What is the cheapest/easiest tank?

[kittyhazelton]

Taking in cost of materials, time spent to build it, and amount of craftmanship required.....

I want a 6' X 2' X 2' tank. That will be viewed from the front, and accessed from the top. It will hold saltwater.

How would I go about building one? Would it be cheaper to build my own than to buy? 135gal tanks go for about $500-$700 where I'm at. Would I be better off just buying one?

I'm bored and want a challenge.

 

[frnchjeep]

Are you going to need to move it? With a tank that small, it might be easier to just buy a glass 180. You could make a block tank, but that is kinda overkill for a 180. You could build a wood tank, but you need to have some idea how to design it so it is structurally sound. I think blocks would be easiest and strongest, but you should go bigger.

 

[pwmin]

probably best off just buying a 180 on craigslist or something. if youre going to make one you may as well get full sheets of acrylic and make something 8 ft long.

 

[kittyhazelton]

Ok, so bigger being better, if I'm gonna build one I may as well make it big the first time....

How about something thats.....

8' long, 2' high, and 2' deep? CANNOT be a permanent fixture because I rent my home.
For a wood tank how would I go about doing this? What size lumber should I use for the frame? Could I use the glass panels from a 75 gallon tank for a viewing area?