Building a tank

domination2580 · Feb 25, 2018

I'd like to try making an acrylic frag tank. 40 gallon with middle overflow. Would 3/4 work? I want rimless. Would I place the sides on top of the bottom panel or along the edges of the bottom? What would I use to connect them? Clean them?

domination2580 · Feb 26, 2018

Was thinking a 2'6" by 2'6" and 1'6" ft deep
So if I'm correct it stood be more towards 55 gallons

coseal · Feb 26, 2018

the sides will bow with no bracing at the top... you can use weld-on #3 or #4 for assembly. i use and like novus products for cleaning after construction.

there is a super helpful thread here in the diy section really worth a skim over atleast..

domination2580 · Feb 26, 2018

What would you recommend to not bow?

domination2580 · Feb 26, 2018

And how would I euro brace it?

coseal · Feb 26, 2018

domination2580 said:
What would you recommend to not bow?

Glass.....

I don’t quite understand your eurobrace question? Most acrylic tanks are made with 6 panels. The top brace is usually a panel with a hole cut in it or... you could attach acrylic strips along the top edge or inset for the strips your choice. if you go the panel with hole route you would affix the panel to the top of the walls. Really should check this thread out! It will blow your mind! A few pros have posted in it.... lots of good info.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/acrylic-fabrication-q-a.224773/page-58#post-4474444

domination2580 · Feb 26, 2018

I have checked on that but some of goes above my head....lol.if I did the 6 panel thing I'm wondering how much of a lip I need to support the tank along the dges

coseal · Feb 26, 2018

Really depends on what thickness you use for the side panels. The thinner the sides the more brace you need.

domination2580 · Apr 2, 2018

coseal said:
Really depends on what thickness you use for the side panels. The thinner the sides the more brace you need.

So I put in dimensions for a tank on garf website thing... came out to 70 gallons.... but has a 2" brace alongg the top... this is using 3/4" glass..... if I used 1" do you think I would need the brace?

zcedric · Apr 2, 2018

1/2 glass rimless. no problem up to 2' high.

domination2580 · Apr 2, 2018

zcedric said:
1/2 glass rimless. no problem up to 2' high.

Ok. So do the sides go on top of the bottom or along side of it?

zcedric · Apr 2, 2018

Along the side and i would use about 1mm gab between the glasses for sealant. I like to use a good sealant like RTV 100 Adhesive.
Also a 1/2" of styrofoam right under the tank on a 1/2" wooden plate in perfect level.

zcedric · Apr 2, 2018

zcedric said:
Along the side and i would use about 1mm gab between the glasses for sealant. I like to use a good sealant like RTV 100 Adhesive.
Also a 1/2" of styrofoam right under the tank on a 1/2" wooden plate in perfect level.

I just build that for about 3 weeks ago. I am gonna make soon a build article about it. It's now up and running. Its 1/2" glass rimless tank, 2' deep. 75gallon.

domination2580 · Apr 2, 2018

zcedric said:
I just build that for about 3 weeks ago. I am gonna make soon a build article about it. It's now up and running. Its 1/2" glass rimless tank, 2' deep. 75gallon.

I'm only going to be having about 18" high...

zcedric · Apr 2, 2018

domination2580 said:
I'm only going to be having about 18" high...

Probably 3/8 can make it if you do a good sealtant job. The glass may bent a bit but should be fine. If you don't like a bent use 1/2".
Acryl I would go one size bigger. 3/4" or even 1 inch if you want to go full secure..