Help with building a 55 or 75 gallon tank

[RadarsShadow]

My dad and I have decided that we are going to try to build my new fishtank, stand and canopy by ourselves. I'm having a hard time finding plans and stuff that you will need (like the type of glue for the glass) I was wondering if anyone on here would know of a good website that I could use.

[algarciajr]

I do not know about a web site but for the glass you can GE Silicone the Type I, do not use Type II.

[imagirlgeek]

I just did a quick search and this one looks pretty good. http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/diy...esignatank.htm

And what algarciajr said is very important. The Type II has anti-mold chemicals in it and will leach into the water and kill the fish. Make sure you get the right silicone for sure.

It would be really cool if you document your work and post it here. Then next time someone wants to build their own aquarium, they can read your article! :)

[RadarsShadow]

I will. It will not be for awile yet but when we do get started I'll start taking pictures. I have to get the blueprints set up, then it will take some time to get the glass in. Right now we are just in the planning stage. I still can't make up my mind if we are going to do a 55 or a 75. On the silicone where would be the best place to get it from, is that the type that you get a pet stores? Sorry for all the questions I just want to do this right.

[cichlid1409]

home depot or lowes carries GE silicone I.

[FrontosaurusRex]

dude, go with the 75g. It isnt that much bigger than a 55g but in my opinion, you can do so much more with it. It has a wider footprint so aquascaping is more fun and pleasing to look at. Plus, we're in Texas where "bigger is better"....how else do you think Delock pulls ladies? LOL. Thats funny right there, I dont care who you are, thats funny....LOL.

[imagirlgeek]

I will. It will not be for awile yet but when we do get started I'll start taking pictures. I have to get the blueprints set up, then it will take some time to get the glass in. Right now we are just in the planning stage. I still can't make up my mind if we are going to do a 55 or a 75. On the silicone where would be the best place to get it from, is that the type that you get a pet stores? Sorry for all the questions I just want to do this right.

I'd do a 75. The extra depth is worth it, in my opinion. Also, we've built stands and canopies for our 2 - 75g and it wasn't difficult. The worst part was all the sanding. If you google with keywords 'DIY aquarium stand', you'll get a ton of hits. But it's really going to boil down to what you want it to look like. We used cedar slats because I like how it smells. :biggrin: Here's a pic of the 75's. Not a great photo, it's old, but here it is anyway.


And never apologize for questions...that's what HFB is here for!

Oh yeah...and yes, the silicone from Home Depot is the same stuff you'd get at the LFS...you just get more silicone for less money.

[cichlid1409]

are you planning on doing a standard size 75 or 55? making it yourself....do custom dimensions.

[bikinguy]

Here is the site you want http://www.garf.org/index.shtml

Lots of stuff plans on that site...I believe cichlid forum uses that site for measurements.

[marauder_77868]

Buy the tank...make the stand and canopy yourself. Just trying to save you some grief.

[RadarsShadow]

It will be standard sizes, nothing custom. My dad works for a glass company so it's somthing that we thought we could try to do. I am looking at the tanks at the store and if we can't do this then I'll buy one.

[smk]

look on here for tanks you'll probably actually save money and build the stand and canopy i haven't paid more than a dollar a gallon for any of my tanks you just have to be on a constant prowl....lol

[blacksmith37]

You should have said your dad works for a glass supplier; Because you can't buy glass at retail for the cost of an aquarium.

[RadarsShadow]

Yep, I come from a long time of glass workers. Getting glass isn't going to be too much of a problem. We though that this would be a fun father, daughter, grandfather project.