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DIY Front Opening Aquariums

The Snake Guru

The Snake Guru

Professional "Hooker"
Well after several requests I decided to put this together you guys, I hope you find it of use...and please let me know if you have any other questions...as mentioned before I have used this method on tanks from 5 1/2 gals up to 38 gal....but I'm sure it would work for any. The only draw back to this style is unless you have a heated room, you are limited to only being able to use a UTH for heat....placing basking bulbs on the glass will cause them to crack...so keep this in mind please.

Plextankdoor.jpg


s10.jpg


10galrk.jpg


Front opening aquarium DIY:

Materials List:

¼” Plexi or Lexon (In relative size for whatever tank you decide on)
Quality window screen
2.5” Narrow Non-removable Pin Hinges (2)
Cam Lock or Wing Handle Cam (1)
3/16” x ¼” aluminum Rivits (Fastens Hinges and Electrical Panel)
Electrical Panel cutout
1/8”x1/2” aluminum rivets (used for fastening plexi to tank rim)

Tools:

Jig-saw – for cutting Plexi/Lexon
Rivet Gun
Drill with ¼” or better bit.
Phillips Screwdriver (Cam lock assembly)
Adjustable Wrench (Cam lock assembly)

Steps:

- Cut Plexi/Lexon to fit the inside lip of the size aquarium you intend to use it for.
- Trace hole for vent. Use drill for a starter hole for where to start cutting with the jigsaw. Cut vent hole
- Cut window screen to size and rivet the electrical cutout over the top of the screen into the plexi/lexon.
- Measure 3” off the outer edge of the vent frame and mark. Cut plexi/lexon along this line (This will be the hinge point of the top).
- Install hinges – Drill holes in location for the hinges and rivet to the plexi/lexon.
- Attach hinge point side of the plexi/lexon to the inner frame of the tank rim. I use 4 1/8” rivets, silcone or 2 part epoxy would be another viable option. (I never cared for waiting for things to dry though.
- Measure out and cut the hole for the Cam lock, install cam lock.

At this point you should be able to put the tank on it’s side and go. Alterations first time around for me took about an hour, however once you get in a rhythm I’ve been able to turn out these tanks in about 15min.

Hope this helps, and happy constructing!
~B~

Website for the cam locks if you can't find them at Menard's or Home Depot:
http://www.mcmaster.com/
Just type "Cam Lock" into the search they'll pop up.
 
Those look fabulous, great job!! I would never be able to complete something like that, but I'm jealous!!

p.s. You might want to post this in the "DIY Projects" section of the "Husbandry and Basic Care" forum.
 
Brad, those are beautiful! I've been breeding fish for years, so I have mass amounts of glass aquariums. I was wondering what to do with them...now I know! I think I'll use heat cable vs. UTH, though. I have wire shelves that can hold over a dozen tanks, especially without water! Woot! You rock - Thank you!
 
OMG!! this is EXACTLY what I was I was trying to come up with!! thank you!! you just saved me a ton of trouble!
 
Glad everyone found it helpful!

p.s. You might want to post this in the "DIY Projects" section of the "Husbandry and Basic Care" forum.
Click to expand...

Ahhhh thank you, I wasn't sure about that, seemed pretty safe here, but I will remember it for next time.

Cool, but what's the electrical panel cover for??
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It's basically just a frame to hold the screen for the vent flat against the lexon. If you look on the picture it would be that metal frame in the top right corner of the panel.

~B~
 
Estimated cost depends on wether or not you have to buy the Lexon/Plexi Glass...LOL I didn't so it only cost me about $10.00 and some time. Guessing about $20ish if you had to buy everything? Mabey a little less.

Brad, thanks for posting this. lol to many people asking me about it.
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No problem at all! I actually had it up awhile ago...LOL

~B~
 
The Snake Guru said:
Estimated cost depends on wether or not you have to buy the Lexon/Plexi Glass...LOL I didn't so it only cost me about $10.00 and some time. Guessing about $20ish if you had to buy everything? Mabey a little less.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info! I'm so excited about this... I am going to have to buy the power tools as well but I found them pretty cheap at the Harbor Freight about 45 miles away from me. I figure powertools are more of an investment than an expense so I'm happy with it ^_^.

Now... about the plans to the wooden frame the tanks are on... :noevil:

:rofl:
 
Sorry for the double post... I just thought I'd add that I think I'm going to put a 2-inch plexiglas dam siliconed directly to the tank so when I open it up, then bedding doesn't land all over the floor. Thought I'd mention that in case anyone else wanted to do that as well.
 
Awesome!! I'm planning a rack of these just like above....awesome idea!

Maybe someone will move it to the DIY section...
 
Now... about the plans to the wooden frame the tanks are on...
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LOL....all it's made of is 2x4s and Screws.....that one should be easy to do! LOL

The spacing between the boards is just enough to run the cords and put the under cabinet lights in that tricksterpup posted.

And a bedding dam does work well with these, I made a couple with that on they just aren't in the that particular rack.

~B~
 
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