This seems like a crazy idea, but would it work?

[Goldmoon]

I just had (what I thought was) a crazy idea this morning about making a homemade tank. The idea was to make a tank out of the glass from a picture frame. I thought it was crazy until I googled it and I found out that some people have actually tried this.
The only thing I would be concerned about would be the glass being too thin and breaking, but do you think that it could work? Would it be worth it to give the idea a try?

Ps. I would probably only make it 1-2 gallons max so that the pressure doesn’t force the glass to break. I don’t plan on adding any fish (maybe just a planted tank with a shrimp or something)

 

[kallililly1973]

I think picture frame glass would crack way to easy. Even being on the small side even a tiny tap against it could cause it to fail. I'd look into a bit stronger glass.
Edit: Here is a nice step by step.
How to Make an Aquarium

 

[Vinh]

I just had (what I thought was) a crazy idea this morning about making a homemade tank. The idea was to make a tank out of the glass from a picture frame. I thought it was crazy until I googled it and I found out that some people have actually tried this.
The only thing I would be concerned about would be the glass being too thin and breaking, but do you think that it could work? Would it be worth it to give the idea a try?

Ps. I would probably only make it 1-2 gallons max so that the pressure doesn’t force the glass to break. I don’t plan on adding any fish (maybe just a planted tank with a shrimp or something)

I like crazy thing that make me stop by at your thread.Welcome to crazy works which more crazy every day by mad scientific.
The frame glasses are too thin.It is about 1 mm thick or less.It it not a good idea to make a tank with them.So fragile and easy to brake later on
The fun is most important thing that you enjoy what you are interesting on.IF that frame tank interesting you so much ,then I think it worth a try even thought it will be brake later..( tell me which is not brake by time.Earth might will be dust one day and your remain is not stay solid for ever.
Did you ever think: made a tank with heavy duty styrofoam box with one or two side is 3 mm glasses.?it look cool too.Do the search over you tube.I think this might be solid more than glass frame..

 

[jjohnwm]

Window frame glass is just as useful for aquarium building as any other non-tempered glass. You must, of course, consider the glass thickness and size the aquarium accordingly.

In this case, I think you would be limited to an aquarium about the size of a pack of cigarettes.

 

[Goldmoon]

I Made A Rimless Fish Tank Using Picture Frame Glass. - Freshwater Aquarium Builds 336749

I just found this post while looking to see just how many people actually tried this idea. I find it very impressive that they got it to hold 5 gallons of water without breaking

 

[kallililly1973]

I Made A Rimless Fish Tank Using Picture Frame Glass. - Freshwater Aquarium Builds 336749

I just found this post while looking to see just how many people actually tried this idea. I find it very impressive that they got it to hold 5 gallons of water without breaking

I'm definitely not saying it can't be done but for the longevity of a DIY tank I would go with the appropriate material. I hope you do move forward with this project and can show your process along the way Good Luck!!

 

[PascalKrypt]

I Made A Rimless Fish Tank Using Picture Frame Glass. - Freshwater Aquarium Builds 336749

I just found this post while looking to see just how many people actually tried this idea. I find it very impressive that they got it to hold 5 gallons of water without breaking

You should be careful with those kinds of threads just as with instragram posts or youtube videos of these kinds of ideas.
Sure it works when people build it, but how does it look after a week/month/year?

This month a user on here posted about a disaster that happened a year (I believe) after they build a DIY background for their tank. Their fish got stuck in it, died and rotted, and the material started breaking down and leaking toxins. The entire tank had to be torn down to remove and clean it.
And they were actually honest and mindful enough to post that kind of update, most people don't.

Not saying never try new ideas, but if you can, try to contact the poster/creator and see if they have an update on how the thing built holds up.

 

[jjohnwm]

A search on Google will provide you with a chart that shows you the required glass thickness for various sizes of aquarium, based on depth. Those are, of course, minimums; it's always a good idea to increase thickness for more of a safety margin.

The chart doesn't take into account overall fragility of glass. Most picture frames come with glass so thin that it is in danger of shattering from harsh language or fruit fly impacts. Making a 5 gallon tank out of this stuff will produce...a 5 gallon tank! Very limited use as an aquarium, since not much can live in such a tiny volume of water, but if you break it (which would be very easy to do if you use such thin glass...) then suddenly 5 gallons of water seems like a biblical flood as it soaks into your carpet and ruins your hardwood floor.

This is a case of "Maybe you can...but should you?"

 

[Goldmoon]

I'm definitely not saying it can't be done but for the longevity of a DIY tank I would go with the appropriate material. I hope you do move forward with this project and can show your process along the way Good Luck!!

Thanks! I read the link you included and it was very informative. It seems that the glass from a picture frame is too thin, but knowing that, I’ll probably try to make a minI tank (less than one gallon) out of it just for kicks. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. Thank you again for your input!

 

[kallililly1973]

Thanks! I read the link you included and it was very informative. It seems that the glass from a picture frame is too thin, but knowing that, I’ll probably try to make a minI tank (less than one gallon) out of it just for kicks. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. Thank you again for your input!

Definitely hope it works for you just be careful with the thin glass and I would even suggest wearing some gloves when handling just for safety sake. And of course show it off when you do get it made

 

[Momgoose56]

I Made A Rimless Fish Tank Using Picture Frame Glass. - Freshwater Aquarium Builds 336749

I just found this post while looking to see just how many people actually tried this idea. I find it very impressive that they got it to hold 5 gallons of water without breaking

I'm sure the first time it is tapped with a soup spoon, it will break...

 

[jjohnwm]

Thanks! I read the link you included and it was very informative. It seems that the glass from a picture frame is too thin, but knowing that, I’ll probably try to make a minI tank (less than one gallon) out of it just for kicks. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. Thank you again for your input!

That sounds like a good plan, and a good reason for doing it. You will also be learning the art of silicone-and-glass, which takes practice. If you can build a one-gallon tank out of picture frame glass, then using thicker glass to make bigger tanks will be child's play.