Help building custom acrylic aquarium

Aquabox · 02/12/2010, 06:27 PM

So I am totally new to the world of shallow acrylic aquariums. I am curious if I can build my own small acrylic tank to house a pair of clowns and a RBTA.

Here are my ideas:
Dimensions: 24" x 12" x 10" (not sure on thickness and it probably needs a brace)
Lighting: 24" 2x T5HO (will 2 tubes be ok for a nem? or do I need 4?)
MP10 for circulation
DSB and a couple pieces of LR

Filtration: Not sure if I should go with the Aquatic Life mini skimmer, or just a Aqua Clear filter with media.... or none and just do 10% WC weekly.

So it all sounds great in my head, but how would I build this? Can I just go to Home Depot and have them cut my pieces of acrylic?

What should be my first step assembling this tank?

Thanks guys, sorry for the noobish questions!

Octoshark · 02/12/2010, 07:09 PM

If nobody answers then you should try the DIY forum

chino402 · 02/13/2010, 07:26 AM

i would go to a local store that sell acrylic... and go for bigger sheet for cheaper... they would cut it for you for an extra 10 dollars... and make sure you let them know that you gonna build a fish tank so they know excactly how to it should be cut... and go look up some youtube video in how to glue acrylic.

02/12/2010, 06:27 PM	#1
Aquabox Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 42	Help building custom acrylic aquarium So I am totally new to the world of shallow acrylic aquariums. I am curious if I can build my own small acrylic tank to house a pair of clowns and a RBTA. Here are my ideas: Dimensions: 24" x 12" x 10" (not sure on thickness and it probably needs a brace) Lighting: 24" 2x T5HO (will 2 tubes be ok for a nem? or do I need 4?) MP10 for circulation DSB and a couple pieces of LR Filtration: Not sure if I should go with the Aquatic Life mini skimmer, or just a Aqua Clear filter with media.... or none and just do 10% WC weekly. So it all sounds great in my head, but how would I build this? Can I just go to Home Depot and have them cut my pieces of acrylic? What should be my first step assembling this tank? Thanks guys, sorry for the noobish questions!

02/12/2010, 07:09 PM	#2
Octoshark Marine Biology Student Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: California Posts: 1,366	If nobody answers then you should try the DIY forum __________________ "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."

02/13/2010, 07:26 AM	#3
chino402 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 54	i would go to a local store that sell acrylic... and go for bigger sheet for cheaper... they would cut it for you for an extra 10 dollars... and make sure you let them know that you gonna build a fish tank so they know excactly how to it should be cut... and go look up some youtube video in how to glue acrylic. __________________ who cares it's EXPENSIVE, it makes me HAPPY...