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DIY cylinder shaped tank?

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20K views 30 replies 19 participants last post by  JoshH  
#1 ·
So i wanted to try to make a small terrarium that is cylider shaped. But i know glass in this shape is very expensive,does anyone know of anything i can use instead of glass? its really only going to be for plants, but i wanted to try to find even something made out of a very strong plastic that i culd use? any ideas? im hoping to make it around the size of a ten gallon, something like in the picture but bigger
 

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#7 ·
One of the other members of NorCalDendro was just talking about putting something like this together too. You could probably use acrylic tubes pretty easily. It's definitely a more forgiving and more workable material than cylindrical glass.

I think you can probably get a larger selection of distributors and manufactuers for acrylic too. I thought the "Bell" shape here was cool, and I'm sure my fiance would agree until I wanted to pay for it and move it into the living room. :)
 
#8 ·
I made one out of a super thin sheet of Makrolon.

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I slacked on the neatness of the top lighting, but the lights are completely movable anywhere around the copper tape.
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Entire thing was under $100...any questions on the build feel free to ask
 
#13 ·
thanks for all the replies guys! I looked into alot of the acrylic tubing but it was pretty pricy too, but i really like what you did rollinkansas. was is sturdy once you had it set up? and if you have any other pics id love to see em :) and the thing isnt really going to house frogs more just for some neat looking plants, but i really only want to make something thats about 18" high by about 12" in diameter haha
 
#15 ·
That tube was about 13" in diameter and about 24" tall. It was extremely sturdy, especially with the metal beam screwed into the back. Mine didnt house frogs either, it was strictly for plants.

The center was a sheet of epiweb heated into a tube shape. There was a pump in the middle that shot water up to bendable plastic tubing that wrapped around the top of the tube, creating a constant drip wall for the moss to start its growth.

Here is a video of when I first set up the drip tube
http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f388/mike1426/?action=view&current=MVI_4454.mp4
 
#22 ·
I purchased a sheet of lexan (see link) and it is as thick as I can get and still get it to roll over into a tube. It cost just a bit over 50 bucks delivered. I want to start on the built in the next week or two and will post pictures when I get started. When rolled up it makes a cylinder about 15" across. I did the math and it works out to about 18 gallons.
Doug


3/32" X 24" X 48" Clear Makrolon Tuffak Lexan Polycarbonate AM
 
#25 ·
Maintenance must be just like on a deep Hex tank - a real PITA.

When the algae creeps and you have to get in there to check on a frog ect.....you'll not be having a happy day.

"Ship in a bottle" time :(

They may look nice, but they really aren't that practical for the hobby.