Tank Question

[Deku]

thank you all...not really concerned with the divided look on the outside just as long as the little guy is a happy frog I did think about the question from John more and I realized he was right it would 0be hard to reach to the bottom to clean, but maybe if I popped the side glass out and integrated a hinge of some sort for a swing open side at the top to be able to clean? I may try it later down the road, but it seems it would be better just to buy one for now then maybe experiment with making or combining tanks . little gray will have to do in what he has for now.

Well good luck on whatever you choose to do. Just remember to have fun doing it!

[UncleChester]

I'm positive I've seen someone attach two tanks together like you've described, but I can't seem to find the link now. The bottom glass and trim from one tank was removed, and was then siliconed onto the top trim of the other tank. This wouldn't be safe for water, but worked for a terrarium.

It's probably cheaper/easier to keep an eye out on Craigslist as already mentioned, also garage sales and flea markets. A bonus for you is the tank doesn't need to be watertight (assuming no false bottom or water feature), so keep an eye out for 'as is' tanks. In any case, you can also re-silicone a leaky tank and it's less of a disaster if this goes wrong for a terrarium than an aquarium, so you can be bolder than a fish person.

You could also extend the height of your 10 gallon with a wooden/pvc pipe/other frame and screen mesh instead of another tank.

Or you can turn the tank on it's side if height is your primary concern (no space increase this way). Lots of info on the web on these conversions, as well as some ready to use kits. Though dart frog specific, here's a fine example: http://www.frogforum.net/vivarium-te...struction.html

Its more of the black top and bottom borders. You know the thing made out of plastic. Thats one thing that keeps the tank together.

From what I've read while researching how to build my own tall tanks, if the plastic trim is holding your tank together, you're in trouble. Silicone on it's own does the job. As I understand it, the trim will be for looks, protection from bumps on the corners/edges, even dispersion of the weight to the edges of the sides of the tank, and a place to rest the lid.

[froggiez]

thank you...hubby was asking about building one with mesh and wood too, may try that out to add hight to the tank

[Deku]

I'm positive I've seen someone attach two tanks together like you've described, but I can't seem to find the link now. The bottom glass and trim from one tank was removed, and was then siliconed onto the top trim of the other tank. This wouldn't be safe for water, but worked for a terrarium.

It's probably cheaper/easier to keep an eye out on Craigslist as already mentioned, also garage sales and flea markets. A bonus for you is the tank doesn't need to be watertight (assuming no false bottom or water feature), so keep an eye out for 'as is' tanks. In any case, you can also re-silicone a leaky tank and it's less of a disaster if this goes wrong for a terrarium than an aquarium, so you can be bolder than a fish person.

You could also extend the height of your 10 gallon with a wooden/pvc pipe/other frame and screen mesh instead of another tank.

Or you can turn the tank on it's side if height is your primary concern (no space increase this way). Lots of info on the web on these conversions, as well as some ready to use kits. Though dart frog specific, here's a fine example: http://www.frogforum.net/vivarium-te...struction.html




From what I've read while researching how to build my own tall tanks, if the plastic trim is holding your tank together, you're in trouble. Silicone on it's own does the job. As I understand it, the trim will be for looks, protection from bumps on the corners/edges, even dispersion of the weight to the edges of the sides of the tank, and a place to rest the lid.

Hm I never really knew that. Thanks. another tidbit I learn! Also I think the rim is a good use when they are glueing the tank together to aid it in support for the 24 hours. Any thoughts on that?

[Rat The Unloved]

My suggestion was to leave the tanks separate tanks, just stacked (bottom of one resting on top of another). Cutting a hole in the bottom glass of one would allow the frogs to pass between when they're stacked without worrying about the structure/stability. Silicone and spare glass/trim/anything could be used to make a rim around the hole, permitting the upper aquarium to have substrate as well.

A regular lid could be used on the top one, and the entire "top assembly" could be lifted off for cleaning of the lower tank.

[UncleChester]

Hm I never really knew that. Thanks. another tidbit I learn! Also I think the rim is a good use when they are glueing the tank together to aid it in support for the 24 hours. Any thoughts on that?

Duct tape was the common suggestion and is what I've uses, 4 small pieces, one on each edge. I'm not sure what the 'pro' tank builders do.

[Deku]

Duct tape was the common suggestion and is what I've uses, 4 small pieces, one on each edge. I'm not sure what the 'pro' tank builders do.

I thought it was mainly used to keep the tank from looking deformed. A deformed tank is pretty much an unstable tank. Currently Iam very interested in architect and stuff of the sort. But since my main interest lies on nature and the hobby of herp and fish keeping then I took on to tank designing. I designed some of my friends tank.
Not by structure of course but by what could be on the inside and you know do simple tasks like making a pool for reptiles or amphibians where you can still have land and it wont mix. But the water from the soil pours down onto the tank for later to be reused. :P I used mesh to keep the soil from the gravel or hydroballs and I did these trays using rubbermaids with holes poked on the bottom for drainage. I made a wall for the water area but made little holes on the very bottom for drainage and in between I did this part were there was a filter. It was made to fit a whisper filter. So the frogs or toads or whatever he wanted in there wouldnt drown because of the suction. It actually worked and is running smoothly. It was a good thing because reptiles and amphibians like to make their business on their water dishes. So I thought if the animal is compatable with a palidrium then it should work.

So Iam figuring you can do stuff like that?

I saw a website that makes custom tanks. They are expensive as heck. But they are nice! You can get terrariums which the glass is less thick and they can also put in this type of rock in the glass that makes it look like there is no glass in there at all. It costs a boat load of money. But I heard its worth it if you want something thats fancy looking and if you're only getting one. :P Ived seen ones made for turtles where they already have a built in land area so you dont need a dock(which is not appropriate) and you can even make it a land area to put in some earth. I think it could be used for some frogs like fire bellied toads, semi-aquatic anurans like bullfrogs, green frogs, pickerel frogs. You know the ones that are ussually by a body of water. They also make any tank to your liking.

Just thought itd put that out there since this is a topic about fishtanks(terrariums). I definitely know the name of the site so I can show you guys if you want to see. Personally I would like one but I cant afford one. Oh shouldnt he put something in the middle where the half tanks meet so its more stable? Iam a bit curious about that.

[CrazyAirborne]

Deku needs to shorten his thinking process when he writes things...