CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

Is it possible to build an aquarium myself? And if so, is there any information out there that would be of help? I presently have a 55 and would like to go 95 to 100. I don't want to pay the high prices and thought that it would be cheaper to build one myself.

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Thanks,
Donni

Check under cichlids forum from the drop down window on bottom, and click on Frontosa for all the info on building tanks. I built my current tank as well.

Thanks, how much did you pay for your glass and did you use tempered or regular? I would also like to know the thickness you used? Was it very difficult, not that it matters, I'm very handy for a girl.

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Thanks,
Donni

[This message has been edited by donnimcmasters (edited 01-10-2001).]

I used tempered glass. Call your local glass shop or similar and ask for pricing. I used 1/4" for my 60 gallon. You need a tube of silicone made by aquarium pharmasuiticals roughly $11 a tube. I have maybe a quater of a tube left over from my 60 gallon. Also remember glass wieghs a lot more then acrylic. Although acrylic will be more expensive. You can make a jig to hold your glass pieces together. Silicone the pieces that will touch other pieces as well as a corner bead on the insides. I was able to get my glass through contractors, also I had a wholesale account. So to be honest, building the tank will be more for enjoyment and to say "hey I built that." rather then actually saving a lot of money. Good luck with this.

-S42K

Thanks for all the info. I'm pretty sure that the tank would not cost the $1300+ they want for the stand and tank. I know for sure I can build the stand. It was just the tank that I had questions about. I will probably do it when my Oscars are full grown. Right now they are about 4". I have all the tools to do it but the tempered glass is the "biggy". I bought a piece to fit the top of my 55 and it cost $17 for it and it wasn't all that big!

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Thanks,
Donni

Oh well ya its way cheaper to build your own stand, hood etc. But if you compare just the tank to one you build I don't think you will find a huge price difference. Glass is not cheap as you can see by $17 just for that one piece. Good luck though.

-S42K

Well, if anybody finds some good online place for ordering acrylic at good prices or place that sells tanks for cheap please do let us all know, thanks

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Joe
www.cichlidfish.com

Have you done any research yet on any locations on the net? I'm not sure I would like the acrylic because I have 2 small children and they would probably scratch it to bad. Not a good idea. I still can't get over how much tempered glass costs. I can only imagine how much acrylic would be!

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Thanks,
Donni

Well the thing with acrylic is it can be buffed out fairly easily. Not quite as easily as scratching but still. As to buying glass or acrylic online, good idea for locations. As to actually buying it online though the cost of s/h would be outrageous for such.

Yea, I guess you're right S4, since package would have to be big, especially if you want a big 500gallon tank or better, so shipping could definitely get expensive....

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Joe
www.cichlidfish.com