DIY tank tips?

[~Erik3.8.07~]

im planning on building a new tank for my room. its gonna be about 30x16 and i dont know how tall yet. Im building it at my school metal shop so i have near unlimited resources. (except the plexi glass which will come later. before i get started, was wondering if anyone had tips to make this go as smooth as possible. also welds from a mig welder should be ok on the frame right? its not toxic to fish is it?

edit: it may not be finished for a while but i'll post a step-by-step when its done if anyone is interested

[Futureboy]

Just curious, How does welding come into tank building?

frame for what?

[crackatinny]

I am assuming you are welding a reinforcing frame that does not come in contact with the water, is that correct?

[~Erik3.8.07~]

yup, i plan on welding angle iron together to form the top and bottom frame then sliconing plexi glass onto them. the metal fram is just to ensure it stays tight and together

[crackatinny]

You should have no trouble at all with the welds then.

[Rue]

...that's so cool!

One thing though...if you're making it...don't make it an 'odd' size...too hard to find lids and canopies if you need to...

...if I modified anything, I'd make it wider and lower...

[Lady Hobbs]

Good points Rue. Those canopies only come in standard sizes unless you want to pay for a piece of plexiglass.

[~Erik3.8.07~]

ya thx i didnt think of that, i just looked up sizes on elmers to see what matches, i think im gonna change the size to 30x18.

also does anyone happen to know the standard thickness of glass on most tanks?

[genitor]

The glass thickness to use will depend on the depth of the tank.

[TowBoater]

I'm thinking about making one as well, after you get yours done, can you tell me about how much it costed so I know?

[stunner]

Generally speaking, I believe quarter inch thick glass is good up to a height of 12'', up to 18'' would be 3/8'', and up to 24'' would be 1/2'' thick. But the thickness seems to also depend on the length of the tank to a lesser extent. Check out this link: http://www.thekrib.com/TankHardware/glass-thickness.html

[~Erik3.8.07~]

thx for the link stunner, and just a little update, i have the stand done and just completed the bottom of the tank frame. its taken for ever cause i only got 45 minutes a day to work on as i am building it in my school's shop class.

if anyone wants pics of the frame let me know and i'll get some

[~Erik3.8.07~]

I'm thinking about making one as well, after you get yours done, can you tell me about how much it costed so I know?

o and sorry i missed this kuli, i'll be sure to let you know as soon as i can

[crackatinny]

Sure would love to see step by step pics Erik

[~Erik3.8.07~]

Sure would love to see step by step pics Erik

ok, i'll take some snaps tomorrow and post a step-by-step of the stand, and then the tank when its done

[cocoa_pleco]

lol, your classes are only 40min? i used to complain about my 50 min classes in junior high, but in high school i have 4 courses a day and theyre 1 hour and 36 min each.

[~Erik3.8.07~]

lol, your classes are only 40min? i used to complain about my 50 min classes in junior high, but in high school i have 4 courses a day and theyre 1 hour and 36 min each.

your school has block scheduling, my school is probably gonna have that in a few years