Building a tank vs buying

[Jaxom]

I started a thread in lizards forum about a vive for anoles. But after alot of checking, I soon realized buying a tank is gonna be expensive. So I did some googling and came to garf.org and how to build a tank from plywood and either glass or plexi.

Seems like there's a short timer on posting, I I'll try to make this quick...

Why can't I build a tank taller then 30" tall? I'll be using 3/4" ply. Could even frame it out for more support.

I know I can get plexi at home improvement stores easily. How hard is it to get glass? Preferably tempured glass that is stronger/thicker?

One thing that I did like about store bought tanks is how they have vents in the front, aiding in good ventilation. Suggestions on how I can do something like this in a diy cage?

Thanks,

Jax

[Epiphile]

I don't see why you couldn't build it more than that tall- perhaps those specs were for the whole thing to be filled with water and used as an aquarium?

Glass is easy- there are a ton of window/glass stores around where I live, at least. They'll cut whatever you want to size, and most places that specialize in the material will drill holes and everything for you. If you don't need to consider the weight of water pressure on it, you can use quite thin glass without a problem- tempered glass only keeps it from breaking into splinters when it does eventually break, I believe. and thicker glass tends to get heavy.

Here's a link to a build design that's just glass, but might give you some ideas as to how to vent the front: http://forum.theorchidsource.com/ubb...arium_Ste.html

I really think you should pursue this- a homemade tank would be far more rewarding than working within the confines of a store-bought tank. Good luck.

[Jaxom]

Well first off, I love working with wood. Alot of the furniture in my home I've built myself. And I just so happen to have a couple full sheets of red oak and birch veneer 3/4" ply in the basement.

Epiphile, you bring up an interesting point. That website garf.org, I think is leaning towards tanks holding water. Since going by the diamentions you give it gives you a total volume in gallons.

Having said that I'm wondering about water sealing methods discussed in that sights construction page. Using some tank sealing paint. I don't need the entire tank water proof. Just the bottom...say 4-6" for a f/b.

Is using fiberglass as dangerious as that sight claims? What are some other water proofing techniques?

Also, I was doing some more reading of threads last night. How tight are those window sliders? The type where you have two plates of glass that slide on a vynal track. I don't want lizard food escaping the tank!

Jax

[Epiphile]

I think a lot of people end up using a marine epoxy like West Marine brand. I looked into less toxic/more environmentally friendly alternatives for water sealing, but wasn't able to come up with anything that's as effective as fiberglass or epoxy. I think the epoxy might be a bit easier to work with, but I'm not entirely sure.

You'll definitely want to seal the whole interior if you're intending to keep it humid as opposed to just the bottom- it'd be a shame to put that much work into it just to have it rot away on you.

I'm not too sure about those vinyl tracks- I think the space seperating the two panes of glass would only be as wide as the bit between them on the track itself, right? It's something to consider. You might be able to put a bit of rubber squeegee-ish type material on one of the panes or something, but it'd be less than nice aesthetically, perhaps.

I think this build'll be a piece of cake for you- keep us posted.

[Jaxom]

By marine epoxy like West Marine, you mean a paint? What if I could buy pond liner material by the yard? I could silcone this to the sides and back? Trust me, I'm not looking for an easy way out. If I have to use those epoxy tank paints mentioned at garf.org, I'll do so. I want this done right. Just looking at what my options are.

[Epiphile]

It is applied like a paint, but it's a two-part product (resin and hardener) that needs to be mixed together.

There are plenty of other options, but that's one that seems relatively easy, reliable and durable. Pond liner's a reasonable solution, too, but there are things like seams and any eventual tears in the material to consider as well.

How big were you thinking of going, by the way?

[Jaxom]

Okay...gotchya on that one.

Size... 4' wide (across) 24" (deep) and perhaps 36" (tall)

Question about construction method. If this was a desk, shelving unit, or any other type of furniture, I'd normally use liquid nails and my braid nailer for construction. I'm assuming that liquid nails would't be a good idea. And the braid nails won't hold silicone, so I'd have to use screws??? That won't look as nice!

[jpstod]

If Your doing Wood, then you would construct it just like any other piece of furniture or Cabinet.


Use Finish Nails not Brads..I recommend at least 1 1/2"
Use a good Wood Glue..

You have several options to seal the Tank Inside..

Ceramic Backboard 1/4 thick ...Waterproof already..Easy to decorate with a background..

Pond Liner..Difficult to decorate You could cement it In Place and seal seams..Put I think it would be hard to get stuff to stick to it.

As for Vents you could incorporate Them into a portion of the Bottom and Top Portion of the Cabinet Face and not in the Glass.

Are you making the Cage to fit on Something or are you gonna Need to Make a stand for it?

[Jaxom]

Ah...the pnematic nailer I have can shoot, brads, finish (for trim work) or taples, I think up to 2" in length.

Gorilla glue came out with a water tight version. Is that okay?

Cermaic backboard. Is that the same as concrete backboard used around showers and bath tubs to seal them? I could screw that to the wood, and then use silcone to seal the corners and such. I can see how this would work, but that'd make the tank really heavy! I think I seen where they have a sealer that you can roll on to concrete board that you use before tiling. Not sure if that stuff would be pet safe though.

I've the vent issue resolved. Just working out the details of sealing the plywood after I construct the basic tank.

[jpstod]

Gorilla Glue will work.

It is polyurethane based glue.

Tips
Wipe the area to be glue lightly with a damp rag before applying the glue. It helps activate the glue and makes it stck better.

Definately use clamps. As the glue expands as it cures. Even with 1 1/2 Inch finish Nails. To much glue can cause it to expand and warp the seams..Just a Visual problem

Ceramic Backer board is not the thick Cement Board. Both Can be Used. But as you stated the Cement Board does get rather Heavy. If you use either one do not seal it. Why, Because you will not get good adhesion with any mortar or adhesive you attempt to adhere with. There is no need to seal it because both are already waterproof.