aymenz Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 hey guys...i'm thinking of trying to build my own fish tank for the 1st time.....what do u think the best glass thickness should be ????????well the dimension i'm gonna try are 4x2x2.....do anyone of you know where i can get the cheapst glass from ?????and how much will cost me to get all the sheet cutted to size ?????????and where is this place if there's one available which is cheap ?????????finally... i read an article on the net and it seems easy to assemble the cutted sheets..... welll i'm gonna try if i can find cheap off cuts....to suit the size i want.....please if you know someone that sells the glass sheets for cheap with cutting to the required size.... feel free to leave the details and the address with the phone number thx in advc ya:^: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ViS Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Unless you can get the glass at wholesale, and have the tools and clamps to do the job properly, it's more than likely you wouldn't be able to do it cheaper yourself. A 4x2x2 will cost you around $250 in 10mm glass from most specialist tank shops, and you'd be lucky to get the materials to make your own for that, not to mention the man hours involved actually making it (and the risk of breaking a panel accidentally).Unless of course you want to do it simply for the sake of doing it...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gutty Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 For your first tank it might be advisable to try something a bit smaller. An awful lot of water in a 4x2x2.Just my opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aymenz Posted December 12, 2003 Author Share Posted December 12, 2003 thx guys.. but does anyone where a place to get glass from.... which is located near the parramatta area ???????thx....c ya:^: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducksta Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 Well since you seem to want to disregard the sound advice given to you already - I would suggest the yellow pages. Look up glass/glaziers. Take your pick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trofius Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 last time I checked 10mm glass was $380 /m2 retail. so good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Link2Hell Posted December 14, 2003 Share Posted December 14, 2003 As every one else here says, start with a smaller tank in 6mmits easier to cut and assemble if you haven't done it beforeI doubt you will find anything considered an "offcut" in the size you mentioned especially in 10mm which is minimum size for 2'H x 2'W tankLike most things ..... you have to learn to crawl before you walkIf you get it wrong there will only be grief from lost money and excess waterMake some small project tanks firstdon't forget to allow for overlaps in thickness and to leave a 2mmsilicone gap (never fit the glass together without it cause you won'thave any flex allowance and will crack the sheets)Good luckL2H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exiledonmainstreet Posted December 15, 2003 Share Posted December 15, 2003 My advice: never build a tank for yourself. If you do save any money initially, the money it costs you in repair, potential fish loss, due to a tank leaking, or bursting out while your out, and most of all your sanity, will "greatly" outweigh any money you save initially. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquaclear Posted December 15, 2003 Share Posted December 15, 2003 aymenz, go for it! remember the #1 rule, make sure the glass is cleaned thoroughly with a spirit agent first!! some other tips, only use selleys silicone sealant- the tube with the window on the front (blue), and buy some right angle brackets from the reject shop, they will definately help you. Place bottom sheet on the ground (on towel) stack books in the corner to form the right angle. silicone one side sheet onto the base leaning the glass against the books. Do one corner at a time. When beading off the silicone wet your finger first, use one motion all the way along and only do this once, more than once and you may lose the contact you need. Let each corner set before attempting the next. Use a set square to assist.Get the float sheet glass you need already cut in the shop, and remember to allow for the silicone gap & other shortfalls. ie, the width of the end pieces will be smaller than the base is wide, less the double thickness of the glass...to allow for the front and back pieces to fit onto the base! Brace the top with a small sheet from front to rear, some lids perhaps. Go to your nearest picture framing shop and see if they will spare you some of their off cuts.Glass shops generally will not have 'off-cuts', esspecially in 10mm. They get a cut-back for sending off-cut, broken glass back to their suppliers.Be prepared to pay about $200 plus/sqm for the materials!HTH.........oh, I hold no responsibility for the actions of yourself or anyone else attempting this DIY project, .....But go for it! :lol: :lol: :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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