180 Gallon Glass build help

[Fishman Dave]

Just re-built a 180 that had been previously bought from new and disassembled by another member on here. The glass is all 10mm
The base is built to have all the panels sit on it and has 2” strips down front and back internally on the base. I see this ad a good idea as these can be siliconed in place first to help locate both the front and back walls and the side panels. Used two silicon guns set up with differing beads.
first is very fine bead to put down then sit the glass back onto , then the thick beast to run once glass is in place. Using saliva finger to smooth silicon in place. Used carpet tape to hold from to side panels in place as I siliconed until finished with a fully siliconed box held with tape.
finslly siliconed the top bracing using buckets in the tank to support it. Just remember you have to be able to get them out once the silicon sets!
All done with black silicon.

 

[Tenzen]

Here is a page I just found.. With a bit of info for you.

Glass Thickness

I was drawing up some new plans last night for another build after I saw a glass rod which was triangle in shape. I was thinking about using those as braces on the bottom and top ( Just under the lip ) for a cleaner look ?
So hard to explain in words

 

[deeda]

Another question. Why is my profile listed as a Mosquito Fish? Just cause I'm new?

It's just a silly moniker that changes over time every time you post on the forum.

 

[69maritime]

Fishman - Interesting about the store bought aquarium. I like the idea of the braces along the bottom glass. I imagine adding pieces along the short side as well would help even more. I will be using a substrate so the bottom braces wouldn't bother me.

Tenzen - I like that chart. Obviously back when that book was written there wasn't too many people building tanks over 6 feet. lol. I would have to see what you mean by glass rod to understand. Right now I'm picturing a triangle from music class, only fabricated from glass.

deeda - It is funny! I chuckled when I googled the name.

Well, I guess I won't be getting any more quotes until at least Monday. Interestingly enough and to M1A1's point earlier. There is a PetSmart 3 hours away from that have 125 gallon aquarium packages including lights, canopy and stand for $800. The cheapest quote I've gotten so far is for 10mm glass and that's at $1200. I've got more reading and thinking to do for sure. Thanks again to everyone's help. Very nice community here!

 

[Caperguy99]

Hello there! I’m in Cape Breton and I’m facing many of the same issues that you are in terms of access to larger tanks. Even though there are PetSmart and other box providers around, they don’t really seem to sell 180s.

I’ve been enjoying reading all of this info on DIY builds, so thanks for making the thread.

During your research, have you found anywhere that will ship out to our part of the world? I’d love to have a 180 fahaka setup or something, but I must say I’m a bit discouraged by our lack of access to materials in this part of the world. I might have to go down the DIY path myself, eventually.

All the best!

 

[69maritime]

Caperguy99 - I'm in St. Peter's and I wish I had more info for you. I was actually at PetSmart in Sydney on Thursday. The poor kid I was talking to obviously didn't have much experience yet with aquariums. I asked about larger Aquariums and he said he was pretty sure that's as big as Aquariums get. The largest they had was a 55. It was 30 mins before closing time and he seemed to be the only one around so I told him thank you and left it at that. 1fish2sish in Dartmouth told me they could help get me what I want when I'm ready. Anyone will ship. There is a custom aquarium builder near Toronto that will make whatever you're looking for. What we're looking for though is between $2 and $3 thousand before shipping. I've gotten 4 different quotes on glass. They all involve me driving at least an hour 1 way and the cheapest quote was for $1800 and that was only 10mm glass. The most expensive was almost $2800 for 12mm glass. I'm still slowly looking around. Kijiji has a few large used tanks every once and a while and Facebook market place turns up a few large tanks sometimes. There is a place in Truro called HubTown Community Fish Tank that has quite a few tanks for sale. I haven't been there yet but plan to stop in the next time I drive to Halifax. Thanks for reaching out. I'll keep you posted if I come across anything.

 

[Caperguy99]

Caperguy99 - I'm in St. Peter's and I wish I had more info for you. I was actually at PetSmart in Sydney on Thursday. The poor kid I was talking to obviously didn't have much experience yet with aquariums. I asked about larger Aquariums and he said he was pretty sure that's as big as Aquariums get. The largest they had was a 55. It was 30 mins before closing time and he seemed to be the only one around so I told him thank you and left it at that. 1fish2sish in Dartmouth told me they could help get me what I want when I'm ready. Anyone will ship. There is a custom aquarium builder near Toronto that will make whatever you're looking for. What we're looking for though is between $2 and $3 thousand before shipping. I've gotten 4 different quotes on glass. They all involve me driving at least an hour 1 way and the cheapest quote was for $1800 and that was only 10mm glass. The most expensive was almost $2800 for 12mm glass. I'm still slowly looking around. Kijiji has a few large used tanks every once and a while and Facebook market place turns up a few large tanks sometimes. There is a place in Truro called HubTown Community Fish Tank that has quite a few tanks for sale. I haven't been there yet but plan to stop in the next time I drive to Halifax. Thanks for reaching out. I'll keep you posted if I come across anything.

Did you ever get your 180 figured out?