6.6 gal. Home made

[JBReef]

Well, I have a spare 24" T-5 fixture sitting around and really wanted to build a mini tank. I didn't want to have to buy a new light so I decided to do a (24"x8"x8") tank.
Little did I know how expensive it would be to order a 6.6 gal. custom tank. ($105 from a place that makes cages out of glass)

So... I'v decided to build my owne. I'm making it out of 1/4 glass with DAP 100% silicone. I'm going to build a wooden guide to hold everything in place wile glueing (instead of the taping method).

If anyone here has any experience in building a tank or any glass working tips, please feel free to teach me a thing or two.

Thanks "and I'll make sure to take lots of pics".
-Josh

[RyanG]

My best advice is to buy your glass precut and have the edges done. Glass is easy to cut but the smoothing of the edges can be a PITA or fingers how ever you want to look at it.

[JBReef]

I didn't mention it, but yes I did have all my glass precut and the edges were done.
I ordered them around 1:30 this after noon and he called me about 3:30 and my order was ready!!!

Gota love good service!

[RyanG]

Oh yeah another thing is to use masking tape to line you silicone joints. Remove promptly after smoothing your silicone. I personally like the way the black silicone looks but that is just an asthetics call.

[joeman]

Is there anything special you need done to the edges, or just flat / ground? And how do you line them up in the corner? - edge-to-edge?

[JBReef]

Well it's together. pics are loading. Now all I can do is wait. 48 Hours befor water testing..... I don't think I'll make it.

When they say "get the edges done" it means take off the sharp edge. not really bevoling but taking off the tips.

[JBReef]

Well..... here it is. I built it at my rents house cause my old mans got a gurage with everything you need to build anything (lucky!)

The little jig,


Thank god it fits!!..... I mean..... My cuts were exact.


It's great that he cut them right away for me but.....SQUARE WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE!


And we have the box.....


The false wall was clear, but I scratched it, so I sanded it with a digrinder.


It's all coming together.


I painted the back side and portion of the front


And here we have it. A little disapointed at the front right corner but I wont notice it once it's full of corals.


Well thats all for now. If you wana see all the steps, the pictures are in my photo bucket http://s271.photobucket.com/albums/j..._tab_my_albums so feel free to look around.

It hasn't held water yet cause it says to wait 48 hours. I kinda wish I had waited to paint but excitment got the best of me.

So let me know what you think.

-Josh

[JBReef]

Oh... and I can't forget the supporting cast members.....(my wifes gono be pissed I put this on.) This is my mom and my wife (at 39 weeks)


And the guard dog

[Alexander]

im jealous. only because it looks like a really fun project. i love doing stuff like that. ill be interested to see the updates!

[Piggy]

You made it look so easy. Keep us updated.