Christian Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Has any one buit a their aquarium to save cost of geting it shipped and the high cost for the aquariums? I looking a buying one for my new home but it has to be a custom size to fit where i need it to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bige Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 It's real easy. I've built a few. All you need is glass or acrylic and some silicone or Weldon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bige Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Don't expect to save too much unless your wanting a large aquarium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 It's not especially difficult to build a tank, but it is difficult to build one that compares to high end custom or commercial quality ones. Difficult to get super clean joints and professional quality silicon work especially when dealing with heavy sheets. If you're going for starfire or other low iron glass it increases the cost a lot without the benefit that an aquarium builder would get on purchasing in bulk. Same thing can be said for beveling glass edges if it's a requirement which typically is for rimless and exposed edges. If it's a large tank it's worth it to use a professional IMO just because of the risk of flooding a house. DSA and DAS are both within a reasonable distance and do very good custom tanks and I think some local stores do them as well. Depending on what you are actually needing you may be able to use an off the shelf tank and frame around it. I know there's several members that went that route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 The tank I want to build is 58"x30"x24 x24" but i could go taller than 24" And it will be going into a wall so i could go about 36" tall any taller and i would not be able to get to any corals that might fall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bige Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 I don't like tall tanks personally. You need more light and longer arms. But a good glass supplier is very important. Like I bought glass from binswanger and the guy cutting glass use to build aquariums. He prepped the glass perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 I got a price from nextreef systems for 2k for the tank and euro bracing with holes drilled in the top of all four corrners,outside overflow. Witch does not seam like a bad deal but im not sure what shiping would be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 That size seems doable. Not going to be easy but definitely within reason. I would stay under 30" in depth at all costs. I had a 110 x-high which is right about 30" in depth and it was virtually impossible to work on the sandbed. I'm pretty average height (5'10" ish) and I had my shoulder and half my head in the water a few times. You'd also need some seriously intense lighting to do any good down low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 Yeah I like the deepth of my sea clear 2 systwm its 24" tall much more and you cant reach the bottom. I want the tank to look like a living picture in my wall. So 24-29" is a good hight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bige Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Where are you located? I haven't priced that much glass lately but binswanger has good prices and any kind of glass you want. I get glass from binswanger on south Lamar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 I live in kyle right now but am moving to buda soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bige Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 I'll help you build it if you want. I live in south austin. Not too far from buda. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bige Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Also acrylic might be an option. It's super easy to work with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 Yeah that sounds good Ill defently need the help building a good one once I move were still doing paper work right now but hopefuly soon we should be all good to move. I curently have 57 aquariums from 55 to 10 gallon sizes but i need a big one to put as my desply system. I want this tank to be amazing. Im going to put into a closet that opens up to our sitting area up stairs. Im thinking about doing a full blown SPS system with MH lighting apex system and a sump thatbis about 75-100 gallons. Since it is on the second floor is run the intire closet/room off of a solar power system that will store electrictiy into batters in the atic. That way im only going to be paying fot up keep and water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bige Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Sounds cool. Let me know if you need some help. Measuring is a little tricky if you've never built a tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 Sounds cool. Let me know if you need some help. Measuring is a little tricky if you've never built a tank.Yeahi will defently let you know thank you. I plan on useing this on the aquarium room for the power suply system. http://m.homedepot.com/p/Grape-Solar-200-Watt-Off-Grid-Solar-Panel-Kit-GS-200-KIT/203505912?cm_mmc=SEM&cm_mmc=SEM&cm_mmc=SEM&cm_mmc=SEM&cm_mmc=SEM&cm_mmc=SEM&cm_mmc=SEM&cm_mmc=SEM&cm_mmc=SEM&cm_mmc=SEM&cm_mmc=SEM&gclid=CJjnqtSgxMACFce_7AoddDAACw&gclsrc=ds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bige Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 What about solar tubes? But the off grid stuff is really cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 What are solar tubes? Yeah my fence,my mom and sisiter and I are geting a house together so i figure i would keep the cost of doing the lighting for the tank to a small amount. Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bige Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Solar tubes let natural sunlight in. Sounds like you have your hands full. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 I dont think they would like me cuting a hole in our new roof. I can get a way with runing a small hole for wires and cocking the whole but cuting a major hole that would not be good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bige Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 You know other options are using PVC sheets instead of glass. I've never done it but I've seen it done. Not sure what what the cost reduction would be if at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 Yeah i know they use pvc for odd shaped tanks because its stronger. But im not sure ill have to look into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bige Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 If it's cheaper then that's a good thing. And you can cut it how you want it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 If it's going in a wall and cost is an issue I would look at a standard 48" long tank, KimP's build is a 150. If the opening is already in the wall you could trim it out with shelves on one side holding a couple of nice shells. I've seen some nice builds that had shelves on both sides or one side to fill in the space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenver Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 I'll be selling my 150 tall pretty soon, don't know when you're planning on doing this, I'm going to sell the tank and stand, so all you would have to get is the equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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