Tank Prices
- Thread starter Eli916
- Start date
Why not make your own?
Its relatively easy and a WHOLE lot cheaper!!!
Just check the thickness of the glass you'll need, get a tube of sealant and maybe borrow a picture frame clamp (it holds 2 pieces at 90 degrees)
I've just finished mine, 35ish gallons (144 litres) and it cost about half of what it would if I had to buy it ready made
Its relatively easy and a WHOLE lot cheaper!!!
Just check the thickness of the glass you'll need, get a tube of sealant and maybe borrow a picture frame clamp (it holds 2 pieces at 90 degrees)
I've just finished mine, 35ish gallons (144 litres) and it cost about half of what it would if I had to buy it ready made
trim - the black plastic around the top of the tank?
Eli916 have you ever considered purchasing a used tank? like from your classified ads or a yard sale ? This is the best way to get tanks IMO. Every tank I buy has been used. The going rate for used tanks is about $1 / gallon ($1.50 in Canada)
You can take into consideration quality, glass scratches? stand? equipment? for example I would pay around $250-300 US for a complete 100 gallon setup
Eli916 have you ever considered purchasing a used tank? like from your classified ads or a yard sale ? This is the best way to get tanks IMO. Every tank I buy has been used. The going rate for used tanks is about $1 / gallon ($1.50 in Canada)
You can take into consideration quality, glass scratches? stand? equipment? for example I would pay around $250-300 US for a complete 100 gallon setup
trim?? mmm, never seen it before! Most tanks here in South Africa are made by the bigger petshops themselves...
Usually the canopy is put straight onto the glass...
Sheesh, as for a second hand tank - a FULL setup?? Wow, that would cost a bit - It would cost a whole lot more than the equivalent of $250 for that size tank - I'm guessing its about 5 or 6 foot?
But occasionally I have to admit, there are good deals out there - especially when people find that they have suddenly come into ownership of the tank and don't have the time/inclination to look after it
But on making it yourself, it feels good - I filled my tank for the first time today (no leaks!!) And can't wait to get it up and going!!! Started making the canopy today too
Usually the canopy is put straight onto the glass...
Sheesh, as for a second hand tank - a FULL setup?? Wow, that would cost a bit - It would cost a whole lot more than the equivalent of $250 for that size tank - I'm guessing its about 5 or 6 foot?
But occasionally I have to admit, there are good deals out there - especially when people find that they have suddenly come into ownership of the tank and don't have the time/inclination to look after it
But on making it yourself, it feels good - I filled my tank for the first time today (no leaks!!) And can't wait to get it up and going!!! Started making the canopy today too
Well it depends on kind of equipment you got...
I'm pretty well set up as its been a hobby of my father's and mine for years now.
But the idea is pretty simple
You need 5 pieces of wood:
2 pieces for the front and back - back I used was about 100mm high
and the front 40mm high
The side pieces obviously angle from the front to the back
Then top (lid whatever) is hinged from the top to the bottom
basically use the front, back and sides as a frame around the outside edge of your tank, then get thin strips (about 10mm) along the inside so the canopy can use that to rest on the glass
My idea was to have a totally slanted roof (easiest and the cat can't sit on top of it nicely!!!)) and you can also use that inside edge to rest a thinner (4mm) glass piece to protect your light (from condensation etc) which I'll be putting right at the back.
Simple to say, and I did encounter some small probs but nothing too serious
That help?
If not I can go into more detail...
I'm pretty well set up as its been a hobby of my father's and mine for years now.
But the idea is pretty simple
You need 5 pieces of wood:
2 pieces for the front and back - back I used was about 100mm high
and the front 40mm high
The side pieces obviously angle from the front to the back
Then top (lid whatever) is hinged from the top to the bottom
basically use the front, back and sides as a frame around the outside edge of your tank, then get thin strips (about 10mm) along the inside so the canopy can use that to rest on the glass
My idea was to have a totally slanted roof (easiest and the cat can't sit on top of it nicely!!!)) and you can also use that inside edge to rest a thinner (4mm) glass piece to protect your light (from condensation etc) which I'll be putting right at the back.
Simple to say, and I did encounter some small probs but nothing too serious
That help?
If not I can go into more detail...
Well latest development in canopy building...
I was going to attch the light fittings to the back of the canopy, but have now realized with a HOB filter theres gonna be a conflict of space.
Might be an idea to raise the back piece a bit more.
Or make the back part of the lid fixed and hinge it a bit further down, so that you can attach the light fixtures to that part.
Sorry, can't help with photos, need a camera for that
I was going to attch the light fittings to the back of the canopy, but have now realized with a HOB filter theres gonna be a conflict of space.
Might be an idea to raise the back piece a bit more.
Or make the back part of the lid fixed and hinge it a bit further down, so that you can attach the light fixtures to that part.
Sorry, can't help with photos, need a camera for that
I am crazy. A glass cover will cost me $60 Canadian after taxes. Plus lights. Um, no thanks.
I will use 1"x8" cedar, to form a rectangle, and a sheet of plywood on top. with a hinged flap along the front to allow for feeding access and wc's. I figure a wood box will be a bit cheaper than glass and will look sharper when stained etc.
I'll have to poke a hole or two in the back to facilitate installation of Canister Hoses. Also I need to poke 3" holes and install some old computer power supply fans to remove heat
Should I blow air into the canopy or suck it out ?
Lighting will just screw into the underside, I got some cheap fluourescents from a friend.
I'll take pics and see how it goes
I will use 1"x8" cedar, to form a rectangle, and a sheet of plywood on top. with a hinged flap along the front to allow for feeding access and wc's. I figure a wood box will be a bit cheaper than glass and will look sharper when stained etc.
I'll have to poke a hole or two in the back to facilitate installation of Canister Hoses. Also I need to poke 3" holes and install some old computer power supply fans to remove heat
Should I blow air into the canopy or suck it out ?
Lighting will just screw into the underside, I got some cheap fluourescents from a friend.
I'll take pics and see how it goes
It's half built, design change mid way, I used 1x6 spruce instead of 1x8 cedar. I couldn't get 1x8's in 8 foot lengths, only 6 foot lengths, so I opted to save a bit of money and get ordinary 1x6's. However I went through the pile, and got the best pieces I could find
I was originally going to go with plywood for the top, but I think I might go with 1x6's instead, it will be a bit cleaner than ply
Pics to follow (need to borrow a digicam).
I was originally going to go with plywood for the top, but I think I might go with 1x6's instead, it will be a bit cleaner than ply
Pics to follow (need to borrow a digicam).