Date 2002-10-21
Provider: ------
Author: Niko Lupala
Editor: Amber Lupala
Ok I know it's not hard to make a plexi tank but I still thought that a mod site would not be complete if it didn't have a guide for how to build a plexi tank :)
It's much cheaper than buying a tank since you have to pay around 50$ to buy one, or you can instead buy some plexi as I did for 1$ because they had a piece they wouldn't use.
Then buy some glue and silicon and you are basiclly ready to go :)
Needed for project
Plexi- I think the 6 mm one is the best for this.
Plexi Glue
Silicon
1/2" Fittings if you make a lid to the tank
Patience :)
I don't have any pics of the start- I dont know where they dissapeared :( Step 1
Get your jig saw or dremel so you can cut up 5 pieces. They have to be the same size. This will make the sides stand up a little higher than
the rest of the tank and it's one good way to get the lid to stay on better. Step 2
Start gluing everything together and have PATIENCE! It takes awhile and maybe you should glue it together outside since this glue smells so BAD!
Just a little warning :) How to glue it together
Put some glue on the edge of one piece and push another peace against the glue and hold it for about 5 minutes. Then let it dry for about 30 min. After that apply the same procedure as before until everything is glued :) Step 3
After the glue has dried it's time to silicon everything so it won't leak :) And this is actually harder than it seems because there is always a little leak somewhere :P Step 4
Let everything dry really really good!
Here we see when I started siliconing the tank but at this moment I still had like 3 leaks *sigh*
Put some extra silicone all over so it won't leak. Better to much than to little :)
Here we have the tank done except the lid. Looks pretty neat with the lazerled from behind. I'm going to run a Sicce Micra pump in this tank.
When it gets colder outside I'm going to put the tank outside on the balcony and see how cold the system gets :)(The lazerled looks better in reality- the camera doesn't really catch
the light good)
Conclusion
Building a tank is ALOT cheaper than buying one. It takes time but it's fun and you can make it as you want it to be. Patience is really needed but it's so nice to see
the work you have done finally pay off. This mod is not hard at all so I think everyone can do it- both newbs and pros. I hope this guide has
helped you a little at least, it's short but it has the basics. You can also expand this mod by putting in some leds on the bottom like the Glowpad everyone is building all the time. I bet
that would give you a neat looking tank and one that very few have.
Warning do not use normal silicone if you are going to make a fish tank since there is alot of poison and crap in the silicon. Thanx to Excelsior for pointing this out. Check out your local pet stire
for silicone without any poisons
DISCLAIMER: Red&Blackness is not resposible for any damage to the product that may be incured by the user!
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