Need help on building a tank

[zach c.]

Hey guys i just signed up, my names zach my friend told me about this site when i asked for some tips about building my own glass tank. and you guys got some real amazing tanks and fish . now i dont have fish but i got some cool turtles and there only 2" now i had them since they were baby hatchlings and at full grown there gonna get about 12" so im going to need a big tank. and buying the size i want is expensive so since my dad is a real handy kinda guy i figured me and him could build a tank i want atleast a 150gallon long style not the small and tall and i plan on using 3/8 or 1/2 inch for glass and GE silicon I windows and doors now is that silicone good? cuz i can buy a 4 pack at lowes for 15$ or i can get the small tubes of aquarium silicone from walmart but ill need alot of those lol, so if u guys have any tips at all or anything i should know please let me know this is the 1st tank ill be building and i checked out that graf thing that gives me the materials i need and stuff and when i build it should i build on top of the bottom peice or should i build the sides surrounding the bottom peice of glass and also what are some good measurments for a 150 gallon long LxWxH but it still needs to have good depth. Thanks.

 

[jem454]

For the most part unless your building bigger than 300 gallons, its cheaper to buy a tank. Glass and acrylic prices are ridiculous.

 

[zach c.]

for 135 gallon tank it would cost me 270 for the tank and the shipping would cost me 300-400 or more. and the glass shop thats in my town knows my family

 

[jem454]

You cant buy a tank locally without shipping?
Most glass places are close to 200 dollars for a piece of 93" glass

 

[Dr Joe]

Build it to suit your space and your turtles' needs.

What kind of turtles have you got?

Full aquatic or partially terrestrial?

(I could just suggest an 8ft x 4ft x 3ft high with 2 center drains and a 55g W/D and extra filtration area and most all will cope in there, but I don't think that's what your looking for here )

Filtration is going to be a big part of a DIY turtle tank if your smart and want healthy critters.

Having a friend in the glass business is definitely going to be a big plus here!.

Dr Joe

.

 

[zach c.]

red ear sliders they love as much water as u can possibly fit in a tank. the more water they have the happier they are i want a 150g long style say 60" long or 72" long but i need a width and height to go with that 24" high maybe?? also my biggest question is would i build on top of the bottom peice of glass or do i build surrounding the bottom??

 

[amehel0]

surrounding. thats how my local aquarium builder does it.

 

[zach c.]

i got a question about assembling the peices together should you only do 1 peice at a time and then wait about a day or 2 before siliconing the other? like say connect the back piece of glass to the bottom and clamp it togeter and let it cure before doing another peice of glass or can u assemble it all at once??? my dimmensions are going to be 60x24x25 with 1/2" glass

 

[Dr Joe]

Yeah, I've had a lot of sliders, they're a great turtle, you have to give them a good sized basking area that won't allow them to crawl out of the tank. Oh, don't forget the splash factor .

Use bar clamps (strap clamps don't put as even a pressure and don't square up as easily) and do all 4 sides and bottom at once. Construct on a know flat surface & check for squareness.

Dr Joe

.

 

[zach c.]

all 4 sides surrounding the bottom piece right? also does anyone have anypics of how they clamped the glass together?? and how long do i leave the clamps on for?