Hi all,

Yesterday me and my sis finished building our third tank.
Oh, yes. By our own. Glued well, waited for five days and finished sticking the background.

It's 2.5Ft * 2.5Ft * 4.5Ft. We used this height because discus usually love to be in taller tanks.

Here's a pic. Actually we are currently testing it for any leaks. so only filled a half of the tank. It would take few days to finish all. Currently it's on the floor.



We used 10mm thick glass sheets for it.
So what do you guys think about it?

(sorry for the poor image quality. My sis took it by her phone)

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I have 3 Main discus aquariums and 4 breeding tanks. Also got two emergency tanks and Emergency backup systems for all of them.

Thats great! I cant wait to see it up and running!

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http://2white2nerdy.com

just out of curiosity, if i can ask, what did it cost you to build the tank?
Do yo follow and specifc plans or do you have your own?
Do you just use silicone to attached the panels? i have heard something about using an aquarium safe expoxy resin.

It cost me around 85$.
Yes. We did build few tanks before this one and knew exactly what to do.
We used a silicon glue specially designed for aquariums. You can buy it from your local hardware store.

The secret of building these types of tanks is
1) You have to choose the correct thickness of the glass.
2) Put all the side glasses on the bottom glass.
3) Before you glue them clean the edges well (I used tissues) and heat them a bit(you can use a blow torch or even a hair dryer)
4) When you glue them remember to glue the edge well. (This is the most important part)
5) Let the glue dry at least for four days.(This depends on the thickness of the glued layer. For small tanks one day would be enough)

Note- Don't sand your glass edges before you glue them! Sanding the edges is the final thing you should do(After building the tank). If you did sand them before you glue them there's a high chance of loosing the strength of silicone bond.

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I have 3 Main discus aquariums and 4 breeding tanks. Also got two emergency tanks and Emergency backup systems for all of them.

Why do you heat the edges of the glass?

To make the surface water and and other liquid (even sweat) free.
Glass usually has a thin layer of water due to the humidity.

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I have 3 Main discus aquariums and 4 breeding tanks. Also got two emergency tanks and Emergency backup systems for all of them.

Interesting, thanks. Do you use duct tape to hold the glass in place?

Yes. Paper ducktape. Other ducktapes could leave glue marks after you remove them.

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I have 3 Main discus aquariums and 4 breeding tanks. Also got two emergency tanks and Emergency backup systems for all of them.

Is that the stuff that looks like brown paper?

yes. Also there's white ones too.

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I have 3 Main discus aquariums and 4 breeding tanks. Also got two emergency tanks and Emergency backup systems for all of them.

ive been wanting to build my own for some time now. but picked up a 55g off of craigslist for cheap. how much will your's hold?

Nice, cant wait to see it with the discus in it.

Great job,mate!

255 Gallons

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I have 3 Main discus aquariums and 4 breeding tanks. Also got two emergency tanks and Emergency backup systems for all of them.

I'm tempted to try to build a smaller one as a test for a quarantine tank, what type of glass do you get?
Tempered from a glass company? How do you determine thickness required? What are your thoughts on "Starfire" or low iron "ultra clear" type glass?

you mention not sanding the edges till after its glued...did you mean along the top exposed edge? Obviously you can then sand an edge that has been glued
Can you get the black silicone?

Interesting link that discusses glass types for a tank here: Aquarium Fish Tank Build Aquariums

I didn't read it all again but I think it mentions that tempered glass is stronger but shatters into small bits when it breaks rather than just cracking, that would worry me a bit .

Awesome job!

Yep you can get black silicon, i have 2 tanks that have been put together with black rather than the clear

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1x350L Goldfish, 1x 286L Planted, 1x190L Cherry shrimp, 1x140L Feeders, 1x130L Planted, 1x119L Peppermint BN breeding colony

Can't wait to see it all set up with the Discus and everything!

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10g Planted Community
20g Tall Planted. (Cycling)
***55g and 4x 10g back in my hometown until my enlistment is over***

wait a second,

you said its a 52"x30"x30" I might say its a 155g but not a 255g.
My 210g is 72"x30"x30"...........
It looks great but I dont think your calculations on total volume is correct. No Offense or anything im just trying to clear it up in my own head lol.

I would have put it between the two.

Ok, just used a calculator (Aquarium Volume Calculator (W.C.S. Ltd.)),

I get 210.4 gallons outside measurements, 203.5 if you take off for the glass.