diy rimless aquarium?

jrockwater · #1 01/04/2008, 01:07 PM

has anyone fabricated their own rimless? I was hoping to get some diy advice, instruction, or website links. would love to see a few pics as well if anyone wants to share their experiences. i plan to build a 65 wide rimless in the near future.

checkinhawk · #2 01/04/2008, 01:37 PM

i made this myself from 3/4" thick.i am on lunch and have to leave but ill answer any questions after i get back home.
24x24x14 rimless approx 30g

dattack · #3 01/04/2008, 02:14 PM

Nice acrylic tank there. Do you have any idea what's the largest rimless tank one can make out of 3/4" acrylic? I have a sheet of 3/4" and planning to make it 18-20" tall but not sure how long or deep I can go.

jrockwater · #4 01/04/2008, 02:16 PM

very nice tank, especially the outside overflow box. your tank was the first i've seen with that kind of overflow. i was hoping to make one out of glass. do you have any advice on a glass build?

jrockwater · #5 01/04/2008, 02:17 PM

very nice tank checkinhawk, especially the outside overflow box. your tank was the first i've seen with that kind of overflow. i was hoping to make one out of glass. do you have any advice on a glass build?

Donw · #6 01/04/2008, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dattack
Nice acrylic tank there. Do you have any idea what's the largest rimless tank one can make out of 3/4" acrylic? I have a sheet of 3/4" and planning to make it 18-20" tall but not sure how long or deep I can go.

At 14" tall and 48" long I get no bowing what so ever with 3/4 so I would think you could go taller.

Don

Giga · #7 01/04/2008, 03:14 PM

I'm building a rimless tank 25"x21"x15" with 1/2" glass and RTV103 silicone. I am building it with a double bottom(a little like Elos) and external overflow out of 3/8" glass. I haven't started yet as I just build the stand but just make sure that the silicone has a nice bead, tape things off(if you want nice clean edges) and alot of patience and a helper.

I would stick with glass because acrylic will lose is clarity after about 3-4 months

checkinhawk · #8 01/04/2008, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dattack
Nice acrylic tank there. Do you have any idea what's the largest rimless tank one can make out of 3/4" acrylic? I have a sheet of 3/4" and planning to make it 18-20" tall but not sure how long or deep I can go.

IMO i wouldnt go much taller than the 14" i went on a 24"x24" side walls.i do have a very slight bow(barely a bow but it bows).if the tank was smaller than 24" sides then you could go taller than the 14".

checkinhawk · #9 01/04/2008, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jrockwater
very nice tank checkinhawk, especially the outside overflow box. your tank was the first i've seen with that kind of overflow. i was hoping to make one out of glass. do you have any advice on a glass build?

i dont work with glass so i cant give you any advise on thinkness or how to build it.the external overflow is getting to be common on alot of custom tanks so i figured id do one on this tank.

checkinhawk · #10 01/04/2008, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Giga
I would stick with glass because acrylic will lose is clarity after about 3-4 months

simply not true,quality cast acrylic wont lose clarity in 3-4 months.

jrockwater · #11 01/06/2008, 01:09 AM

Giga, could you describe (or maybe show pics of too) the double bottom? is it some kind of bracing?

Giga · #12 01/07/2008, 09:25 AM

I'll describe it to you. the bottom pane is 1/2" think and is 25"x21" then a piece of 3/8" glass is siliconed on top of that piece that is 23-7/8"x19-7/8". Then the sides are put on top of the 1/2" piece and don't totally but up against the 3/8". There is about 1/16" of room for the silicone on any of the sides on the inside piece of glass. With this design you will have Tensile and adhesive strength. This may be way over kill but I've had a long time to come up with this and it's rock solid.

I'm sorry but glass is just a better choice in my opinion, because acrylic will lose it clarity and get micro scratches. Seen this over and over no matter how good a quality the acrylic is.

The_Browns · #13 01/07/2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by checkinhawk
i made this myself from 3/4" thick.i am on lunch and have to leave but ill answer any questions after i get back home.
24x24x14 rimless approx 30g

VERY NICE

How did you make it look so neat using the silicone?

Giga · #14 01/07/2008, 11:50 AM

thats acrylic and you use weld-on silicone doesn't hold to acrylic well

checkinhawk · #15 01/07/2008, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The_Browns
VERY NICE

How did you make it look so neat using the silicone?

weld on 40 for all the joints and hours of hand polishing to make it shine.i taped off all the glue joints before glueing then peeled the tape after i glued the pieces together(before the WO40 dries)