PDA

View Full Version : Acrylic Tanks by Desert Diamond Discus


OEG
10-14-2003, 09:52 PM
Here are some pics we took while building these acrylic tanks start to finish. Here is a pic of all the we used to make them from the adhesive to the sheets of plastic themslelves, the sandpaper is 100 grit to smooth all ends up so that when they get glued together the seem is alot smoother and better.
OEG
10-14-2003, 09:56 PM
Sorry here it is rotated.
OEG
10-14-2003, 09:59 PM
Supplies
OEG
10-14-2003, 10:01 PM
These pieces are used for the top, one on each side and one right in the middle so that the tank doesnt bow, i know someone out there is saying it wont bow dumb AXX but i feel better this way.
OEG
10-14-2003, 10:03 PM
next do a dry fit with tape to make sure all fits well and goes where its supposed to.
OEG
10-14-2003, 10:07 PM
I use these straps to hold the tank in place while im glueing it together, i dont leave the tape on becouse if glue gets on it a mark will be left behind and it looks pretty bad that way. These straps are on loosely and are not tightened till all the sides and bottom have been glued, this allows the glue to work into the joints better and a much better seal is achieved which not only makes it stronger but also prettier.
OEG
10-14-2003, 10:10 PM
Here are a couple of pics showing the welds or glued sides and how they look before glue and after, there should be very little gaps or bubles in the weld.
OEG
10-14-2003, 10:11 PM
after weld, notice how clear and uniform it looks compared to the opaque look of the unglued side.
OEG
10-14-2003, 10:13 PM
heres a better pic, that dip stick brother of mine took the other one
OEG
10-14-2003, 10:15 PM
Here is the final product that will be filled tomorrow and a bunch of RSG and Golden Marl will move in.
OEG
10-14-2003, 10:16 PM
Sorry so short and to the point but thats just the kind of guy i am, if anyone has any questions i will be happy to answer.
;D
brewmaster15
10-14-2003, 10:32 PM
Hi DDD,
Looks great! Thanks for the post!. How much would you say this cost to make?
And where did you get the acrylic?

Thanks,
-al
heavyp83
10-14-2003, 10:43 PM
man, you never cease to amaze me, i'm really looking forward to that visit!
OEG
10-14-2003, 10:48 PM
Brew the acrilic was about $100.00 and I would say it cost a total of $120.00 give or take a dollar.

I got the acrylic from a friend who has his own acrylics shop.
he hooked me up like nobodys beez waxxx.
Oscar :)
brewmaster15
10-14-2003, 11:12 PM
Thanks Oscar!
-al
OEG
10-14-2003, 11:36 PM
no prob Brew, just one last thing i think i forgot to mention the thickness of the plexy its 3/8 inch thick.
Oscar
ronrca
10-15-2003, 11:25 AM
Sweet! Im tempted to build a acrylic tank sometime. How big is the tank btw?

Thanks for the pics! ;) I cant wait to see the discus in it! ;D
bernie82
10-15-2003, 12:52 PM
I just made a purchase of some Truvu acrylic tanks. I have two sizes and they're brand new.
60 gallon - length 4 ft. width 16 inches height 18 inches.
75 gallon - length 5 ft. width 18 inches height 18 inches.
I can sell them for $159 for the 60 gallon and $199 for the 75 gallon.
GulfCoastDiscus
10-15-2003, 03:07 PM
Hi Oscar,
Nice tanks. I was wondering what did you use to cut the acrylic. Thanks

Dan
OEG
10-15-2003, 03:33 PM
Hi guy the cuts were made by a table saw pcs were cut by the same guy who sold it the pices to me. and yes it is 36 longX24 wide and 20 tall.its about 74 gal. Im sorry Bernie but i dont think those meassurements would help my fish grow to there potential.Id rather have a tank that is wide than a long and thin one i think they,meaning the fish feel better all around in it. Ill post pics with fish in it later today.
Oscar
OEG
10-15-2003, 04:22 PM
Heres the tank with its new occupants.
ping
10-15-2003, 04:24 PM
Excellent work Oscar. :thumbsup:
And nice looking discus too. :)

Thanks for posting the pictures.

Regards,
Ronny
OEG
10-15-2003, 04:28 PM
Ronny no prblem and thanks for the kind words.
Oscar
OEG
10-15-2003, 04:35 PM
Last
GulfCoastDiscus
10-15-2003, 04:39 PM
Sweeeeet :D

dan
limige
10-15-2003, 05:23 PM
it looks like the top peices sit on top of the sides, do the sides sit on the bottom or does the bottom sit inside the sides?

nice job, i'm seriously thinking about building my own grow out tanks 60x18x18 roughly 84gallons, i have a rack to hold four of them. ;)

i just hope i can get the acrylic as cheap as you!!!! :o
my understanding was around $300! each

thanks for the write up, it looks easy but i'm afraid it's anything but!
GulfCoastDiscus
10-15-2003, 05:42 PM
A good place to buy acrylic tank. Glasscage.com http://65.197.157.223/newto/pages/main.asp
I'm purchasing 4- 29gal. for 40.00 a piece and 54.00 for shipping. It's just less hassle for me. The cheapest 29gal all glass tank I found is at petsmart for 70.00 Just another alternative.

Dan
Jeff
10-15-2003, 09:11 PM
Very nice Oscar. ;)
OEG
10-15-2003, 10:13 PM
Limige all sides sit on top of the bottom pice. I hope you get those pices cheap if not let me know i might be able to help you. I might be able to get some pices cut for you and send them out and you can put them together.let me know what you get the plexy for and ill tell you what i can do. My tank is about 74 gal. and i put it all together for $120.00 including plexy.
Oscar
Jason
10-19-2003, 03:00 PM
good job Oscar!

I feel a true fish breeder should be skilled in everything from tank making to microscopes.

D3!
FischAutoTechGarten
09-18-2004, 02:45 PM
Oscar,
Any issues with putting the acrylic tanks right up against each other?

Any thoughts on building tanks that are 24" X 16" X 16" with 1/4" acrylic where you don't put any bracing whatsoever on the top? (Would make wipe downs real easy if you could take the lid off and just wipe or squeege straight down.)

I see quite a few pictures of tanks at hatcheries in the far east where they have absolutely no bracing or support at the tops. Any thoughts?
Cosmo
09-23-2004, 03:20 PM
Oscar,

Eyes are too old, or the pic too small :) What type of glue did you use to fuse the panels together?

Jim