Large tank question

[Sarah D.]

We are thinking about putting a large tank in the house, it will be in a wall that will be all bookshelves. So tank with cabinet below, bookshelves above.

My question is, we have about 78 inches of wall length to play with. Glass or acrylic? And, if we want to construct it ourselves, what thickness of each?

Does anyone have a good link to a calculator for such a thing?

Thanks!

 

[MCary]

Acrylic is lighter, stronger, clearer, and once the thickness goes over 1/2" become comparable in price. But it scratches and fogs. It is harder to work with by some amatuers without some practice.

Glass is heavy, thicker glass is less clear because of iron content unless you use low iron glass. It is easier to work with if you have precut panels. All you need to do is silicone and brace.

Now the bad news. It is very difficult to find materials cheap enough to construct a tank for less that you can by one already made by a professional. And the tank ends up being one of the cheapest things in the system and the saving would do little in your overall budget.

Mike

 

[Sarah D.]

Thanks Mike - looks like it might be time to look around for a used tank.

 

[DesertBandits]

if you're worried about the cost of the tank maybe you ought to rethink having a reef tank. I would think a properly set up 75gal system would cost about 1000$. The tank is by far the cheapest investment in the whole scheme of things.

 

[justinm0424]

1000? i would say more like 2000 without fish and inverts

 

[easttn]

Here is a good guideline.

 

[rsxs1212]

i doubt 2000 without fish and inverts i have mine set up nicely and it was about 1300 with no LR or sand included