Tank making questions

[AAA]

I want to make a hex-tank (6 sided) Around 40 g. I want 1/4 - 3/8
thickness in the material.

1. I know I can just buy one. But I want thicker glass. Does the bottom
piece have to be tempered glass, and why? I understand that tempered
glass can't be drilled.

2. I can have the plastic shop do all my cutting. But I never worked
with the solvent. What is the working time?

3. And how close to the edge of the plastic or glass can I safely drill
a hole without destroying the tank?

Thanks in advance.

[The Outcaste]

On Fri, 25 Jun 2004 13:20:05 -0700, "AAA" > bubbled
forth the following:

>I want to make a hex-tank (6 sided) Around 40 g. I want 1/4 - 3/8
>thickness in the material.
>
>1. I know I can just buy one. But I want thicker glass. Does the bottom
>piece have to be tempered glass, and why? I understand that tempered
>glass can't be drilled.
Using tempered glass allows you to use thinner glass, as the tempered
is stronger. For example, if building a tank that needs 1/4" sides and
a 3/8" bottom, you can use 1/4" tempered for the bottom. I've heard
that you may be able to use 1/4" tempered in place of 1/2", but I
haven't been able to confirm that, or even find the web site that I
saw that info on in the first place.

There are shops that can drill the glass for you then have it
tempered. This link is for one that will ship (though shipping may
make the cost more than a local shop):

http://www.onedayglass.com/drilling.html

cost for 1/4" tempered is $4/sq ft, plus a $6 per order charge,
minimum $15.00
Extra charge for ground and polished edges.
Extra charge for holes and circle cuts (hole size is 1/2" max though)

One downside to tempered is that if it breaks, it shatters into many
pieces, which would result in a rather rapid (ie, instant) draining of
the tank. Regular glass tends to just crack rather than giving way all
at once, allowing time to save the fish and surroundings.
>
>2. I can have the plastic shop do all my cutting. But I never worked
>with the solvent. What is the working time?
If you are going with plastic, it's best to use all plastic. Glass and
plastic have different thermal expansion rates -- not usually a
problem once filled, but temp swings while it is empty can stress the
joints. Also, getting silicone to stick well to plastic takes some
preparation. There are some chemical primers that are supposed to
allow silicone to bond to acrylic but I've never used them. Rough
sanding the edges can help as well.

As far as working time, it's usually only seconds, though there are
different types of cement, from very fast setting to slow setting.
This site gives a very brief description:
http://www.sdplastics.com/weldon.html

Weld-on's web site is http://www.ellsworth.com -- I couldn't find any
"How-to" pages, but they may be able to answer your question.

Or google for "bonding acrylic solvents" and see what you can find.

You may want to see if the plastic shop can bend the acrylic to make
the sides. Shouldn't be too hard to do the sides in two pieces, but
may cost quite a bit more than having them cut 6 pieces. Be sure they
cut the edges to the correct angle, which I believe is 52.5 degrees
(best to double check that)
>
>3. And how close to the edge of the plastic or glass can I safely drill
>a hole without destroying the tank?
>
>Thanks in advance.

For a small hole (< 6 in) in glass, I've seen the recommended minimum
distance from the edge is 4 times the glass thickness. For a group of
holes, 6 times the glass thickness.

I have no idea on recommendations for acrylic.

HTH

Jerry
>

[NetMax]

"AAA" > wrote in message
news:TN%Cc.18261$Lh.9371@okepread01...
> I want to make a hex-tank (6 sided) Around 40 g. I want 1/4 - 3/8
> thickness in the material.
>
> 1. I know I can just buy one. But I want thicker glass. Does the bottom
> piece have to be tempered glass, and why? I understand that tempered
> glass can't be drilled.
>
> 2. I can have the plastic shop do all my cutting. But I never worked
> with the solvent. What is the working time?
>
> 3. And how close to the edge of the plastic or glass can I safely drill
> a hole without destroying the tank?
>
> Thanks in advance.

FYI : Oceanic makes a 40 gallon hex tank. I believe it's guaranteed for
life when used on their stand, and Oceanic is regarded as one of the top
(if not the top) manufacturer of aquariums in North America. Which their
experience, production process and hex tank jigs, I'd presume that it
would be difficult to build a better 40g hex tank yourself, if you need
to ask us for advice ;~).
--
www.NetMax.tk

[AAA]

Thanks, I'll look into this as one of their distributors is only 10
minutes away from my house.

> FYI : Oceanic makes a 40 gallon hex tank. I believe it's guaranteed
for
> life when used on their stand, and Oceanic is regarded as one of the
top
> (if not the top) manufacturer of aquariums in North America. Which
their
> experience, production process and hex tank jigs, I'd presume that it
> would be difficult to build a better 40g hex tank yourself, if you
need
> to ask us for advice ;~).
> --
> www.NetMax.tk
>
>

[Sue]

If you want a challenge why not build a true custom tank? One that you
couldn't go & buy of the shelf.
;o)

"AAA" > wrote ;
> Thanks, for me it's not a money saving thing, I just want to build one.

[Reaper]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=225aefd9ee4a771001361b5a233692e9&threadid=96763 ,
here is a good thread on Reef Central for building an acrylic tank.

Tank builders use tempered glass to reduce glass thickness reducing their
cost.

If I was going to build a hex tank, out of glass, I would have the side
corners mitered at 30 degrees to have the largest amount of surface area in
my glue joint.



Reaper









"AAA" > wrote in message
news:TN%Cc.18261$Lh.9371@okepread01...
> I want to make a hex-tank (6 sided) Around 40 g. I want 1/4 - 3/8
> thickness in the material.
>
> 1. I know I can just buy one. But I want thicker glass. Does the bottom
> piece have to be tempered glass, and why? I understand that tempered
> glass can't be drilled.
>
> 2. I can have the plastic shop do all my cutting. But I never worked
> with the solvent. What is the working time?
>
> 3. And how close to the edge of the plastic or glass can I safely drill
> a hole without destroying the tank?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
>
>

[The Outcaste]

On Fri, 25 Jun 2004 23:02:03 GMT, The Outcaste
> bubbled forth the following:

>You may want to see if the plastic shop can bend the acrylic to make
>the sides. Shouldn't be too hard to do the sides in two pieces, but
>may cost quite a bit more than having them cut 6 pieces. Be sure they
>cut the edges to the correct angle, which I believe is 52.5 degrees
>(best to double check that)

I have no idea where I came up with the 52.5, I just double-checked,
the angle is 60 degrees (assuming a square cut is 90), so the edges
need a 30 degree bevel.

Sorry if I caused any confusion.

Jerry

[B]

www.garf.org has some tank plans.. 500 gallone ? ;-) its not what you
want to build but you may get some ideas there.
http://www.garf.org/news25p2.html#HUGE


"Sue" > wrote in message
...
> If you want a challenge why not build a true custom tank? One that you
> couldn't go & buy of the shelf.
> ;o)
>
> "AAA" > wrote ;
> > Thanks, for me it's not a money saving thing, I just want to build one.
>
>
>