Building a Vertical Tank
Supplies:
1. Two pieces of glass or acrylic
2. 100% silicon for glass or Weld-on #16 for acrylic
3. Hinge
4. Latch
5. Pull
Procedure
| Task | Tips | Pictures |
| Measure the inside rim of the tank. | You want the measurement as close as possible to avoid gaps. Measure to the nearest 1/4 inch | |
| Buy 2 sheets of 1/4 inch thick glass from your local glass shop. One sheet will be for the bottom of the door (I use 6″ for the bottom piece) | Shop around for glass. The price of glass can vary greatly from shop to shop. | |
| Place the tank in its desired final position and silicon where the black rim meets the tank at the bottom of the tank. | ||
| Place the tank into it normal horizontal position, silicon the smaller piece of glass into the rim of the tank | Use plenty of silicon to make sure there are no leaks. | |
| Then place the other sheet of glass into the frame. | ||
| Silicon the hinge, latch, and pull in their desire locations. | A 10 gallon is only 10″ wide, so use a 6″ hinge for a 10 gallon tank. I have had as big as a 20″ X 21″ door on a 12″ hinge. |  |
| Let the silicon dry for at least 48 hours. |
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Solution(s) |
| Hinge/pull/latch is coming loose | Silicon is not a glue, but a sealer. It is meant to be used in open air as opposed to a glue. Allow 48+ hours to dry to get the best results. |
| Tank will not stay shut | Place a twist tie (from a loaf of bread) into the hole in the latch |
| Bottom piece of glass is leaking | Add more silicon to the seal. |
Could you please do a video on constructing a vertical vivariium? for the ones of us who learn by watching….. Thanks,, debbie k.