home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- Path: sparky!uunet!gatech!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!po.CWRU.Edu!dxf6
- From: dxf6@po.CWRU.Edu (Dean Fear)
- Newsgroups: rec.aquaria
- Subject: Re: Building aquariums
- Date: 21 Jan 1993 23:04:01 GMT
- Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
- Lines: 47
- Message-ID: <1jna51INNh80@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu>
- References: <1993Jan21.183801.11062@schbbs.mot.com>
- Reply-To: dxf6@po.CWRU.Edu (Dean Fear)
- NNTP-Posting-Host: slc5.ins.cwru.edu
-
-
- In a previous article, A20076@waccvm.corp.mot.com (Dan Whitaker) says:
-
- >I built a 90 gallon aquarium several years ago. I had no idea what
- >kind or thickness of glass to use so I played it safe and used
- >half inch plate glass with all the edges sanded smooth. It ended
- >up costing me more than I could have bought it for at that time.
- >It was a good experience though. I would like to attempt it again.
- >Has anyone any idea about what is the best kind of glass and what
- >thickness for different dimensions? Are there other suitable
- >materials available? How about Plexiglass?
-
- A couple of years ago, I attended a seminar at the local aquarium. They
- provide us with information about building your own tanks. They suggested
- using marine plywood for the sides back and bottom, and glass for the
- front. (This reduces the cost greatly.) The wood is painted with epoxy
- paint(?) the stuff they use for swimming pools, (making sure it is non
- toxic.) Joints are sealed with silicone.
-
- The basic assembly order was:
-
- Build the wooden box
- Paint it
- Seal it
- lay box on back side
- place bead of silicone one front edges of the box
- place glass on top, clamps are not necessary weight of glass is sufficient
- let cure 24 hours
- tank is ready to use!
-
- They assured me that they have built many tanks this way.
-
- As for the thickness of the glass, I am sure one of the engineers (amateur
- or professional) out there can give us some info on the strength of glass
- and water pressure etc. I would check to see what thickness of glass
- comparable commercially made tanks use.
-
-
-
- I have never tried this, but it sounds like it will work. I suspect that
- this method is more cost effective the larger the tank. It probably
- wouldn't be worth doing for anything <= 55 gallons.
-
- Dean dxf6@po.cwru.edu Feel free to e-mail or post comments!
- >
- >
- >
-