In message , NetMax
writes
"Cris" wrote in message
ws.com...
snip
The front and side panes
should be attached on top of the bottom pane rather than around the
outside.

why? Both methods are conventional construction techniques in use on
1000s of aquariums.

If he seems to know what he's doing, and has made several of his own
tanks, it's most likely going to be ok. But I wouldn't fill any tank
for the first time in the house.

If filling the tank elsewhere (lawn, driveway, garage) make sure that you
have a very flat strong surface. With 600 lbs of water, the tank will
shift to close any gaps, and may cause damage & leakage which would
otherwise not occur.

and here is the problem I'm currently trying to address! I bought the
tank (it wasn't new or home made and had previously been used for
keeping chiclids, but it was being sold to make room for the tanks he
and stuff he now needs, I hadn't quite understood); the silicone seems
to be in good condition (squidgy), the glass is two thinner sheets
laminated together per side totalling 9mm for the verticals and 11mm for
the base, and I thought yes, I'll test it by filling it with water in
the conservatory - which, I now discover, doesn't have a flat floor.
Looks flat, but isn't. I think what I'll do is get it into the right
place (once I've got a stand for it) and fill it there. I'll need to
cycle it before I put the fish in (although I was wondering about
transferring the filter sponge to the new filter and hoping that worked,
but I really don't think I'll risk it), so that should give me a chance
to see if it springs any leaks. The seller is obviously a fish obsessive
(in a good way) and assured me it was fine.
Now I just need to be reassured that if it does leak, it will do so
slowly and in one place rather than exploding... And also I need to do
research into h.o.t. filters for this size tank... And also I need to
work out if I am in fact certifiably insane to want to keep goldfish
with a sand substrate and some plants (I have some that they don't eat)
and some weather loach... And also I need to work out if I want a
cabinet thing to go underneath or a metal stand... And also I need to be
very patient with my very small son as he demands every day for the next
few weeks if we can put all the fish in the new tank yet.

wish me luck.

thank you again for your advice.
--
sophie