Do it yourself?

[Prisnic]

Has anyone ever assembled their own tank? I am thinking of building my own tank. At times I am confident and at others somewhat skeptical. I am no schlep if that's a word. I can hold my own with using my hands and building stuff. It just seems to easy to save myself $1,000.00. Any input?​

 

[m and m]

It comes down to what kinda person you are. Me id rather pay and have it done, Tyrlee can do it himself and do it right so saves the money.

 

[beaslbob]

Has anyone ever assembled their own tank? I am thinking of building my own tank. At times I am confident and at others somewhat skeptical. I am no schlep if that's a word. I can hold my own with using my hands and building stuff. It just seems to easy to save myself $1,000.00. Any input?​

Yea

you won't save yourself the $1,000.

It is actually very easy to physically build a tank. The pricey part is the cost of the glass.

it think.

 

[clowns101]

Its cheaper to build it from acrylic,and its much safer!

 

[btkrausen]

I would honestly leave it up to the professionals. I mean, I wouldn't want to build my own tank, have all the money invested in fish and corals, and then bam, it falls apart cause you had a air bubble in there or something. At least with a tank, you have the manufacturer to fall back on if something goes haywire.

 

[m and m]

I would honestly leave it up to the professionals. I mean, I wouldn't want to build my own tank, have all the money invested in fish and corals, and then bam, it falls apart cause you had a air bubble in there or something. At least with a tank, you have the manufacturer to fall back on if something goes haywire.

Most don't cover there tanks for that long 2-3 years. Also if he wants to save over 1000 im sure he is going with a larger tank guys.

 

[Prisnic]

I think I am gonna go for it!

 

[m and m]

Your gonna build your own tank? Are you going to use low iron glass and what kinda over flow are you going to go with?

 

[aalvarado87]

yeah i recently built a tank and it wasnt all that hard but i am sorry i would not build a big tank my is like 28 gallons. A large tank i believe has more room for error. I am not saying that it can't be done but i think i would leave that one to the pros. A buddy of mine built an 80 gallon tank and it is doing just fine. if you do choose to do it make sure you have help and really push together those seems.

 

[soccerbag]

I think I am gonna go for it!

I think that's great man. You may want to start with something small. Build a nano sized tank.....learn some lessons from that one that you can apply to the next build. It would be a great thread here on R2R and i would love to see it. There are many folks here who can give you some pointers.

 

[Troylee]

I've built every tank I have ever owned!!! Even building one for a lucky winner in our big give away...1smile1

 

[m and m]

yeah i recently built a tank and it wasnt all that hard but i am sorry i would not build a big tank my is like 28 gallons. A large tank i believe has more room for error. I am not saying that it can't be done but i think i would leave that one to the pros. A buddy of mine built an 80 gallon tank and it is doing just fine. if you do choose to do it make sure you have help and really push together those seems.

Isnt there a piece that you put on the corners of the tank that looks like a triangle and it just pushes both sides together and you can leave it on for as long as you want?

 

[aalvarado87]

are you referring to corner clamps? i used those to give me a perfect 90 degree corner but then i use those long clamps to squeeze together the side to hold it snug so that there werent any gaps between the glass and silicone. clamps like these guys i used two on each side

 

[m and m]

I've built every tank I have ever owned!!! Even building one for a lucky winner in our big give away...1smile1

Does a bob the builder laser scetch come on the front like a logo?

are you referring to corner clamps? i used those to give me a perfect 90 degree corner but then i use those long clamps to squeeze together the side to hold it snug so that there werent any gaps between the glass and silicone. clamps like these guys i used two on each side

no thats not what im talking about let me see if i can dig up a picture of them being used.

 

[Troylee]

ahahahahahahah good one....:xd:

 

[Prisnic]

Troylee! Any pointers. I am going for the gusto, 80" x 28" x 24" deep about 240gal. Do I need to clamp it. If so do I clamp it tight? Just wondering if I clamp to tight wont that squeeze out all the silicone?:tongue:

 

[Prisnic]

Starfire glass with an internal overflow.

 

[Prisnic]

Troylee! Any pointers. I am going for the gusto, 80" x 28" x 24" deep about 240gal. Do I need to clamp it. If so do I clamp it tight? Just wondering if I clamp to tight wont that squeeze out all the silicone?:tongue:

 

[cparka23]

I saw a thread where a guy built his own nano, and someone pointed out a detail that I thought was very important to know for working with glass. Put the bottom pane inside of the side pieces of glass. If the side pieces are instead set on top of the bottom pane, the silicone is more likely to fail due to shearing stress.

That being said, that's a huge tank to be doing a DIY.

 

[tangboy]

Well isn't the saying "If you're going to do it, go big" count here? Sounds like it does! I myself would not try anything over 50 gallons for my lack of knowledge and for the fact that IF it failed, my wife would kick me to the curb!