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My New Big Dual Tank, Homebrew

PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 8:10 pm
by Toadzilla
Hey everyone. I just posted my new setup i finished on my webpage, Check it out and tell me what you think

I made the tanks and all from scratch

http://www.toadtronics.com/pics.html

If you see something wrong with how its set up let me know.

PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 8:38 pm
by BigCT
How hard was it and how long did it take to build? Any advise would be appreciated

I've been wanting to build my own tank, but i'm afraid I would screw it up and screwing up 100 gallon of water is bad.

PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 9:03 pm
by Toadzilla
The tank itself is not made of glass. It is acrylic or "plexiglass". I used 1/4" but if i made another i would probly use 3/8 or 1/2" because mine bows out more than i would like... If you look at the pic i did glue a 1" strip along the top ends but not down the lenght. I wish i had and i would have no bowing whatsoever.. Oh well

The contruction of the tank itself is really quick.. The base took me longer to make... I say the whole thing took me a total of ~ 15hrs working time. I got the plexiglass pre-cut to my exact sized by the store and they didnt charge much. The glue is a very this liquid that must be applied with a small needle that you could get from a drugstore.

For tips on glueing acrylic check this out.

http://www.duboisi.com/diy/BNdiytank/bndiytank.htm

My stand inside is similar to this one.
http://www.dudeiknow.com/aquarium/

The middle of my tank has a partion that is removable and i will eventually be cutting it down and but and creating a waterfall from the fish side.. It also hold the take together in the middle.
If you are scared about the joints on the acrylic i wouldnt be.. After glueing and allowing it to set i have tryed many times to break the joint and the plastic before the joint usually breaks first so the joint is actually harder than the plastic itself.

After buling it i read and realized that i might have made mistake in using acrylic after reading on here that there claws may scratch the tank but meh. I like it.

PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 9:15 pm
by GouzlanTheAmerican
your floruesent light looks like it is too high. the maximum distance i would put between the light and the basking dock would be about 8in.

PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 10:15 pm
by Toadzilla
I might lower the light a bit... its at 14" from bulb to dock now.. It is the higher output bulb. Its a Reptisum 8.0.. so i might be ok.....?..

PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 10:19 pm
by TexasJagsFan
That's a real nice setup!

PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 10:33 pm
by RES Tampa
Great looking tank TZ!!

PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 11:11 pm
by GouzlanTheAmerican
hmm 8.0 mabey. i have a 7.0 and i still dont want to get it too far away from the dock. the closer it is though the more uvb rays your turt gets.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 1:09 am
by TrooperRES
wow that looks amazing!
how much did it all cost u? the setup that is..
cute turtle! i luv hatchlings

PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 1:40 am
by steve
looks very very nice. but i would worry about using 1/4" acrylic... even if the bowing was minor. but the little guy sure has alot of room for himself.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 12:51 pm
by marisa
Very nice set-up! I'd keep my eye on that bowing, though.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 1:09 pm
by GouzlanTheAmerican
how big is that tank? it, looks very nice!

PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 1:20 pm
by Toadzilla
I plan on adding a thing wood trim along the top to stop the bowing on the front and back.

The size was posted on the site... Its 2 feet by 5 feet and 15" tall
That amounts to ~85 Gallons if filled to 14".. Ive only got 8" in it and that all i plan too. Which is 50 Gallons of true water... Not comparable to a 50 Gallon aquarium which would only be filled with 15 or so Gallon.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 1:22 pm
by GouzlanTheAmerican
wow thats big! i wish i could have an 85 gallon aquarium. my mom is afraid the whole house will collapse if i have anything bigger than a 30 gallon (which is wat i have).

PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 2:09 pm
by Toadzilla
Does your house have a bath tub? Same thing.. its like 5-6 people standing in a 5 foot area. No big deal.