Glass Aquarium Build

[Marvin]

I am in the process of building a 56 gallon aquarium (36x18x20) as I like pittling and doing things myself to learn and pass the time with.

Like most subjects, I learn the basic and go from there. There is one issue I cannot determine, from anything thing I’ve located on the internet (documentation and/or videos).

When siliconing the front, back and sides (FBS), do they sit on the bottom or go around the bottom?

Here are two of the more common links you see or that are suggested:

FBS on top of bottom:

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/diytanksrefugiums/ss/diyaquarium.htm

FBS on top of around bottom:

http://www.garf.org/tank/BuildTank.asp

I have seen one more article stating the FBS should go around the bottom but everything else shows the FBS on top of the bottom.

I’ve also looked at tanks that are store bought (Aqueon, Top Fin, etc.) and their FBS are around the bottom.

Any suggestions from experienced builders?

Thanks in advance.
Marvin

[lilmissruffcountry]

On the bottom with any tank over 15 gallons that we have done. I got a 162 that hubby built, and all its sides sit on top of bottom.

[Marvin]

On the bottom with any tank over 15 gallons that we have done. I got a 162 that hubby built, and all its sides sit on top of bottom.

This helps as I have the glass cut this way. If your large tank has held up, that's good enough for this small tank.

Thank you so much young lady!!!

[lilmissruffcountry]

This helps as I have the glass cut this way. If your large tank has held up, that's good enough for this small tank.

Thank you so much young lady!!!

yes the 162 is and has been holding water for about 5 months now or better.....I have had fish in it up until yesterday, which the fish that were in it, moved to my new pond. Now I have room for "something" I just don't know who...lol. Glad to be of help!

[Marvin]

yes the 162 is and has been holding water for about 5 months now or better.....I have had fish in it up until yesterday, which the fish that were in it, moved to my new pond. Now I have room for "something" I just don't know who...lol. Glad to be of help!

What did y'all use for top and bottom frames?
Do you have pics?

[Woody]

Saw your post about frames.....these guys sell parts for DIY folks. They offer some standard frame sizes as well as hinges for top glass. Hope this helps.

http://www.glasscages.com

[Marvin]

Saw your post about frames.....these guys sell parts for DIY folks. They offer some standard frame sizes as well as hinges for top glass. Hope this helps.

http://www.glasscages.com

Yes it does Woody!!!
I'll order from them, thanks a mill for the link!!!

Here are some pics I did while putting the tank together. I learned a lot and have pulled it back a part to do a better job, look wise, on the silicone.

This will make a nice discus and angle tank when I'm done.

It will be the same size as the sw tank that Donnie got for me last weekend, I'm going to do clowns and seahorses in this tank. I may leave off the top frame, like the new tank, not sure, but will buy frames for top and bottom in case I change my mind later.

Again, thanks for the link.

[Woody]

Looks nice!! I was thinking about self building one (I do business with Glass On Glass on Hempstead Hwy with & they are reasonable on $$$, they do all their own miter & polishing work as well) but got too good a deal on an existing tank. I built a 50gal years ago & used 1" aluminum angle to frame it with.

[freespool]

wow that looks good. If my wife was not already complaining about my tanks and projects now I would love to build a custom for an arched opening from our living room to the hallway. Keep up the work and the pics as you progress through the whole project.

[Marvin]

Looks nice!! I was thinking about self building one (I do business with Glass On Glass on Hempstead Hwy with & they are reasonable on $$$, they do all their own miter & polishing work as well) but got too good a deal on an existing tank. I built a 50gal years ago & used 1" aluminum angle to frame it with.

I was thinking about aluminum angle but since you turned me onto these guys, that's way I'm going to go. Again, thanks!

[Marvin]

wow that looks good. If my wife was not already complaining about my tanks and projects now I would love to build a custom for an arched opening from our living room to the hallway. Keep up the work and the pics as you progress through the whole project.

Thanks freespool for the encouragement!!!

I haven’t had time in the last week or so to get back on the project but when I do, I’ll be sure to post pics.

Take care.