Making my own Tank??? need help

[Ryan d]

Hi, I was intersted in making my own tanks... but i have some
questions...

1. What kind of silicon do I use?
2. Where can I get the plastic top and bottom rims that hold the tank
together?
3. Any suggestions on how to silicon and how to put the tank
together?

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!! thanks!

[Jim Morcombe]

I use "Selleys Glass". Selleys make about a dozen different Silicon
Sealants but this is the only one they recommend for aquariums.

If you can't find Selleys Glass, then just check the label carefully and
make sure there are no fungicides in it - although I saw someone claim to
have used a Silicon Sealant with a fungicide and he said it was okay.

Before you apply the sealant to the glass, you are meant to clean the glass
with accetone. However, I usually just use Metholated Spirits.

The Sealant will hold the tank together - you don't need any plastic rims or
anything else.

If you are building a large tank, then you can keep the price down by using
Plywood and pain it with Epoxy paint. There are some do-it-yourself plans
on the web for these tanks. However, I think the designs have walls that
are made too thick just so that there is a larger surface area on the cornor
joints. I use thinner plywood for the walls, but re-inforce all the joints
with 45mm square softwood.

Make your tank slowly and let everything cure properly before carrying on to
the next step.

Test the tank for a few days for leaks before you start using it.

Jim



Ryan d > wrote in message
...
> Hi, I was intersted in making my own tanks... but i have some
> questions...
>
> 1. What kind of silicon do I use?
> 2. Where can I get the plastic top and bottom rims that hold the tank
> together?
> 3. Any suggestions on how to silicon and how to put the tank
> together?
>
> Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!! thanks!
>
>