1 20 gal+ 1 20 gal =????

lowcountryfire · #1 (**permalink**) 01-19-2009, 09:34 PM

Ok, so my wife went yardsaleing the other day and came across a 20 gallon aquarium.... For a dollar!!! So she picked it up, and brought it home.... I have 2 Bearded Dragons and was in dire need for a larger "house" for them.. So I got to thinking of ideas that I could do.... So I ended up taking the 2 aquariums and putting them together into 1! Here are some pictures of the finished build (sorry of no during pictures the wife had the camera)...:

Ok, I only got 1 to upload to my computer..... The camera is acting a little funny, I will edit this post with some more pictures tomorrow.... Sorry guys, but here is one picture of what I have named "Frankentank".. LOL, yes I know, it is ugly as sin, but I was going for more functionality than quality... I will be adding more to it, such as platfroms etc. as i get the funds to do so, but any and all comments on what I should add/do next are welcome!

heartagramtc · #2 (**permalink**) 01-20-2009, 01:04 AM

you know i have an idea so it would kinda hide the seams.

you could make a "wall" that runs up the sides of the middle. then you could have a ridge in the middle between the two "walls" basically you would make a U shape out of GS eggcrate grout foam, whatever. to spice things up also you could add a "bridge" across the two "walls" that connect the two it doesnt have to be up high or anything. maybe it could be a basking spot? then on the outside you can cover it in black vinyl. so you dont really see the silicone etc...

thats my idea for now. i will try to draw a pic so u get a better understanding.

EDIT
ok so it took less time than i thought. dont mind the blue it was just a color to distinguish the picture

Futurehabitatcreator · #3 (**permalink**) 01-20-2009, 01:16 AM

Looks good

Now that you did it, I might go ahead and try the same thing but with 2 10 gallons.

How did you go about taking out the glass? Are you going to make a custom screen?

froggsong · #4 (**permalink**) 01-20-2009, 02:15 AM

heartagramtc, that is a wonderful idea. I can tell already you are going to be one of our designers.

lowcountry, I see a problem with what you did, unfortunately... It's an easy fix though. It looks like you cut the tank frame and used plexi or something to join the glass together to strengthen the seal; is that right? The problem I see is that you don't have any weight bearing support under the middle where the bottom panes of glass are joined. If the bottoms are tempered glass (most are) and the joint doesn't hold, they may shatter. You can avoid this by getting some of those foam or rubber stick on "legs" to reduce the stress on the joint, just make sure they are the right height. Put at least two on each side of the joint.
I definitely think you should do what heartagramtc suggested, it will also help strengthen the joint. I wouldn't do it with GS though, it may break the joint. It would be easy enough to make something exactly like that out of polystyrene foam and then silicone it in.
So, what are the dimensions of that now? Is it about 24"x24"? If so, four 12" inch tiles will fit it perfectly. Otherwise you could go with a 16"x16" tile and some 4" tiles.

Good luck! I can't wait to see what you do with it.

lowcountryfire · #5 (**permalink**) 01-20-2009, 09:21 AM

I am currently working on ideas to cover the seam up.. Than is a good idea about the low wall...

I do have some stabilization under the bottom, i used plexi to stabilize the joint itself from the bottom (the piece on the top was used due to a slight difference in floor heights). I also have some "legs" under it in some stress areas...

What I did to remove the glass is I first used a razorblade, and cut along the silicone in the corners. Then you need to remove both the top and bottom bracing around the piece you want removed. then its a matter ov making sure you take your time, and cut all of the silicone out and the glass will remove pretty easily.. I could have gone without the plexi on the sides, but I thought that the more I strenghtened the bond, the better..

I am going to measure it out today and get the exact dimensions, but it is about 24"x24". If it is, that will make my life a whole lot easier.... Right now I only have their basking rock and tree inside, but I plan to do a whole lot more, just need the $$$ to do it with....

I have a lot of polystyrene at work, so I might mess around with that and see what I come up with.. Thank you for the ideas, and keep them coming!

Futurehabitatcreator · #6 (**permalink**) 01-20-2009, 12:43 PM

I don't think anyone answered my question...

How are you going to cover it? Custom screening?

heartagramtc · #7 (**permalink**) 01-20-2009, 03:31 PM

im sure that lowcountryfire will have to make a custom screen. i dnt think they even make screens for that size tank. making a screen top shouldnt be too difficult. you could use the stuff they make screen doors with. cut it down to the right sizes then connect them all together. add the screen and your good to go! thats kinda like the screen top im building for my beardie. but mine is gunna be made out of wood moulding. hes in a 55 long but used to be an aquarium so it already has a wood border so none of the screens from like petsmart will fit it. cuz its slightly over size from the already exising wood border.

repman01 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-20-2009, 04:14 PM

that is so weird i was thinking that a couple days ago when i posted the question about the tanks but i only have two ten gallons

lowcountryfire · #9 (**permalink**) 01-20-2009, 07:09 PM

Sorry, as for the top, I am using 2 20 gallon screen tops, and I am going to zip-tie or find another way to connect them together, that way I have a "hinged" lid.. As for the 2 10 gallon tanks, do the same thing or make a basic one out of screen for a door like heart said...

repman01 · #10 (**permalink**) 01-20-2009, 10:37 PM

0120092042.jpg
this is a picture of what i was thinking

0120092042a.jpg

this is the side view