 weeks of getting materials together (which will likely involve driving time, too) and assembling the tank with the needed curing time. Plus, the added bonus of buying under warranty.

Just trying to simplify the situation.
 
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