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DIY Tank (Question Regarding building material)

Discussion in 'Aquarium Equipment & Decor' started by Anonymous, Mar 6, 2009.

  1. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    I have this idea for a project, I most likely do it when I have the money and the green light in order to do it.

    I want to build my own tank! All I know right now is that it well be 15x27x29. I was able to find a site and it came out to about 50 gallons.

    My only question is, would a clear plexiglass work?? or would glass be better??
     
    Anonymous, Mar 6, 2009
    #1
  2. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    Re: project idea

    Plexiglass is a bit different to do that with... those are Acrylic tanks... they scratch easy

    Glass I personally would not try.... I may try Acrylic first.... but that is me...

    Acrylics would need a sheet of plywood under them on the stand to support the acrylic bottom
     
    LemonDiscus, Mar 6, 2009
    #2
  3. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Re: project idea

    Plexiglas will work if you get it think enough. Which you use is really your choice.
     
    Anthony, Mar 6, 2009
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  4. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Re: project idea

    I was think of putting it on my TV stand, it a solid piece of wood as far as I know. would that work.

    If I do get the green light I was just wondering what would be a good fish for it. I was thinking angels or tetras.
     
    Anonymous, Mar 6, 2009
    #4
  5. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Re: project idea

    As long as the stand is sturdy and you're 100% positive it will handle the load. A 48 gallon tank plus substrate/rocks/fillter will roughly weigh 400lbs.
     
    Anthony, Mar 6, 2009
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  6. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    Re: project idea

    Both ?!

    It is all your preference... I prefer to have a Cleaner Fish, A Dither Fish, and a Show Fish
     
    LemonDiscus, Mar 6, 2009
    #6
  7. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Re: project idea

    That the only problem I think I'll will have is the 400 lbs of weight, actual a better question is would the floor be able to take it.

    What would be a good way of testing to see if it would hold?
     
    Anonymous, Mar 6, 2009
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  8. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Re: project idea

    what a Dither Fish????
     
    Anonymous, Mar 6, 2009
    #8
  9. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Re: project idea

    That I don't know. Place 400lbs of books on the stand. :) If you're not sure the floor can handle it I'm not sure I'd even attempt it. A hole in the floor will be a big problem.
     
    Anthony, Mar 6, 2009
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  10. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Re: project idea

    I was just joking about the floor, would 50 lbs weights do the trick?
     
    Anonymous, Mar 6, 2009
    #10
  11. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    Re: project idea

    Usually floors can handle up to 55 gallon tanks without a problem... Any bigger you have to play with stress calculations.

    I would say you should be fine... is this on the 2nd or 1st floor... Also when placing the tank look for load bearing columns and try to put it on them.
     
    LemonDiscus, Mar 6, 2009
    #11
  12. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Re: project idea

    I kinda on a 1st level floor, however our house is about 2 feet off the ground I think.

    P.S. I'm still wondering what a what a Dither fish is??
     
    Anonymous, Mar 6, 2009
    #12
  13. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    Re: project idea

    Go under the house where you want to put it and see if there are column supports there.... if not you can throw a 4x4 there to support if you are that worried, however I dont think that the weight would be a problem...

    If you add the 4x4 DO IT BEFORE you add the tank! The floor will bow when you fill it so you would need to do it before filling it directly under it.
     
    LemonDiscus, Mar 6, 2009
    #13
  14. stevenrox

    stevenrox New Member

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    Re: project idea

    get 4 grown men to stand in the same spot :)
     
    stevenrox, Jun 16, 2009
    #14