DIY Glass Nano

[kevreh]

Anyone built their own glass tank, rimless?

 

Been gleaming insight from discussions on reefcentral. Here's what I learned;

 

• Use a professional grade Silicone, like the RTV100 line. Make sure its FDA approved.
  
• Use online calculators to figure the right glass thickness.
  
• Best to have the glass cut pro. and edges straight buffed.
  
• For a smaller tank, use 1/16" seam.
  
• Tape everywhere you don't want silicone
  
• Use a tool to treat the inside corners
  
• Let silicone that oozes on the outside dry, then cut off with a razor
  
• Use clamps and angle brackets to hold everything in place while drying
  
• Let everything dry at least a week before test filling
  

 

 

Anything else? Thanks!

[YHSublime]

I was just wondering this the other day, are you thinking about doing one?

[Origami]

I've heard that some custom tank builders use these little clear silicone "bumps" (that you can put on the bottom of things to keep them from scratching furniture) to help maintain the spacing between the panels. Because they're clear and embedded deeply in the joint, they're said to be virtually impossible to see. Never built a tank like that before, but just passing along something that I've heard others do when building glass tanks.

[kevreh]

Yeah, I heard about those spacers too. Only problem is that those sections aren't "bonded", and are structuraly weak. Was thinking of using 90° clamps to hold the panes in place.

 

Planning a rimless nano, about 15" cubed. I have the silicone mentioned above, apparently using stuff from Home Depot is not advised.