Anyone BUILD an aquarium?

Moozillion

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Although I've only had my little mud turtle about 6 weeks, I'm already looking ahead to having him in a bigger aquarium. He's currently in a 20 gal long, and I'd like to have a 40 gal long (if there is such a thing). Finances, however, are a consideration. I've looked Online at tutorials on making aquariums, and they all make it look ridiculously easy. I am aware that the bigger expense is probably the canister filter, but I've looked at tutorials on DIY canister filters too, and that seems doable...?
Has anyone here MADE their own glass or acrylic aquarium? or canister filter?
Thanks! :p
 

Kapidolo Farms

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Well now, you'll be sure to get many more answers, but have you considered getting these items for free. Craig's list (flake central in many ways) has a place for people who give things away for free. I have found and given a few things away.

As for building an aquarium. The costs of the materials are about equal to buying one on sale at a big box store, those $1.00 gallon sales, or even back to land-o-flakes Craig's list can do better. Canister filters are where you can do much better DIY than a purchase especially if you have an overflow style filter where the pump does not have to achieve much head. That is the water flows out of the aquarium do to gravity and the pump only has to raise the water about an inch or two. The head is the difference between the top level of water in the aquarium and the top level of water in the filter. That way a relatively inexpensive pump can be used. The pump is the major expense with a DIY filter.

This can work in the other direction as well where the aquarium surface is only a few inches lower than the filter out port, and the return water is gravity fed back to the aquarium.

I big key to filtering turtle water is water movement in the tank, and that can be achieved with an aquarium air pump. That can actually drive some of the water flow further reducing the size water pump you need.

I have made my own aquariums with viewing from only one side., the other sides were plywood coated with fiberglass. It works well, but looks sorta funky.
 

Yvonne G

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We just had a thread the other day on a home made aquarium. I'll try to find it, but if I can't, I'm sure @jaizei can. He's the best at finding threads!
 

Moozillion

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Well now, you'll be sure to get many more answers, but have you considered getting these items for free. Craig's list (flake central in many ways) has a place for people who give things away for free. I have found and given a few things away.

As for building an aquarium. The costs of the materials are about equal to buying one on sale at a big box store, those $1.00 gallon sales, or even back to land-o-flakes Craig's list can do better. Canister filters are where you can do much better DIY than a purchase especially if you have an overflow style filter where the pump does not have to achieve much head. That is the water flows out of the aquarium do to gravity and the pump only has to raise the water about an inch or two. The head is the difference between the top level of water in the aquarium and the top level of water in the filter. That way a relatively inexpensive pump can be used. The pump is the major expense with a DIY filter.

This can work in the other direction as well where the aquarium surface is only a few inches lower than the filter out port, and the return water is gravity fed back to the aquarium.

I big key to filtering turtle water is water movement in the tank, and that can be achieved with an aquarium air pump. That can actually drive some of the water flow further reducing the size water pump you need.

I have made my own aquariums with viewing from only one side., the other sides were plywood coated with fiberglass. It works well, but looks sorta funky.
Thanks SO much Will: That makes lots of sense!!! :)
 

Markw84

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I've built glass, acrylic and plywood aquariums for my turtles. Unless you are going for a very large tank, it is cheaper and safer to buy one. If you want I can go through the plus and minuses of each type, and how to build... but a 40 gal, and even 55 gal is a very common size and readily available on craigslist much cheaper than you could build one. A new tank only 55 gal at my local Pet Club is about $129.
 

Moozillion

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I've built glass, acrylic and plywood aquariums for my turtles. Unless you are going for a very large tank, it is cheaper and safer to buy one. If you want I can go through the plus and minuses of each type, and how to build... but a 40 gal, and even 55 gal is a very common size and readily available on craigslist much cheaper than you could build one. A new tank only 55 gal at my local Pet Club is about $129.
Thanks!
I will take your advice and buy one. Jacques isn't full grown yet, and since he's a mud turtle, the 20 gal will be just fine for now. I can wait until later next year- will give us time to save up! :)
 

Markw84

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Yes, the 20 gal is fine for the first year for a Mud or two. Let me know when you're ready and we can discuss filters. I've done a LOT with them - building my own and trying several on the market.
 

Moozillion

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Yes, the 20 gal is fine for the first year for a Mud or two. Let me know when you're ready and we can discuss filters. I've done a LOT with them - building my own and trying several on the market.
COOL!!!! THANK you!!! :)
 

Alex Z

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Definately your best bet is cl..I just got for free a 72g bow front with stand for my freshwater fishes. I just needed to arrive after 9pm. People have weird demands about these things but it can work for you and your lil muddy!!
 

Moozillion

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Definately your best bet is cl..I just got for free a 72g bow front with stand for my freshwater fishes. I just needed to arrive after 9pm. People have weird demands about these things but it can work for you and your lil muddy!!
WOW!!!! You scored BIG!!! :)
 

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