do you know anything about fish or tanks PART 2

[Chloraseptic]

i posted a couple days ago about making a wooden tank, and what materials i would need to seal and caulk it. i've changed the plan somewhat and have decided to line the inside with plexiglas. my questions are...

will clear "dap" marine silicon still work as a caulk to hold the joints together and water tight?

does salt water eat away at this type of caulk?

and any suggestions on some fishies?

tnx for your replies

-chlor

 

[rgwalt]

Call up a local glass store and tell them your plans. They will tell you the best kind of silicone to use. When I built the cage for my skink, I used a special aquarium silicone that took 2 weeks to dry and cure fully. Using the stuff from the hardware store may post a hazard to your fish.

Why are you going with plexi? Glass is cheaper and stronger. Find a local glass cutter and he/she will be able to cut all pieces to size. The glass cutter I went through told me about an aquarium he built that didn't even need a frame. If you do go with plexi, make sure you get thick enough stock to support the weight of the water in your tank.

Ryan

 

[her209]

What size tank are you planning to build? If you are looking for something that is over 150 gallons then the cost of parts + labor doesn't really outweigh the expense of buying one ready made from the fish store, especially with plexiglass.

 

[UltraQuiet]

I would reconsider plexi if I were you. the professionally made plexi-glass tanks look great because they are seamless etc. but they are extremely easy to scratch. My saltwater critters managed to scratch my glass tank so I can imagine what they would do to plexi. Also I'm fairly certain that there is a chemical bonding process used to join pieces of plexi and the caulk won't do it. In any case use an aquarium type caulk/silicone that way you know it is safe for the critters.

 

[Beau]

Definitely would not be going with a acrylic glass for something so small. As Dave already pointed out, it is too easily scratched. If I were you, I'd go with tempered glass and use a marine-grade silicone caulking and an aluminum frame.

 

[tdog44632]

You need to use Weldon to glue the plexiglass pieces together, this actually melts them together. The hard part is the front piece, if you want it glass. It is hard to get glass to bond to acrylic. The expense of a thick piece of acrylic for the front is prohibitive! information and supplies available at ecomplastics.com and usplastic.com. Also plans for 140 gallon wooden tank available at garf.org. Good Luck!

Tony

 

[Chloraseptic]

let me post a picture of what i'm dealing with exactly.

link
it's an old coffee dispenser from a grocery store. i planned to line the inside of it with plexiglass but i've had a lot of people shy me away from plexiglass and towards regular glass. each compartment, will hold about 4.25 gallons when filled to what it will be at.

so, should i line it with plexiglass or glass?

thank yas

 

[tdog44632]

I would think it would be easier to line with plexiglass. One problem I see is that fish depend on surface area for oxygen to dissolve in water. Your compartments have very little. Also how will you filter water and how will you keep it warm? It will be difficult to keep fish in there! The easiest way to cut the acrylic is with a specific blade on a table saw, clean cuts are important to keep leak free. If you want to keep fish I would suggest getting a regular tank, if you like the dispenser for a decoration, think of some other use.

Tony