Tank build questions

[punkroc701]

So I am looking to build a larger tank. I was in the process of curing a 5 gallon but seems since I am new to salt water a reef tanks no one thinks I can do it. Instead no one is willing to try and help me make it work, but shoot the idea down. So I am on here looking for some DIY people to help me out with a tank build. I am looking to build the tank from wood and either acrylic or glass (suggestions on which is better). My tank is going into a corner and will not have a curve but 5 walls. Think superman emblem with the bottom point being the back corner. Using a 2ft square for the base and build up from there. 18 inches tall and looks like 6mm (.25 in) thickness on glass (acrylic). I tried 2 already one mainly wood and did not seal well enough before leak checking. 2nd didn't use enough silicone and while a leak test failed I ended up breacking it while trying to fix it. Taking a break now to get more supplies for this larger tank (as well as finish a couple other projects in the works) so trying to get as many other inputs and suggestions on DIY aquarium projects as I can between now and then. As always thanks for the help

[Parrothead]

First off, all we did was advise against a novice trying to keep a very, very, very small system, we did offer all sorts of help, I am sorry you feel that no one offered any help or advice as all who responded did in fact offer advice, and their point of views. Sorry you didn't hear what you wanted to hear.

[blennydude]

The reason we strongly advised you against the 5 gal was for the right reason. In this hobbie there is a strong effort by many to breed, mariculture species to fill our tanks with, unfortunatley almost everything is still plucked out of it's natural environment put in a small bag and flown thousands of miles away for our enjoyment. The survival rate to get from the ocean to your aquarium is nothing to brag about and the journey is very hard on an animal. There is an unwritten rule in this hobbie that when you decide to take the responsibility to care for these beautiful creatures that you provide a housing that they are going to be able to live their life with sufficient needs, conditions, and stay in good health. Not to sentence them to a slow deteriorating death.
Not just yourself, but when any person posts on this site that they are going to build a setup not suitalble for success you will see members come out of the woodwork to stop them. This applies to your case and not that people were not willing to help you, but they were not willing to help you make tank they know is not fair to anything to be forced to live in.

[ToddTT]

I've been in the hobby 15 years and owning a 5 gallon tank would cause me constant worries.

It's just too unstable.

I think you mentioned getting a larger tank, in which case the 5 gallon could make for a neat refugium.

Good luck.

[punkroc701]

Parrothead,

Not to have offended you in any way, but when I get a few people, your self included, making suggestinons to help as you see I am looking to go with a larger tank and making suggestions to help I appreciate. What I was saying was the other few who made no effort to help in any way and just kept saying your gonna fail with out making any suggestions to help keep what I have going until I get the larger one is what was bothering me. I actually had one person simply say 5 Gallon + Newbie = fail. That IMO is not helping but saying quit while your ahead. You and a few others have made suggestions to get this thing going (not as a full reef tank, but just to get it going to keep the life in it). And I really appreciate the input and help.

Blendydude,

I would like to say thank you for going into detail about the hobbie in stead of going into it as if you were just talking me out of it without any input. I am however going to add a CUC to the 5 gallon to tide it over until my lager tank is together.

Todd,

I have seen 3 gallon tanks sold as reef tanks and came close to buying one but I ended up going with a 5 gallon. I am looking to use the 5 gallon as either a water change tank, a frag tank (with some help), I considered using it as part of a refuge, but I don't think it's big enough for filter, skimmer, rock and return pump.

Thanks you guys for all the input and help.

[punkroc701]

Any inputs on the DIY tank? I was looking at about a 36 gallon but debating on something bigger, I mean since I am building it I might as well go some what bigger.

I just got a CUC, 4 Hermits, 1 Emerald, and discovered I have had a Mini Bristol this whole time. I was excited to see it. Anyway not looking to add more to the tank as everything will go to the bigger tank when it is finished.

And honestly you guys I in no way ment to offend or seem ingreatful to your suggestions on going larger, I however was agrivated with those who did not give suggestions other then give up now.

I do have questions on DIY projects to add to the new tank build but only if I can get some input or suggestions.

Thanks to all who gave input and knowledge to my learning process and I look forward to hearing from you all.

[ToddTT]

Are you planning to build your own display tank? That's pretty ambitious... I'd be afraid of it leaking or exploding!

This link might lead to some useful posts from the past:

site:reefland.com build tank - Google Search

I prefer to scratch my DIY itch by simply messing around with my sump and plumbing.

And keep in mind that sometimes DIY does not mean less $$$... especially if you make mistakes.

Good luck!

[punkroc701]

Todd,

I have tried to build 2 already. One I didn't seal right and it leaked bad on the leak test. The second I didn't have enough silicone on and when it tried to seal it up I wasn't thinking used a clamp and the next thing I know I am looking at pieces. I am also doing a DIY sump set up. That seems to be the easiest part so far. LOL. Thanks for the link I will check it out soon and see what tips I can use in it.

[blennydude]

Are you feeding your crabs?

[punkroc701]

I was told they would feed off of the stuff already growing in my tank and there was no need to feed them right now. I have noticed other stuff in my tank since adding the crabs though. I have things running back and forth real fast (like a bug) but can't see well enough to tell what it looks like, I have Bristle Worms (I believe), and I have Mini Star (brittle star I think). I never noticed any of this before. I am starting the build on my larger tank now. Want to do a Superman shape (for a corner tank setup) got the base cut and working on lining the bottom before doing the trim/bracing.