building a tank

[mgloop9656]

does anybody know of a site where i can buy frames for tanks. i have given thought to building my own tank. have a local glass company cut some panels and assemble the tank myself. i dont know if it would save me any money or not. its just a thought that i am toying with

[crvz]

You mean just the trim, or a frame/jig for actually building the tank? If it's just the trim, you don't particularly need it.

[OneDummHikk]

Rimless

[mgloop9656]

i was thinking for the trim. i know i wouldnt neccesarilly need it but just thought it would be nice

[harlequin29]

i think glasscages sells them.

[mgloop9656]

glasscages does sell them, but the largest they have is for a 90.

im thinking of building a 190 tall. 60x24x31
i think i would need to use 1/2" glass or do you guys think 3/8" would suffice

[OneDummHikk]

1/2" at a very minimum since its going to be 31" tall. 3/4" or 1" would be a lot safer.

[mgloop9656]

i have another question. depending on the cost of the materials to build this tank i thought about another option. i noticed glasscages offers large terrariums fairly cheap, for example they have a 180w for $300. i would have to check on the thickness of the glass they use for these, but if the glass was thick enough do you foresee any problems dissasembling it using aquarium sealant to put it back together?

[OneDummHikk]

The main problem is going to be glass thickness. The terrarium isn't designed to be filled with water so the glass isn't going to be as thick. Thats why they are cheaper. When you start filling it up with water, you have to make the glass thicker and thats what makes it more expensive.

[mgloop9656]

thats what i thought. but i emailed glasscages anyway to ask what their thickness is...we'll see what they say. they have a bad rap for customer service

[Jadinop]

How stuck are you on the size? I'm guessing you are trying to get the most tank you can out of a 5' space.

Perfecto makes a new deep dimension tank that is somewhat close. It will give you a few more gallons and probably cost less than a completely custom tank.

250 gallon Deep Dimension tank. 60inL x 36inW x 27in depth. Yes it's 36inches front to back! You will need to have a mask and snorkel in case you drop something behind the rocks? Comes with corner overflows and is available with staphire glass if you want.
http://www.marineland.com/sites/Mari...=3600&mid=3228

[mgloop9656]

the only way i could accomodate a 36" deep tank would be if i took away my girls playroom...i could combine their bedroom and playroom...giving me my tank room.....but i dont think that would swing too well with the ol' lady. i currently have a 90 but would like a larger tank simply because i dont want to be restricted in the fish i buy. i love tangs and would like to keep them. im not a fan of spending a lot of money on a fish that i would have to get rid of when it outgrew the system.

[OneDummHikk]

Is 5' all the room you have for width?

[mgloop9656]

not really...i could always rearrange my living room to accomodate up to 8 ft

[Jadinop]

Unless you are trying to fit an exact space or have a unique design requirement in mind, there isn't much reason to go the expense of a custom tank on anything under 300 gallons, IMO. There are many readily available sizes and options from the major suppliers.