I have a Crackpot idea!!

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FINWIN

FINWIN

Alligator Gar
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Dec 21, 2018
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So I'm thinking, "What if I could make a cheap alternative tank with a viewing panel?" So it came to me. What if I took a large (or smaller) clear tote, cut out a window and silicone a glass or plexiglass panel to the inside? Would it work? I know the totes bow out with heavy water but would a thick enough panel reduce that? This crazed mind wants to know. :headbang2
 
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I looked into this a bit with large polyethylene boxes but could never come to any kind of design that would save money or otherwise be advantageous over a plywood build. Silicone does not bond so well to plastic as to create a lasting structural seal without some type of secure mounting brackets or bolts.

Ideas for PE tank build

I'm considering trying a build involving a polyethylene stock tank with a viewing window. I recently picked up a piece of 3/4" glass 36"x60" that i intend to use for the window. This is the tank i was considering...
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FINWIN FINWIN , you surprised be a bit there. I read the thread title, then glanced at the poster's name expecting it to be one of the names from a short list I had in mind. Didn't expect you! :)

But, even if it's not workable, it's not really classic crackpot, so...;)
 
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jjohnwm said:
FINWIN FINWIN , you surprised be a bit there. I read the thread title, then glanced at the poster's name expecting it to be one of the names from a short list I had in mind. Didn't expect you! :)

But, even if it's not workable, it's not really classic crackpot, so...;)
Click to expand...

Heh, well its not as cracky as me putting Brick in a 30 gallon! :nilly:

Somebody used styrofoam freezer boxes with panes but I don't know how they held up on the seals... Might try a test on a small scale. Will poke around on YouTube and see what I can find.
 
Actually, I thought there was a similar thread on here once upon a time. May have been an acrylic window rather than glass. I think the person made some kind of frame and bolted it in place, with silicone or some other material as a gasket?
 
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jjohnwm said:
Actually, I thought there was a similar thread on here once upon a time. May have been an acrylic window rather than glass. I think the person made some kind of frame and bolted it in place, with silicone or some other material as a gasket?
Click to expand...

Kind of sounds familiar but I'm not sure where its located. Maybe the diy threads.
 
Forget about those flimsy little stackable storage crates you get from the home DIY stores. They're thin walled, I wouldn't trust their longevity, plus they're too small anyway to even make it a worthwhile project.

But if you went the industrial route, ie big old thick walled heavy duty totes then it can be done, I've seen a few threads over the years on here.

The main problem you have, as mentioned, is silicones inability to adhere to plastic. But you'd get round this by using the silicon as a gasket only. The structural integrity of the viewing panel would come from actually bolting it to the actual crate/tote/box, whatever you want to call it.

At work we have all manor of large totes coming and going regularly. Heavy duty with thick walls so bowing is of little concern. I've toyed with the idea in the past of doing something with them, but never got round to it. You can pick these type of totes up on line from salvage places and such.

Below is an example of one of the many types of totes we get in. As you can see they also make great paddling pools for when there's a heatwave, lol.

IMG_20220813_132252_HDR.jpg
 
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esoxlucius said:
Forget about those flimsy little stackable storage crates you get from the home DIY stores. They're thin walled, I wouldn't trust their longevity, plus they're too small anyway to even make it a worthwhile project.

But if you went the industrial route, ie big old thick walled heavy duty totes then it can be done, I've seen a few threads over the years on here.

The main problem you have, as mentioned, is silicones inability to adhere to plastic. But you'd get round this by using the silicon as a gasket only. The structural integrity of the viewing panel would come from actually bolting it to the actual crate/tote/box, whatever you want to call it.

At work we have all manor of large totes coming and going regularly. Heavy duty with thick walls so bowing is of little concern. I've toyed with the idea in the past of doing something with them, but never got round to it. You can pick these type of totes up on line from salvage places and such.

Below is an example of one of the many types of totes we get in. As you can see they also make great paddling pools for when there's a heatwave, lol.

View attachment 1501312
Click to expand...

Lol I've had a smaller tote of that same design for years that has held fish several times over the years. The rim is perfect for HOBs.
 
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esoxlucius said:
Forget about those flimsy little stackable storage crates you get from the home DIY stores. They're thin walled, I wouldn't trust their longevity, plus they're too small anyway to even make it a worthwhile project.

But if you went the industrial route, ie big old thick walled heavy duty totes then it can be done, I've seen a few threads over the years on here.

The main problem you have, as mentioned, is silicones inability to adhere to plastic. But you'd get round this by using the silicon as a gasket only. The structural integrity of the viewing panel would come from actually bolting it to the actual crate/tote/box, whatever you want to call it.

At work we have all manor of large totes coming and going regularly. Heavy duty with thick walls so bowing is of little concern. I've toyed with the idea in the past of doing something with them, but never got round to it. You can pick these type of totes up on line from salvage places and such.

Below is an example of one of the many types of totes we get in. As you can see they also make great paddling pools for when there's a heatwave, lol.

View attachment 1501312
Click to expand...

I had no idea those totes were so big!
 
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