I really wanna try this because I would love to build a 300 gallon tank because I have two children so I wont ever beable to buy one. I'v got two Oscars in a 60 gallon tank and I dont think it will be big enough in the long run, I'm an animal enthusiest so in my eyes if you cannot give them what they need then your a bad parent. So I wanna build a massive tank to hold a few fully grown Oscars

could be a great project mate, id go 4 it if u av the skills!

The site I found tells you how to find out how thick the glass needs to be per gallons of water I'm gunna try it and just put it up in my Bacement for a while to see if it holds that way if it leaks I'v got a floor drain so it wont be a big deal.

I can tell you hun, building and water testing a tank is a HUGE test in patience. I have done it! And in the end it worked...

I am a slow learner so I am going to try it again LOL

I was well aquainted with a guy that worked for a double glazing firm and I mentioned to him about making ur own tank. This was years ago. (showing my age.... AGAIN !!!)
He said it was simple.
1. A set of perfectly square cut glass panels (in other words, square and of the proper thickness to stand the water pressure). If u r doing this urself then this is probably the hardest thing.
2. A few large tubes of glass silicone sealant. The most important thing he said, is when u r putting the panels together. Apply the sealant in one continuous strip from one end to the other. If you stop and then have to reapply you will get a join and possibly a leak.
3. When all the sides of the glass had been joined and applied with sealant, gently very gently push the sealant against the corner so as u will have a triangular seal all the way along where the glass meets ..FROM THE TOP.. down to the bottom corner and along the base to the other end.
4. I think he said. (correct me if I am wrong but it makes sense) all the panel rest on top of the base panel. When the panels are positioned on the base after u have applied the sealant, make sure they are all square and the same height. Get a length of wood and place it on the top of the glass panels and gently tap it until they r all the same height .
I saw a couple of photo's when they were being constructed in that there was little blocks of wood 2-3 inches from the end of the glass panels, this was held together with just masking tape away from the freshly applied sealkant. These held the glass together until the sealant had set.
I might try this myself one day.... Start small and get bigger lololol

Another thing I have read into glass properties since studying back up on fish keeping, is Acryllic glass which is new to me.
I think i read that a tank above a certain size ...MUST ...b made from acryllic.
Does anybody know of this? Cant remember where I read it.
Jamie...

No, you can always use glass. Just keep in mind that glass is WAY heavier!

nhager wrote:



actually the thickness of glass is proportionate to the depth of the tank not the volume of water. if you were to build a 200 gallon tank that was only 12 tall you could use 5/16 inch glass but if you were to build the same volume tank that was 30 inches tall you would need a minimum of 9/16 inch glass.
the thickness is needed for the water pressure exerted at depth not width or lenght

Water pressure isnt a matter of depth on glass...water pressure is greater against the glass because of gravity..water pressure in depths implode, they dont push out...also there isnt much water pressure in 4 feet of water, it is the weight of the water that is the problem.

water pressure(in tank construction) is described as the force(weight) of the water that is excerted(outward) on the glass. this pressure increases proportionatly with the height of the tank not the width or depth.
i have built several tanks that range in size from 20-220 gallons and have studied the properties of water in aquarium construction extensively.

yes i am sure it is a factor seeing that your only using silicone sealant in most home aquariums

Hi saw this and think it is brilliant really want to give it a go.