Help with building glass aquarium

[crowndroyal]

Ok so I am wanting to build a glass aquarium , as there are no nice ones available here and to buy one is well over 1200+ dollars with out the shipping which is another 500-700.



So what I am wanting is something around  125-180   I prefer my tanks long and wide so that gives me the space fora great aquascape potential.  Now I personally would like a 180 6x2x2 but not sure I would be able to move it when the time comes. so I was thinking a 5x2x2. |

    If you have any  ideas for dimensions leave em here. My main thing is if I went with a 6x2x2 what size glass thickness  would I need and what would the actual plate dimensions be for that ? 

I am wanting to make some nice sliding glass lids for this tank as well that slide front to back so I will be euro bracing it. Come to think of it a 125 gallon long and wide would be good too. 

thanks for any help 

[GMtrophs]

I understand your situation with the $$$ and nothing good in your location but keep in mind with the dimension and size of the tank you want it's going to be a pretty heavy tank! I experimented about 2yrs ago and made me a 4ftX2ftX20" tank about 2-3mos later the bottom glass shattered on me coz i didnt get a tempered one which slipped out of my mind..it was a very tedious job coz u want to make sure it's perfect and everything is good...at the end i end up breakin it down coz i need to replace the bottom part but i never built it again...with your size u want to make sure everything is rite its alot of water if not you already what's gonna happen! But if u decide to do it i'm sure you can get ur glass locally or try glasscage.com....but my suggestion if you can shell out a few more $$$ to get a new tank i would just to be on the safe side...G/L!

[Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7]

I agree with GMtrophs... good suggestion. Even buying a used one that is leaking or just a side panel is cracked, break it down and rebuild it as you know that you'll have the correct pane on the bottom and cold even potentially use some starfire glass (low iron for less green look) for the front pane.

[crowndroyal]

ok so if I was going to build a 5'x2'x2' aquarium that is euro braced can anyone help me with the exact dimensions I would need for each pane of glass
( including the euro braces.) I will use a low iron for the front panel though depending on the price I can get it at.

The glass is going to be 12mm or 1/2 inch


Once I know the exact sizes of the pieces I need I can get a price quote from the factory for glass sheets. I have been doing a lot of reading and it seems that tempered or plate glass does not really matter much as long as the proper thickness is used , ( some use a thicker piece for the bottom though )
The bottom pane will also be put on the inside of the 4 sides.

[crowndroyal]

I am basically just looking for help on the euro braces I know I would need to add 1/2 inch on the height and an inch on the two side panels. I am just not sure on the width of the euro braces especially the center one as that one is usually wider I thought.

[mb302rs]

I have built many aquariums over the years . The euro brace on a 5' tank using 1/2" glass should not need to be over 2" wide . It gains a lot of strength when glued 90 degrees to the front and rear panes. In my experience this should work fine and give easier access .

[crowndroyal]

Oct 7, 2016 21:20:32 GMT -5 mb302rs said:

I have built many aquariums over the years . The euro brace on a 5' tank using 1/2" glass should not need to be over 2" wide . It gains a lot of strength when glued 90 degrees to the front and rear panes. In my experience this should work fine and give easier access .

Thanks for the info and help