My oscar is nearly ready to start a fresh in a new tank. I would really like to build my own tank as a lot of the tanks that are already built are not really what I want, and they cost way to much. I'm thinking, as Oshie will live in this one for the rest of his time, 152cm by 64cm by 60cm so under 600 liters. I'm just wondering for this tank, I'm not sure really how big I should have it for a full grown oscar plus some little fish to live comfortably. When I say small fish I mean small, a couple of pleco and catfish. What thickness should the glass be? Thick I should imagine, with my Oshies' boof head! And filtration, how big should I go? I wont be building for another 6 months, but I want to start getting it ready.

That is a bit of a weird measurement. Are you planning on building yourself, or having someone do it for you? The measurements you have given are not much different from my tank, 6 x 2 x 2 which when you take into account the water not coming up 24 inches, that works out to around 130 gallons. I'm sure you could find a second-hand tank that is 6 x 2 x 2, that's not much different from the one you are talking about. Even just the tank isn't going to cost that much. It's when you start buying it with a Cabinet and lid, that's when things get expensive. If you just bought a tank, you could build the base with concrete blocks.

If you do want to build it yourself, I would say 10 mm Glass would be okay. My 300 gallon has got 12 mm glass and a double base. I don't think you would need a double base on yours.

Decide what sort of filtration you are going to use. If you're going to have a canister filters, you need some kind of cutout at the back of the tank for the pipes to enter. If you are using a sump, you need to think about where the holes are going to be located on the tank. A lot of the bigger tanks have struts along them to support the whole tank. This means Using hob a filter could be difficult. So that's something else you need to take into account. The worst thing you can do is have the tank belt and then find out that the filtration you are intent on using won't fit, or is difficult to fit. For instance, my 300 gallon tank was custom-made to be used with a sump filter. I can't actually put canister filter on it without altering the tank and drilling holes in the lid. If I had wanted to use canister filters, I would have had the tank made for just this purpose.

It is a bit of a weird measurement. I guess you're right. It might just be easier to buy. I have one 4ft by 1.5 by 1.5 but I would need to replace the bottom glass as it's cracked. But the glass is only 7mm. I'm thinking maybe I'll set that up then try for another one later. I don't know. I still like the idea of making my own, I will build myself. I'm definantly moving him into a 6ft, but it's going to have to be when I can afford it too!!! Hehe. I could make Oshie go and earn some of his own if he wants a bigger place huh!! Oh dear, I'm a funny one aren't I??? hahaha.

I think "the bigger the better" is a good motto. If you know how to build a tank, I don't suppose it would be as expensive. Just remember your needs some tools to cut the glass.

In the uk I found it is cheaper to buy tanks made for you than it is to buy the glass from a glazier and make it yourself

It is the depth than determines the thickness of the glass. A 2ft deep tank requires 10mm glass. Go to 2 1/2ft deep and it is 12mm glass

Ah. Very good. I'll keep that in mind.