Built your own?

M1ster Stanl3y · 12-11-2010, 04:25 PM

Im just curious if anyone has ever built their own aquarium? I am new to this site and I've had my 10g that I got off clearance for $3 for almost a year now and there isn't much i can do with it since the filters are built into the top and I cant really customize. Now I've been doing some research and found some pretty decent walk through's on how to build you own tank. I'm thinking of just building something small. Less then 1g to see if i can do it and not kill any fish. Thinking minnows from the local creek will be my test subjects. I was wondering if there are any tips out there. I'm looking to use plexi, reinforced on the outside with cut down firring strips. This way i can also cut a relief in the top so i can make a lid that sits flush. Any things i should know about before starting?

ok so its looking to be a 7" square build, out of 1/4 acrylic.

NursePlaty · 12-11-2010, 05:51 PM

sounds like a lot of labor. Petco has $1 dollar per gallon deals quite often. you could get a 10g tank for 10 bucks or 20g for 20 bucks easily. building your own poses a higher risk for leakage.

M1ster Stanl3y · 12-12-2010, 07:38 PM

im thinking tho if i ever want one in a unique space...corner or something that instead of paying someone else to do it i can just make it myself. i have 3/4 of the tools and can do my own woodworking. i see you did your own hood, ever do your own aquarium?

NursePlaty · 12-12-2010, 10:00 PM

Ive built one before 4-5 years ago. There was too much labor put into it and I dont believe its worth it. Premade at stores might even be cheaper. While applying silicone, you have to make sure the silicon is really in there and get every single gap and corner. Any empty places will pose a risk for a leak. I guess the bigger the tank the more riskier. If its a 10g or bigger I suggest you just buy. They also sell 5g tanks and 2.5g tanks at Petco if you are looking for them that small and premade.

12-11-2010, 04:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
M1ster Stanl3y M1ster Stanl3y's Photo Gallery Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 515 Name: Adam Stanley Location: Waco, Tx My location Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 63 Times Said "Thanks" 33 Times Was Thanked 60 Times in 51 Posts	Built your own? Im just curious if anyone has ever built their own aquarium? I am new to this site and I've had my 10g that I got off clearance for $3 for almost a year now and there isn't much i can do with it since the filters are built into the top and I cant really customize. Now I've been doing some research and found some pretty decent walk through's on how to build you own tank. I'm thinking of just building something small. Less then 1g to see if i can do it and not kill any fish. Thinking minnows from the local creek will be my test subjects. I was wondering if there are any tips out there. I'm looking to use plexi, reinforced on the outside with cut down firring strips. This way i can also cut a relief in the top so i can make a lid that sits flush. Any things i should know about before starting? ok so its looking to be a 7" square build, out of 1/4 acrylic. Last edited by M1ster Stanl3y : 12-11-2010 at 04:28 PM. Reason: updated specs.

12-11-2010, 05:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
NursePlaty Queen Platy NursePlaty's Photo Gallery Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 932 Name: Annie Pham Location: Dallas Ft Worth, Texas Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 266 Times Said "Thanks" 41 Times Was Thanked 186 Times in 180 Posts	Re: Built your own? sounds like a lot of labor. Petco has $1 dollar per gallon deals quite often. you could get a 10g tank for 10 bucks or 20g for 20 bucks easily. building your own poses a higher risk for leakage. __________________ 55gallon Light - 6500K CFL, 23wattsx5 5hr/day Substrate - Red Mexican Clay, Sphagnum Peat moss, Eco-Complete Misc- Pressurized CO2, EI Dose KNO3, KH2PO4, CSM-B Plants -Limnophila Aromatica, Stargrass, Dwarf Hair Grass, Christmas Moss, Baby Tears (HM), Dwarf Baby Tears(HC), Rotala Rotundifolia, Ludwigia Glandulosa, Riccia Fluitans

12-12-2010, 07:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
M1ster Stanl3y M1ster Stanl3y's Photo Gallery Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 515 Name: Adam Stanley Location: Waco, Tx My location Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 63 Times Said "Thanks" 33 Times Was Thanked 60 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Built your own? im thinking tho if i ever want one in a unique space...corner or something that instead of paying someone else to do it i can just make it myself. i have 3/4 of the tools and can do my own woodworking. i see you did your own hood, ever do your own aquarium?

12-12-2010, 10:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
NursePlaty Queen Platy NursePlaty's Photo Gallery Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 932 Name: Annie Pham Location: Dallas Ft Worth, Texas Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 266 Times Said "Thanks" 41 Times Was Thanked 186 Times in 180 Posts	Re: Built your own? Ive built one before 4-5 years ago. There was too much labor put into it and I dont believe its worth it. Premade at stores might even be cheaper. While applying silicone, you have to make sure the silicon is really in there and get every single gap and corner. Any empty places will pose a risk for a leak. I guess the bigger the tank the more riskier. If its a 10g or bigger I suggest you just buy. They also sell 5g tanks and 2.5g tanks at Petco if you are looking for them that small and premade. __________________ 55gallon Light - 6500K CFL, 23wattsx5 5hr/day Substrate - Red Mexican Clay, Sphagnum Peat moss, Eco-Complete Misc- Pressurized CO2, EI Dose KNO3, KH2PO4, CSM-B Plants -Limnophila Aromatica, Stargrass, Dwarf Hair Grass, Christmas Moss, Baby Tears (HM), Dwarf Baby Tears(HC), Rotala Rotundifolia, Ludwigia Glandulosa, Riccia Fluitans

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