Heya all, I am new to this forum but i have keep tropicals for about 5-6 yrs and started getting into keeping seahorses in the last year or so. I have decided to build my own customized tank, (which i think will show off the seahorses and their living environment better) due to the fact that the local pet store want to charge me nearly $800 for a 1200mm lenght, 450mm width and 500mm high tank, which i think is insane. :evil:

I know that i need 10mm thick glass and i know what type of silcone to use, but thats about where my knowledge end's. I have been trying to find a site on how to build my own tank (ie. construction techniques) but so far i have been unable to find a helpful site.

So any help or tips you want to throw in this direction would be great.

Hi Fallen,

Great to have you join the forum.

i have keep tropicals for about 5-6 yrs

So where have you been all this time, you've been missing all the fun

Back to your project

Few links here that might help you, plus a Glass Thickness Calc.

http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/viewtopic.php?t=82

http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/viewtopic.php?t=83

http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/viewtopic.php?t=115

http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/viewtopic.php?t=974

http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/viewtopic.php?t=776

If you need more details, post here or email me.

You could try Peter at Port Nicholson Glass. He supplies alot of pet shops and is very reasonable.

Best of luck with the building. Have you seen the sea horses in the Picton Aquarium???

Wow, thank's jo and peg's. I have been hunting on-line for about a week or 2 for design idea's and in one nite i find everything that i need :lol:

NO i haven't been to FNZAS site before this, i don't know how i missed it. I used to belong to the Wanganui chapter of FNZAS, while studing there but now, I live in Wellington and have just discovered you guy's have one in Upper Hutt, so might check it out. I will post how how my tank turn's out and throw my 2 cents worth about what i have learn't about seahorses.

what type of sea horses do u keep the nz ones ??

or tropical ones??

Isn't there a Wellington club? I'd have thought they'd be part of the FNZAS too.

Hi Fallen!

The Wellington club isn't affilliated to the FNZAS, there is an Upper Hutt Club and also the Kapi Mana Club which I belong to. You are most welcome to come along, our next meeting is this coming Wednesday (let me know if you want more details).

Also my partner and I have just built our own tank from scratch a couple of months ago, it is made from 10mm glass and is 1600mm x 650mm x 700mm (approx 700 litres) and is now housing some awesome marine fish and invertebrates.

We're not sure if we would build our own tank again, probably not! But Jo's suggestion about contacting Peter at Port Nicholson Glass is a good one, he is really helpful and will make a tank for a reasonable price. We are looking at building a bigger freshwater tank soon, probably another 5 footer, and we are going to get Peter to build it for us (less stress!)

Good luck with your tank

Certainly get in contact with Peter at Port Nicholson Glass. He made up two tanks for me, with a pretty fair charge. I think I worked it out at around $1 per litre of water for 10mm glass. That a fair saving from your pet shop. :lol: