Where to buy glass for fish tank?

[kitten]

This is probably a dumb question... but it's not something I've ever had to look for so I'm not sure where to even look other than a couple of hardward/building stores.

Where do you guys that build your own tanks get the glass?

What glass thickness would you recommend for a 1-5 gallon tank?

Thanks

[jaracas]

for tanks that size check out the yellow pages for 'glass suppliers', prices vary, i think, IIRC, that pre-cut to size in that thickness you will be looking at around $7 per square foot, but you may be lucky and get some off-cut pieces that will suit your needs, you will have to cut them yourselve to size, for a fair bit cheaper.

4mm will be fine, especially with a couple of braces

check out my thread here
http://ovas.ca/bridge/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=5419

[damarech]

depends on the size of tank . A 20 gal would only need 4mm where a100 gal might take an 8mm thickness
So for 5 gal 3or 4 mm would be plenty
Pricing vary by thickness
Let your fingers do the walking, as pricing from store to store vary also.

[jaracas]

yes prices do vary, the reason i said $7 is because that is around the retail of 4mm, although i would always make 5 gallon tanks out of 4mm but depending on the retailer 4mm could be anywhere from 5-7$

if anyone can find 9mm less than $8.50 and 12mm less than $14 per square foot then give me a shout please

[UCGrafix]

What glass thickness would you recommend for a 1-5 gallon tank?
Thanks

For that size tank, I would not even bother buying the glass, just buy the tank at SuperPet for $14.95.

The thickness of the glass to be used to construct a tank, depends on the size of such.
a 33 gal. 36" L X 12" D X 16" H needs at least 1/4" or 6mm thick.
If you decide to make higher, you will need 3/8"
If you go 48" long, do not use anything under 3/8" if not 1/2" glass.
When you enquire on purchasing the glass, the prices will kill you, that is why most people buy pre made tanks.

[kitten]

thanks for the info guys.... I'll have a look around and see what I can find for prices.....

[rockgarden]

In the sixties and seventies, I used to build aquariums for spending money while going to University.  With the current price of glass (high) compared to the price of aquariums in the retail stores (low), I don't even consider building my own aquariums unless I get the glass for free (or close to that) or I want to build a non-standard size for a special purpose.

That having been said, one very good source for used glass is your local hair dresser or specialty retailer.  How so you say.  Well, every time that they change the design of their display area, or move to another location, or go out of business, they usually have glass shelving that they need to dispose of. It is normally 6mm (1/4 ") tempered glass in either 10" or 12" width and normally 2', 3' or 4' long.  Glass might be scratched but you cann usually get at least one piece that is scratch free to use for the front face of your aqquarium.  

The glass used for this shelving is tempered so can't be cut and therefore you will need to have regular glass cut to size for your end panels.

A tank three or four feet long, 10" wide and 10 " deep or 12" wide and 12 " deep makes a nice spawning tank for egg scatterers like the danios. And all from discarded shelving glass.

I presently have three of these long tanks in my fish room and two of them are recycled shelving glass.  The third one I made from salvaged glass from the local auto glass guys.  Whenever you are having a windshield replaced (not often I hope) ask them if they happen to have some salvaged glass from one of their commercial window replacement jobs.  You might be there, like I was, when they had a full pane of 6 mm available. Being a customer already they were happy to cut it and give it to me for the cost of the labour only. Used glass is basically just garbage for them.

Works great! It is now hung on my wall as my 40 gallon reef.


Ron

[Mettle]

I think that is what it comes down to. Wanting something in a custom size.

Good advice there Ron. I'm going to look into your suggestions.

[Sailfin]

Interesting info!         Is there a petshop that sells the plastic rims for the top and bottom for aquariums?

[rockgarden]

If you find a broken tank in your neighborhood, pick it up.  Use the top rim on the top of your tank and leave the bottom rimless.  Then use the bottom rim from the broken tank on the top of  the second tank that you build. Works fine if you don't mind the look and that way you have two tanks that take the standard canopies and have a rim around the top but no rim on the bottom.  Not show tank but great for the fish room.

Caveat: The way that the Hagen tanks (and most others) are built now, the bottom of the tank does not touch the table top but rather sits on the rim with the side pieces extending down.  This method of constrction is quite difficult for the DIY to duplicate.  Therefore I don't try.  When I build my tanks I build the sides on top of the base piece and therefore the base is flat on the table top or stand. Works well for up to about the 30 to 40 gallon size with a 1/4 " glass thickness for the base piece as long as the base is level and well supported and you make sure there is no gravel underneath the tank when you decide to fill it. I've done the 75 gallon size this way as well but that's where the fear factor enters the picture and I add braces, etc. and wait for the cracking sound in the night. I definitely recommend thicker glass above about 30 gallon - lets you sleep better at night.