DIY Tank - ISO Advice

dylanjs · 12/12/2011, 11:12 PM

Hi all,

I'm back at Reef Central after almost 4 years away from the hobby. Nice to be back!

I'm thinking about making a DIY tank for a spot in my kitchen's dining area. My ideal dimensions are 4' L x 16-20" D x 18" H.

Does anyone have words of wisdom for me on the following topics:

Acrylic vs Glass?
Material resources in NYC area?
Pre-existing plans?
Critique of dimensions?

Thanks in advance,

Dylan

jrapp13 · 12/12/2011, 11:23 PM

Wouldn't it be much simpler to just use a 75g tank? Or are you just doing this for fun?

dylanjs · 12/12/2011, 11:26 PM

It's more for fun. I need a project. :-)

coralnut99 · 12/13/2011, 09:40 AM

Well idle minds................

NYC presents some interesting issues I think. Apartment? Condo? Against a wall or island/room divider?

Working with acrylic requires entirely different techniques and tools, and having never built one, I'll just leave that one for the acrylic gurus in this forum. My only comment would be that if this is a room divider of some sort, acrylic may not be the best choice for an area that will see some traffic.

Building glass tanks is just a whole different game. The very first thing I recommend to people thinking it over is to build a small glass box about the size of a 5g. Silicones can be tough to work with if you've never done it.

Fun is one thing, but I think NYC prices for glass may take some of the fun out of it. Develop a cut list that includes eurobracing strips and get it priced out before you go much further.

12/12/2011, 11:12 PM	#1
dylanjs Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 2	DIY Tank - ISO Advice Hi all, I'm back at Reef Central after almost 4 years away from the hobby. Nice to be back! I'm thinking about making a DIY tank for a spot in my kitchen's dining area. My ideal dimensions are 4' L x 16-20" D x 18" H. Does anyone have words of wisdom for me on the following topics: Acrylic vs Glass? Material resources in NYC area? Pre-existing plans? Critique of dimensions? Thanks in advance, Dylan

12/13/2011, 09:40 AM	#4
coralnut99 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bushkill, PA Posts: 3,639	Well idle minds................ NYC presents some interesting issues I think. Apartment? Condo? Against a wall or island/room divider? Working with acrylic requires entirely different techniques and tools, and having never built one, I'll just leave that one for the acrylic gurus in this forum. My only comment would be that if this is a room divider of some sort, acrylic may not be the best choice for an area that will see some traffic. Building glass tanks is just a whole different game. The very first thing I recommend to people thinking it over is to build a small glass box about the size of a 5g. Silicones can be tough to work with if you've never done it. Fun is one thing, but I think NYC prices for glass may take some of the fun out of it. Develop a cut list that includes eurobracing strips and get it priced out before you go much further. __________________ Why can't my wife see this stuff as an investment? Current Tank Info: way too much to list, and still adding more!

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12/12/2011, 11:23 PM	#2
jrapp13 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 73	Wouldn't it be much simpler to just use a 75g tank? Or are you just doing this for fun?

12/12/2011, 11:26 PM	#3
dylanjs Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 2	It's more for fun. I need a project. :-)