My DIY tank idea - Aquarium Advice

fish_4_all · 07-22-2007, 04:16 PM

It isn;t really that much different than the norm but after seeing the one thread about the tank exploding I thought I would ask and see if my idea is feasible.

The basics are the same, the glass is all siliconed together the same way but on each corner I have a piece of framing made out of wood that is also siliconed to glass. This provides a support for the edges and sides and also keep one from hitting the corners just right and breaking the tank that way. It also allows me to customize hom high I make the supports in order to hide the substrate and make it look as if the tank starts right at the top of the wood and not see all the gravel underneath.

I just need to know if there is any reason why having wood touch the glass on the bottom wether inside the sides or not would lead to catastophic failure? I would have foam under it to support the glass like I have heard will work.

Anyone have any idea if this will work or not?

Lepomis · 07-22-2007, 05:33 PM

That is how one of my tanks is constructed. I believe it was built in the early 80's. No problems yet. It was a salt water reef tank for 10 plus years then garage kept. I have had it set up as freshwater tank for around 2 years now.

Sicklid · 07-25-2007, 09:04 PM

I would say if you can seal the wood with a marine varnish/polyurethane first, even on the side you are putting against the glass, you should be fine... sounds like it will look nice!

ezy33 · 07-25-2007, 09:16 PM

Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I assumed that the glass was super glued then siliconed to seal. And the bottom is tempered glass.

CHBGator · 07-25-2007, 10:24 PM

Nope the silicone is what holds it together long with in most cases the plastic frame.

Sicklid · 07-25-2007, 11:39 PM

If you look really really closely at the joint of many glass tanks, the glass panels do not actually touch... this is because the silicone bead needs to be a certain thickness to actually work... if the sides are pressed to hard together, and too much silicone squeezes out, it will not be as strong as if there is a 1/32" bead of silicone there.

07-22-2007, 04:16 PM	#1
fish_4_all Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Aberdeen, WA Posts: 1,809 Images: 4	My DIY tank idea It isn;t really that much different than the norm but after seeing the one thread about the tank exploding I thought I would ask and see if my idea is feasible. The basics are the same, the glass is all siliconed together the same way but on each corner I have a piece of framing made out of wood that is also siliconed to glass. This provides a support for the edges and sides and also keep one from hitting the corners just right and breaking the tank that way. It also allows me to customize hom high I make the supports in order to hide the substrate and make it look as if the tank starts right at the top of the wood and not see all the gravel underneath. I just need to know if there is any reason why having wood touch the glass on the bottom wether inside the sides or not would lead to catastophic failure? I would have foam under it to support the glass like I have heard will work. Anyone have any idea if this will work or not?

07-25-2007, 09:16 PM	#4
ezy33 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pinole California Posts: 293 Images: 13	Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I assumed that the glass was super glued then siliconed to seal. And the bottom is tempered glass. __________________ 9 gal nano 55 gal reef 180 gal predator reef

07-25-2007, 10:24 PM	#5
CHBGator Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 99 Images: 2	Nope the silicone is what holds it together long with in most cases the plastic frame. __________________ 600G South American Tank

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
DIY Chiller Idea with HOB	thanew	DIY Projects	5	07-16-2007 09:03 PM
DIY Denitrator Idea?	Wallace	DIY Projects	11	09-07-2006 11:34 AM
DIY Chiller idea??'s	mkobu	DIY Projects	3	07-06-2006 04:44 PM
DIY Chiller Idea	flanque	DIY Projects	9	07-06-2006 03:52 PM
another fuge idea (diy)	greatgman	Saltwater & Reef - Archive	8	12-11-2004 07:09 AM

07-22-2007, 05:33 PM	#2
Lepomis Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 335	That is how one of my tanks is constructed. I believe it was built in the early 80's. No problems yet. It was a salt water reef tank for 10 plus years then garage kept. I have had it set up as freshwater tank for around 2 years now.

07-25-2007, 09:04 PM	#3
Sicklid Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tarpon Springs FL Posts: 658 Images: 4	I would say if you can seal the wood with a marine varnish/polyurethane first, even on the side you are putting against the glass, you should be fine... sounds like it will look nice!

07-25-2007, 11:39 PM	#6
Sicklid Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tarpon Springs FL Posts: 658 Images: 4	If you look really really closely at the joint of many glass tanks, the glass panels do not actually touch... this is because the silicone bead needs to be a certain thickness to actually work... if the sides are pressed to hard together, and too much silicone squeezes out, it will not be as strong as if there is a 1/32" bead of silicone there.