Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok I am looking to build 1-3 tanks in the very near future, but need some ideas.

My inital thoughts were to do 2x2x2, but I am thinking more of 18x16x18.

The tanks will be open front and vented just below the door and at the top of the front and back of the tank to keep the glass fog free. I think I am going to build one, and see how it goes, but does anyone have any ideas on what type of glass to use and were to look to get glass. I've looked around and there are a few glass shops here, but I'm not sure what type I need. I was thinking 1/4 inch, but might be a bit thick.

Any ideas? I might buy some parts here soon. Have to figure out how I want to do the front, but so far I think about 2-3 inches at the bottom then the rest be the open front.

Thanks for any ideas,
Kyle
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

Hi Kyle,

I too will be trying to build some custom tanks this winter. The basic plans of yours sound similar to what I'll be building. I get glass cut at local glass shops. If the tank isn't going to ever be full of water 1/8 inch glass should work out fine from what I've read. I got a price estimate for enough glass to build a front opening terrarium with cover that would measure 10" x 18" x 22" and it came to $44. Getting holes drilled costs around $6 a hole around here. The only front opening tank that I have right now is a 30 gallon extra high. There is 4 inches of glass at the bottom to keep the substrate in but when I started filling it up and planting it last week I realized that 4 inches of space for soil and gravel isn't very much. I think 6 inches would be better. Here are two links that I found useful:

http://www.garf.org/tank/buildtank.asp
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/aquariumdiy/a/aa120897diyaq_3.htm

Keep us updated on how it goes and post some pictures when you're finished. Talk to you later,
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Devin
devin@amphibiancare.com
www.amphibiancare.com
3.2 Dendrobates tinctorius 'Dwarf French Guiana'
1.1 Dendrobates tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
5.1 Mantella aurantiaca
2.1 Mantella crocea
1.0 Ceratophrys cranwelli
1.0 Bufo americanus
0.0.1 Salamandra salamandra
1.0 Ambystoma tigrinum
0.1 Chamaeleo calyptratus
0.1 Phelsuma dubia
1.1 Uroplatus ebenaui
0.0.1 Chrysemys scripta
0.0.1 Chrysemys picta belli
1.0 Terrapene carolina triunguis

$44 seems high, but I have not bought glass before. If it is going to be that much I might not, I can get 15gal highs for $19. They also sell 10gals sometimes for $8.

Is there a type of glass to get?
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

Yeah, it deffinetly is not any cheaper than buying an aquarium. I've looked into front opening tanks from twin oaks. They had 15 gallon highs that opened from the front without a cover for I think $28. If you get glass cut for a cover the total comes to around $42 so getting glass cut and building a tank yourself is comparible to purchasing one assembled. I kind of just want the experience at building tanks to see how its done, even if it means I might have to spend a few more bucks. Talk to you later,
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Devin
devin@amphibiancare.com
www.amphibiancare.com
3.2 Dendrobates tinctorius 'Dwarf French Guiana'
1.1 Dendrobates tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
5.1 Mantella aurantiaca
2.1 Mantella crocea
1.0 Ceratophrys cranwelli
1.0 Bufo americanus
0.0.1 Salamandra salamandra
1.0 Ambystoma tigrinum
0.1 Chamaeleo calyptratus
0.1 Phelsuma dubia
1.1 Uroplatus ebenaui
0.0.1 Chrysemys scripta
0.0.1 Chrysemys picta belli
1.0 Terrapene carolina triunguis

I plan to do it someday, but right now I want to save as much money as possible for frogs. I think I will go with 2 20gal high or 15gal highs in a home made stand. I can get 15gal highs for $19 and 20gal highs for $25 or so. I normally use standards aquarium lids which are about $10-15. So $30-40 each, plus about $40 for the stand, and then the lighting, which I plan to use 2 compacts will be about $100 or so. We will see I have not made up my mind yet. I might build my leucs a new Oceanic cube first. We will see.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

I agree that the overhead on tanks must not be very high. After you buy the glass and silicone (and don't count the hours it takes to put the thing together) you're not that far ahead savings wise. I do find that the bigger the tank you are making, the more you can save vs. buying a tank. When you buy a 50g its glass will be at least 1/4", where you can safely make a 50g for darts with 1/8" thick glass. My main preference for making tanks is controlling the dimensions. I also figure if I put a ton of energy into making a tank, I can slow down the addictive nature of this hobby and the urge for that next frog.

I am also looking into making a glass tank. I made one from acrylic, but that is too much trouble. I like the idea of 1/8" glass but am worried that the thin glass wont offer enough surface area for the silicon adhesive to really get it to stick together. Do you know of anything that could be used to brace the corners? Something like the plastic you see bracing store bought aquariums or even where to get the stuff?
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Matt

You could use the acrylic corner protectors sold at home stores. People use them to protect their wallpaper from being banged into. It usually comes in 8' lengths for a couple of bucks. Another option is angled aluminum sold in home centers as well. You can get it in varying lengths for pretty cheap as well, and you can cut it with a hacksaw or cutting wheel on a Dremel. However, I've seen people build small fish aquariums out of 1/8' glass with no problems (like 2.5 gallon tanks). Silicone is some pretty serious stuff if you have the glass well cleaned before caulking.
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Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense

I will look for that acrylic corner protector...thanks!
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Matt

Kyle,

The type of glass you are looking for is sheet glass. It can be cut and broken with a cutting wheel (glass cutter). Tempered glass is actually stronger, but you can't cut it down to size. To get this stuff cheap, you can look under "salvage yard" in the phone book. Old storm windows and inserts to screen doors were typically made of sheet glass. For $1-$2 each, you can afford to experiment. Cutting glass is really pretty simple. However, buying the stuff from a glass supplier can be pretty expensive.

Another good idea is to make a frame out of 1/2" plywood, paint that with epoxy paint (check e-bay for some good prices on the stuff), then silicone the glass in place. That way you don't have to worry about drilling the glass, only the wood for vent holes (do a google search for plywood aquarium--cichlid breeders use a variation of this to make big aquariums). Using this strategy allows you the ability to quickly build the frame and gives you more flexibility in choosing your hardware for the front opening. Additionally, your bottom 4-6" won't be see-through, so the false bottom is not transparent. Using this strategy, you should be able to make three a nice terrariums for about $50-$100, depending on how much you spend on the epoxy paint. The glass really shouldn't cost you much if you look for it in the right places.

I've done this before, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask more detailed questions. I know there are a few others around here that have done similar things. However, when you get down to sheer dollars, it can be about the same amount of money to buy a used or wholesale aquarium. It's just a matter of how much you want to spend and what you are looking for in the design.
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Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense

I've thought of doing both, but like you said store bought ones are just so cheap. I can build a wood stand and get 3 20gal high for under a $100. Now thats no lights or anything, but still.

I can build a 4 cube stand that will hold 4 tanks and either a 15gal high or 20gal high will fit. So I'm not sure yet. I'll wait and see what wood working tools I get that I asked for for x-mas. The thing I am really missing is a table saw, to cut plywood, but I have some ideas on some other thing also. I would like open fronts, but not sure if it is worth the extra $$$. I still thinking and I will be making the stand first.

Thanks for the info on the glass, as I have never really worked with glass.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

Yeah, I just got a biscuit joiner for my belated graduation present! I use a contractor's table saw (10" blade, no name brand, $90 . . . works great) to cut my plywood sheets (I made a sheet cutting jig like Norm Abram uses on the New Yankee Workshop). However, you could use a regular circular saw with a nice, straight piece of lumber clamped to the plywood as a guide as well. When you're using a plywood frame, you don't have to be as exact, because your glass pieces don't but up against one another.

To cut sheet glass, you just need to buy a glass cutter for about $3-$7 at any hardware store. Really, at a minimum, you could do a good job with just a circular saw, a drill, (maybe) a jig saw, and a contractor's square (or speed square). A router with a flush cutting bit would help make it look nice. As far as "hardware", you'll need some marine epoxy ($9 at Menards for about 16 oz), exterior grade plywood, epoxy paint, clear 100% silicone, and appropriate power screws. Man, now you're making me get the itch again. I have a pile of glass in the barn that is just screaming to be used.

I've seen your stand, so I know that you can do the woodworking that is necessary to do the job. It's really quite easy, depending on the design you go with. You'll just have to decide what the actual cost will be, whether you want to put the work into it, and how much the custom design is worth to you.
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Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense

I have most of the normal tools, but some are getting a bit old. I really could use a new drill and circular saw. I asked for a router for x-mas, and a miter saw. We will see. For my stand that I made I cut everything with the circular saw, and it was far from safe how I did it. It worked, but not very safe at all. I need to buy a long metal straight edge to use to do my next project. I think I am going to make it out o nice pine and not plywood, and use strips spaced for the sides instead of a solid piece of wood, but we will see. I did work for a year making oak furniture in college so I can do most things, just a matter of taking the time and getting all the materials.

Its more of what do I want to build rather than building it. Now that it is cold here I will need to get my basement cleaned up to do anything, and that is a whole seperate project.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

"Now that it is cold here I will need to get my basement cleaned up to do anything, and that is a whole seperate project."

I hear you there. I just wish I had a basement . . . I'm doing woodworking in an unheated barn. That gets a tid bit nippy this time of year . . . and I never want to do woodworking in the summer.

I was just recommending plywood because it's cheap and simple to use, and it's far better to use (no warps) than dimensional lumber . . . and it's lighter. However, if you're going to use furniture grade pine, that's another story. I used 2x6 lumber and plywood for my big tank, and even after using a planer and joiner on it, it still had the slightest twist in it. I took off well over 1/4" getting it usable . . . but it was cheap, and now I've veneered it with oak (I have a ton of rough cut oak that I love to use for woodworking . . . too bad it's not walnut!).
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Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense

Ya walnut is a bit hard to fine and not cheap if you can.

I for my netx project I will build a stand that will hold 2 20gal highs or 15gal highs. For some thumbs.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

I decided to build my first dart tank as I did not like the dimensions available from tanks at the pet store. The dimensions are 30"l) 24"h) 18.5"w) with 1/4" glass. The glass was free, and I used the framing from a broken tank to hold the structure. The frame was from a 30" by 12" which I just cut down the width to extend it out. I’m currently building another tank using 3/8" thick glass for the sides and 1/4" on the bottom. As these tanks are not made to hold large volumes of water, they do not need the same thickness of glass as true aquariums.

VERY nice tank. I plan to build a larger one somday, but not right now. For the frogs I am looking to get right now, they do not need a ton of room. I do also plan on buying a oceanic cube tank at some point, just because I like em.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

Great looking tank. Where did you get your 1/4" and 3/8" glass? Was it tempered or sheet glass? That's nice stuff if you can get your hands on it for cheap, but its probably (definitely) overkill on a frog tank, and it makes it heavy as you-know-what. I can sympathize, because my home made tank uses tempered 3/8" glass (I made the design around the glass). I probably wouldn't use 3/8" glass again if I had a choice . . . but it's sure not going to break unless I drop it or back a truck into it!
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Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense

The 1/4" was free scrap sheel glass and was defiantly overkill, but I couldn’t argue with the price. I messed up on the thickness of the glass I’m using right now, it should read 1/8" thick (the bottom sheet is actually 7/16" thick but who's counting?). I’m pleased with this thickness, it seems sturdy without the weight.

That's definitely a nice find for free. Did that 1/4" glass come from bank doors or old picture windows, or what? I'd love to know, 'cuz I'd definitely look for something similar around here. I'm working on plans for making a heavily insulated "mini room" in my garage for frogs that will be self heated, air conditioned, and humidified. Any good ideas on where to get materials cheap (like some 1/4" glass) would be great.
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Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense

The glass was originally used as sliding doors for upright utility shelves.

Thanks. Where did you find them for such a good deal . . . was a factory going out of business, or a business remodeling?
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Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense

I'm not sure if this helps any, as it may not be at all what you are looking for. But, are you familiar with Corian? It is a soild surface material used for making counter tops and the like. If you buy it is extremely expensive, but most shops that work with it have a huge pile of scraps and sink cut-outs that they will generaly give away (that is how I came across my supply). The stuff is about a half inch thick and you can cut and shape it with regular wood working tools. There are a ton of colors availibe, many that look like polished granite. I have used it to build several encolsures the size you are talking about and have been quite happy with the finished look.

I've seen the stuff before, and that is a good idea. You have any pics?
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

I have a few, I think, but I have absolutley no idea how to post them.

GREAT idea. I have never even thought of that. Now I'm on a mission.
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Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense

Homer, King of the Salvage Yard, sets out on his quest to build the ultimate amphibian abode .... stayed tuned.

LOL! I love it. I know I have to sound like the cheapest guy on the face of the planet, but this hobby gets expensive really quickly.

If you're looking for the ideal place to get simple building supplies, an architectural salvage yard is tough to beat. After all, is glass going to go bad if it gets wet or dirty? No. Just spray 'er down with some windex, wipe that off with some vinegar, and you're good to go.
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Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense