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Opinions Needed For Scratch Built Tank


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Hello everyone! :)

 

First post and first reef tank build. Several years ago I came across 4 sheets of clear glass sitting outside a dumpster, each measure 29Lx12H and are approximately 9.3mm thick. They have flat edges and corners, but not sharp enough to cut. Not sure what they were used for or what the intent was originally, each piece was wrapped in brown paper. I'm thinking about building a shallow reef tank with a coated plywood bottom.

 

Would like your input on how you would go about building the tank.

 

1. Build a square 29x29x12 reef tank. Approximately 43.69gal

 

2. Build a triangle tank. Approximately 21.84gal

 

3. Would you frame either one up and build a custom hood to top it off?

 

4. Would either size have to have support members across the top for strength?

 

5. Does anyone know of a laminate or other covering that could be used on the plywood bottom that silicone adheres to other than a sealer? How you you go about the bottom?

 

I haven't come across any triangle shaped tanks on the forums and have to wonder if there's any particular reasons why it couldn't be done. Water flow? The corners not matching up squarely? The corners could be heavily sealed and framed in. Kinda leaning this direction, might make for an interesting tank.

 

Of course in either case a custom stand would have to be built.

 

Thoughts please, thanks David :rolleyes:

 

 

 

 

 

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Why not just use glass for the bottom? I'd do a traditional square rimless tank. Just get some some RTV silicone, make sure the glass is CLEAN, and you're good to go. Any idea if the glass is tempered?

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Why not just use glass for the bottom? I'd do a traditional square rimless tank. Just get some some RTV silicone, make sure the glass is CLEAN, and you're good to go. Any idea if the glass is tempered?

A glass bottom would be nice and easier to do on a square tank. Haven't priced any sealers yet so cost wise I cant venture to guess. As far as being tempered or not I don't know. I'll have to see if there's a way to tell other than with a hammer! :lol:

Worked in stained glass years ago and still have all my glass cutters, so I might be able to find a larger piece of glass somewhere and cut it to size myself.

Thanks for your reply!

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Triangle tanks have been done by specialty custom places. A DIY triangle tank would make me nervous as hell that it might blow a seem since the glass isn't aligned.

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I would also go for the square tank. Triangle tanks have been done but I don't see any particular reason to have one unless you need a corner tank. Still, you would need to cut the glass because of how a triangle tank is built not all the sides are equal. When you construct a tank you want glass to glass contact. In a normal rectangle tank it's that thin area of silicone where the 2 panels meet that holds everything together. The beads of silicone on the inside of the tank are purely for sealing - they don't contribute strength. So trying to use thick beads of silicone to join glass that's only just barely touching on the corners likely wouldn't be safe.

 

I would also do a glass bottom. Probably use 3/8" glass which shouldn't cost a ton - get quotes from at least 3 different glass stores though. Plywood would be cool but I think it would lose seal going glass to wood. Plywood tanks can be successful but thats usually wood to wood for all but the viewing pane.

 

If you're using 9.3mm glass a support brace shouldn't be needed since the tank is so shallow it won't have much water pressure considering that thickness of glass.

 

I would second a tube of food safe RTV for silicone - strong and safe for the inhabitants once cured. Can be had for around $10 or so.

 

You can use this glass whether it's tempered or not, but you should really find out if it is or not. Use google it's not that hard to find out whether it's tempered or not. Even if it is tempered you could find a bottom piece that isn't and drill that if you want a sump.

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Thanks everybody!

Square it is, glass bottom and use RTV for sealant. Being my first build, I'm glad to have asked here first instead of diving right in with the triangle and making a very costly mistake! This is going to be a slow process since, like so many others, on a shoestring budget.

 

On a whim I stopped at a local discount store, (little bit o everything store) and managed to pick up a Hydor Koralia 425 for 5 bucks the first one we plugged in didn't work so she threw it in for free, got it home took it apart, put it back together and BONUS it worked! Also got an Aqueon Pro 50 heater for 7, that probably wouldn't be enough for this build only rated for up to 20gal, picked it up when considering on just going with a ten gallon. She had I think one more 425 and two 240's for the same price. A medium or large Lees Skimmer for 8, various air pumps for 8 and more different size heaters for 8 each. All in the box. Sounds like I might be going back for a few more items now.

 

Question, she had an inline UV sterilizer for 13, cant remember the size offhand, is that anything to be considered for this size reef? Even if not I'd probably be kicking myself in the butt down the road for not picking it up at that price. omgomgomg

Thanks again

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Thanks everybody!

Square it is, glass bottom and use RTV for sealant. Being my first build, I'm glad to have asked here first instead of diving right in with the triangle and making a very costly mistake! This is going to be a slow process since, like so many others, on a shoestring budget.

 

On a whim I stopped at a local discount store, (little bit o everything store) and managed to pick up a Hydor Koralia 425 for 5 bucks the first one we plugged in didn't work so she threw it in for free, got it home took it apart, put it back together and BONUS it worked! Also got an Aqueon Pro 50 heater for 7, that probably wouldn't be enough for this build only rated for up to 20gal, picked it up when considering on just going with a ten gallon. She had I think one more 425 and two 240's for the same price. A medium or large Lees Skimmer for 8, various air pumps for 8 and more different size heaters for 8 each. All in the box. Sounds like I might be going back for a few more items now.

 

Question, she had an inline UV sterilizer for 13, cant remember the size offhand, is that anything to be considered for this size reef? Even if not I'd probably be kicking myself in the butt down the road for not picking it up at that price. omgomgomg

Thanks again

Some super nice deals! As far as the heater goes, it won't be enough for that size, ut I personally like running two heaters over just one incase one fails!

 

UV sterilizer would be a great addition IMO. It is certainly not needed but for 13 bucks plus say 2-30 for a new bulb you cant really go wrong!

 

What are you planning for filtration? Sump? AIO?

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Some super nice deals! As far as the heater goes, it won't be enough for that size, ut I personally like running two heaters over just one incase one fails!

 

UV sterilizer would be a great addition IMO. It is certainly not needed but for 13 bucks plus say 2-30 for a new bulb you cant really go wrong!

 

What are you planning for filtration? Sump? AIO?

Like the idea of having a backup heater. Have to keep that in mind.

Filtration? Sorry to say after posting this thread, but this tank might be on hold. Due to my wife's concerns over its footprint in the available floor space we have. She has a say in this also after 30 years of marriage plus the costs. I might just go ahead and build the tank itself w/o filtration in the garage and worry about where to set it up later. Perhaps she'll see it a little differently after seeing the actual tank and not just how she imagines it.

 

I do have a green light for say a 10 or 5.5 Pico setup. This I could do on my office workbench and with smaller setup costs.

 

Thanks for your replies, the knowledge is good to have no matter what I end up doing. The main thing is to do something and some of the Pico/Nano reefs on the forums are simply amazing as to how much can actually be accomplished in such a small space! I had a 29 saltwater way back when a hobbyist could only dream of having their own little slice of reef, but with the advancements in techniques, equipment and other peoples efforts, failures and successes, it's inspired me to give it a go. Back before the internet it was much easier for elitists to keep their secrets hidden from the general public... ;)

 

As far as the supplies at that store, your right Chappy, to good to pass by and if I don't use em someone else might need them.

David

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The footprint on that tank will be amazing though... But building a system that size would cost probably $1,000-$1,500 (over time) even being frugal. There might be an opportunity if you can find someone taking down a reef and you get a bunch of livestock for cheaper.

 

I would avoid used heaters. Actually try and get the best heater you can. Heaters use crappy mechanical thermostats that tend to fail at some point. So buy a good one and if possible use a temperature controller. Many reef tanks crash as a result of a malfunctioning heater.

 

As for your green light - there are plenty of cool 10g reefs out there!

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what about cutting one of the 29*12 sheets and doing a long shallow tank 29*12*12? that's be just under 20 gallons, so close to what you would have gotten with the triangular design you were thinking about, but with a smaller, more space and wife-friendly footprint.

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