Plexiglass Tank?
#1 Guest_Zephead4747_*
Posted 09 September 2007 - 01:24 PM
If I made it myself it would probably be like 40+gallons and shallower/longer/wider then most tanks that size. If I were to buy it it would probably be a 30 long or breeder, or even a 20 long...
I want to keep a large population of rainbow/greenside darters, and some kilifish. and possibly 2-3 dwarf crays.
OR
There were these "assorted chichlids" that grow to ~4 inches long and where freshwater and need a temprature of 72-82 degrees, I think they purple, and other colors would really make the tank light up with the darters.
any opinions?
edit: think of a shoebox as the wooden part with the glass attached to the insides, this would be done to the top part too but without the big sheet covering it.
#2 Guest_fuzzyletters_*
Posted 09 September 2007 - 02:25 PM
#3 Guest_Zephead4747_*
Posted 09 September 2007 - 02:42 PM
#4 Guest_Irate Mormon_*
Posted 09 September 2007 - 05:46 PM
#5 Guest_Zephead4747_*
Posted 09 September 2007 - 07:50 PM
It is not cost effective UNLESS you can scavenge the materials.
My dad makes sports plaques as a hobby/buisness on top of his normal job. needless to say we go through a lot of the stuff.
#6 Guest_bullhead_*
Posted 10 September 2007 - 10:57 AM
#7 Guest_devoneli_*
Posted 10 September 2007 - 11:17 AM
basically it would be a ractangle shapeed box with an open top and plywood attached to the bottom and bottoms of the sides for bracing. what kind of glue could I use to keep it together/watertight. I'm thinking this might be a good way to afford a tank if/when I can find some darters. Please post some ideas...or if you think I would be better off just buying another aquarium.
If I made it myself it would probably be like 40+gallons and shallower/longer/wider then most tanks that size. If I were to buy it it would probably be a 30 long or breeder, or even a 20 long...
I want to keep a large population of rainbow/greenside darters, and some kilifish. and possibly 2-3 dwarf crays.
OR
There were these "assorted chichlids" that grow to ~4 inches long and where freshwater and need a temprature of 72-82 degrees, I think they purple, and other colors would really make the tank light up with the darters.
any opinions?
edit: think of a shoebox as the wooden part with the glass attached to the insides, this would be done to the top part too but without the big sheet covering it.
#8 Guest_airbrn1187_*
Posted 12 September 2007 - 04:46 PM
http://www.cichlid-f...ic_aquarium.php
http://duboisi.com/d...k/bndiytank.htm
the other one which is by far the least expensive is making a wood tank
http://www.cichlid-f...d_aquarium2.php
#9 Guest_nativecajun_*
Posted 17 September 2007 - 09:20 AM
#10 Guest_Mysteryman_*
Posted 30 September 2007 - 10:39 AM
Alas, I made it like I would have made one from regular glass. Big mistake.
Plexiglass bows under pressure, and this bowing rips the seams apart in just a few weeks.
If you want to make a plexiglass tank, then cyanoacrylate glue, krazy glue that is, works just fine. Don't try it with regular aquarium silicone sealer. ALSO, it helps to not make the joints like you would with a glass tank. Instead, after making the standard joint, add a slim strip of plexi to the inner side of the joints, and glue them into these corners on both sides. This makes for a super strong connection that won't come apart one the bowing starts.
I hope that made sense. Fill the inner side of the "L" that you get when two sides are joined at the 90 degree angle with a small square strip running the length of the joint. There are professional ways of joining two acrylic panes which make the seams disappear altogether, but these involve a lot of heat applied uniformly, which is kinda tricky and not worth the bother for a small tank.
#11 Guest_Zephead4747_*
Posted 30 September 2007 - 06:13 PM
#12 Guest_bullhead_*
Posted 30 September 2007 - 06:55 PM
CA glue can be found in quantity in hobby stores. Hobby Lobby always has reasonable prices, if there is one local to you. "Quantity" meaning 1/2 and 1 oz bottles. Be safe and buy a tube of CA debonder, and keep it within reach, lest you glue your fingers to something heavy.
That said, there is a special solvent/glue for acrylic, which I think would be stronger for this application. (Although it is hard to argue with the good success that mysteryman seems to have had with CA.) Amongst rocketry people (where strength of materials is almost a religion), CA does not have a great reputation for strength, especially as it ages.
#13 Guest_Mysteryman_*
Posted 02 October 2007 - 01:36 PM
#14 Guest_bflowers_*
Posted 03 October 2007 - 12:02 AM
Oh, my success wasn't all that great. If you can find a better glue, then by all means use it! "Overkill" is always a good keyword for building tanks.
One of the best glue for acrylic is Weld-on #3 or #4. Technically it is a solvent not a glue. It actually melts the acrylic together.
I bought mine online and a pint will go a long, long way.
Here is where I ordered mine.
http://www.rplastics.com/weldon4.html
Bill F.
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