I still have 2 empty tanks!! What to do??

[kuatto]

Made the big mistake of looking in my storage closet and they they were..a 20 high and a 33,just screaming out.I figure I can use the exscuse"honey,lets set up one in the kids room for them" :mrgreen:
Any suggestions on stocking maybe the 20 high?Anyone have pics of their 20 gal setup?Tank will be run without a sump,or skimmer,and normal lighting(maybe pc)

[mpishi]

seahorses and pipefish, 20 gal with undergravel filter :biggrin:

[kuatto]

I just remembered,I don't have a top for the tank anymore :sad: Anyone have one they want to sell?even just a plastic top!

[mr_alberta]

Why don't you just go to home depot and pick up some acrylic and use that as a top? Or I'm sure someone has some scrap acrylic that you could use.

[kuatto]

I must have something I can use...

[Richer]

What are the dimensions? I have a glass top I don't use anymore that might fit.

-Rich

[kuatto]

24long,12.5 wide

[Richer]

I may just have a glass top for you then. I have a sliding glass top that I used on my old 15 gallon tank (same top dimension as your 20 gallon) that I switched onto my 20gal bowfront which I have in storage. Let me take some measurements to double check. If it checks out, you can have it for 5 bucks. If you're handy with a glass cutter, I also have a couple of fold-up glass lids for 30 gallon tanks (dimension 36"x12") that you can have for 10 bucks each.

-Rich

[kuatto]

I'll take the one from the 15 if it fits :biggrin:

[kuatto]

Guess I'll cut the 33 up to make a cube(broke the bottom :sad: )
Anyone here in Edmonton cut some glass for me?? :mrgreen:

[mr_alberta]

How thick is the glass?

[kuatto]

The standard 1/4 they use in 33gallons.Would like to do a bandless tank,nice clean look(I want a cube like the rest of the "cool" kids :mrgreen: )

[Richer]

Ooo... if you're going to do that, I wouldn't mind tagging along to see how a tank is built :razz:

-Rich

[mr_alberta]

Tank building isn't actually that hard...there's not much to it if you get the glass cut straight. Just make sure you mask everything off first or else you won't get all those nice clean silicone lines. Oh, and a couple of people helping doesn't hurt either :mrgreen:

[Richer]

Then I offer my own two hands. Thats right, two!

-Rich

[kuatto]

Well after I take it all apart and clean up the silicone,I guess I'll just bring it to a glass shop to make sure it gets cut straight.
Don't worry rich,I'll let you know when I'm ready to put it all togather :biggrin:

[kuatto]

Glass is all taken apart(and no stitches :razz: )All I need to make cube with inside dimensions of 17" all the way around is one piece 17x17(will call a few glass places I guess)

[Matt]

I'm a new member, but I've built hundreds of tanks. It will go much better if you make a pair of 90 degree jigs. Forgive me if you've built before, but maybe someone will find this useful:

Start with two plywood bases, about 4" wide and 2' long. Attach a vertical triangle to each base with glue-and-screw, making a 90deg angle at the back of the base. This will make a flat-bottomed aquarium. For a recessed bottom, you need to have a supporting moulding, and you should build it right into the base moulding.

Have some masking tape pre-cut to 4" segments.

All measurements assume 1/4" glass. Clean the glass very thorougly before beginning.

Some people like to run masking tape along the inside 5/8" or so from the edges. This will create a clean edge when you pull the bead at the end. Personally, I've never felt the need. Messy beads are the result of too much silicone, and too much silicone makes lousy joins anyway.

The 17x17 piece is the bottom. Put it flat on the bases, snug to the risers. Take your next piece, which should be 16.75" x 17" -- the back --, and run a bead of clear silicone along one of the long (17") edges. The bead should be a little narrower than the glass. Press the back down onto the bottom gently but firmly. Tape the back to the risers. This is just to keep it from falling over. Don't mess with the silicone yet!

Take the next piece -- a side -- which should be 16.5"x16.75". Put a thin bead of silicone along two edges of this piece, and CAREFULLY but firmly place it into the end-corner. Make sure that the long edge goes to the back not the bottom. You'll likely have to adjust it a little to ensure it is flush to the end. Tape it to the back and bottom with a few pieces of masking tape. Again, don't mess with the silicone at this point.

Repeat for the second end. This will result in an open-fronted aquarium loosely held together with masking tape and uncured silicone.

Very carefully, run a bead of silicone up the front edges of the two "end" pieces. Be careful not to push them off flush to the bottom and back. If you do, adjust carefully. Run another bead along the long edge of the "front" (for a 'cube' it may require measuring to find the long edge).

To finish, place the front, at an angle onto the bottom, then pivot it up onto the ends. Press it firmly into place. Square the pieces flush and tape.

In pressing the tank together, there will be silicone on the inside and outside. With a damp finger, start at the back inside corner and pull the bead upwards. Support the outside of the glass with your other hand. Do all four corners and then the four lines of the bottom as cleanly as you can. Don't do anything to any excess on the outside. You'll clean that up with a razor at the end.

Leave it for a few hours on the jig before moving it. Don't test with water before 24 hours.

Merry Christmas.

Matt[/i][/b]

[Tarolisol]

I built my 18x18x18 cube and it was incredibly easy, ive never siliconed a thing before either. Good luck with yours.

[Skimmerking]

Jim why dont you put a couple of perc's in each tank forthe kids. Or 2 chromis for them with a hango filter like a aqauclear300.

There you go make a top forthe tanks out of plywood. and use those Hagen Glo mats as the lights run a 30 W hagen on it one bulb NO flouresant.

Or put 3 400 20K over each tank LOL
sorry man hope to stop over during strong contender to see ya and the wife and kids

take care buddy later
mike

merry christmas army dudeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[kuatto]

Matt,welcome to the board :mrgreen:

I called for prices on getting the glass cut and was told $10-$15 :biggrin: and the bottom peice would be like $18 to be replaced.I've done a few tanks for both lizards and fish,the process doesn't worry me.