Diy Nano Tank

[Katch]

Well, I've got a tiny little 10L tank under my 24G Nano Cube and its just not quite big enough for my liking. So; I've measured out the dimensions for the biggest tank that I can fit in the space to be 38cm x 25 x 30; all in all just under 30 litres.

I have never built a tank (or worked with glass) before so this should be interesting...

I've just ordered my cuts of glass and will be collecting them later. I'll be using 4mm with arised edges.

I plan to also make a custom lighting hood for it out of pine.

Here's the set up as it is now.

 

[Carlovel1]

This shall be interesting...

 

[GrayScale]

keep us updated on how it goes!

 

[Ryan12]

I'm interested in doing something similar to this next summer. I will be watching this.

 

[Katch]

So my 5 bits of glass are officially 'a tank' now;

Never worked with glass before - interesting learning curve. Anyone thinking of trying this here are my tips, or 'what I should have done'

1) Gloves - several pairs, silicone covered hands are nasty
2) Mask mask mask - I'd use paper and tape to mask off the main areas of glass inside and out to avoid getting silicone on it.
3) Mask mask mask some more. Masking tape either side of the seam you're working on. Run the bead along it then smooth with a wetted finger or some implement. Count to 30 then peal back the tape nice and smooth.
4) Well ventilated area - felt like I was at the Pyramid stage on Friday night by the end of the job!
5) Take your time.


Anyhow - still not done a bad job. Have a bit of a clean up mission to get silicone smears off the glass but shouldn't be too hard.

 

[Carlovel1]

It looks stunning mate

 

[Katch]

Isopropyl alcohol - my new best friend; that and a plastic pan scourer. Gets the silcone smudges off the glass a treat. I'd not let it run into the seams though, as it may weaken them.

 

[Katch]

After a little bit of woodwork and a bit of cleaning up we have progress;

Filled to leak test - so far no leaks.

Still a little cleaning to do on the glass to get excess silicone off and the hood is not completely finished yet. But I think it's going well.

 

[ian]

you have done a cracking job (no pun), looks really good!

How much has this cost you if you don't mind me asking?

BTW this made me lol.

4) Well ventilated area - felt like I was at the Pyramid stage on Friday night by the end of the job!

 

[Katch]

Glass was £20
Sealant £5
Wood & Sundries £15

I really fancy having a go at Iwagumi style with this tank - but I also have another idea... top secret at the moment.

 

[Jonty]

Did you order the glass online? If so, where from?

 

[bae1994]

looks cool i likie the hood alot


gotta agree with all the tips tho as ive made a few tanks (for fun really with picture frame glass and the ventelation it smells like urine abit

 

[Katch]

Did you order the glass online? If so, where from?

No, used a local supplier - just rang round a handful and got quotes from £20 - £40ish

The place I used took my order over the phone and I went and collected it an hour later. Thats my kind of turn around, suited the impulsive nature of the project.

 

[Katch]

48 hours and no leaks - great.

I've just about finished the hood now too. Any suggestions for lighting this, I'm going for low tech planted. Ideally I'd like a 24w T5 PL over it but I can't find a suitable starter... budget is the key as always.

 

[elisew]

Looking good, you`ve done a great job

Might be a daft idea but have you thought about the white and blue LED strips for lighting? Surely you wouldn`t need a lot of light for such a small tank?