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RE: 2 1/2 Gal. Tanks

Hi George,
I too made 2 1/2G tanks many years ago just as you are describing.  I did
one thing different than what you describe which I think helps makes the
tank a little stronger.  See if I can explain it:  I pre-assembled the tank
[the glass panels] with masking tape making sure that each vertical panel
[the front and sides of the tank] had two pieces of tape, evenly spaced,
that attached it to the bottom panel.  These pieces of tape will act as
guide hinges in final assembly.  I then pre-cut 4 pieces of 2" long tape for
later use when the tank gets siliconed together.  I then laid the vertical
panels back down on the table, but still attached by the pieces of tape to
the bottom panel.  Now you silicon all seams, both vertical and horizontal
while the whole assembly is flat on the table.  Now carefully lift up a
front and side panel together and tape on the outside corner near the top
for stability.  Repeat for the other front and side panel and tape the
outside corner.  Apply a piece of tape to the remaining [so far you have
only taped 2 corners] outside corners for stability while curing.  You can
now smooth the silicon that flows out of the assembled seams with you
finger.
The advantage here is that silicon is in between all the glass seams.  Glass
does not set on glass, but rather a cushion of silicon.  This acts as a
great shock absorber through the years when you need to move to clean one of
these tanks.  I think it also helps avoid leaks.  I have found this method
to involve very little extra time.  It probably might be overkill for a 2
1/2G, but necessary for anything bigger.  A nice finishing touch, if you
have too much time on your hands, is to miter cut some plastic quarter
rounds from the lumber company for the base around the tank bottom and some
plastic panel edging to sit on the glass edges at the top of the tank.
Gives the whole thing a nice "store bought" look.  You will now have so much
time invested in the tank that you will want to will it to your
grandchildren. 
Thanks,
mike stoecker


 

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	George &melanie Caruso [SMTP:caraway at erienet_net]
> Sent:	Wednesday, April 04, 2001 5:55 PM
> To:	KillieTalk at aka_org
> Subject:	2 1/2 Gal. Tanks
> 
> I did not see anyone say they make their own 2 1/2 gal tanks. I make a
> tank that is 7" wide x 8" high and 10' long. I use double strength glass
> (1/8") that I have cut at the local glass store. It costs me $2.86 a
> tank. I hold the tank together with masking tape and run a bead of dow
> corning sealer on the inside of all the joints, then I run my finger
> along the joints to smooth out the sealer. After the sealer drys
> overnight I remove the tape and sand all the edges with a medium emery
> paper. It makes a great little tank and is pretty easy to do.
>     George
> 
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