How many $$?

[FishoPhile J]

hey, just out of curiosity, how much would it cost to build a tank (say 100 gal)? i know that 1/2 inch tempered glass is pretty costly, but i just saw a tank with a cheep-ass plywood stand on sale for $170 (no hood or light). i'm guessing 1/2 that for a good DIY job. what do ya think?
p.s.
--- if you know about how much /sq. ft. the glass is, let me know. oh, and would plexiglass be better?

[ReesaPie]

i heard that plexiglass scratchs really really easily.... but that's just what the homedepot people said so.... *shrugs*
i know some people have built tanks out of plywood and glass fairly cheeply that have turned out nice....

http://www.garf.org/140.gallon.html

This is a site that shows how to build a 140gallon, but it doesn't talk about how much everything cost (or does it?)

let me know how that project goes... i'm looking into building a tank myself...

[thmandan22]

i have heard from many sites (cant remember wich ones) that plecos will scratch the plexi. so i imagine they are very easily scratched., i think your best bet would be going to you LHS (local hardware store) and seeing what the prices are.

[NyassaeMan]

IMO tanks are not worth building unless they are over 100 gallons...maybe even over 110 gallons. To do it right would cost more than getting a good used tank in the standard sizes. Now a 140-225 gallon plywood tank with a glass front would be worth it.....I started a project like that once and almost completed it , but sold it partially complete due to lack of time...

[ferdelance]

How do you build a tank out of plywood and make the plywood waterproof?

[Freddy J]

Two part epoxy paint. It is designed for lining water tanks. www.garf.org for all your info. Do to their DIY linl.