Tiling a tank?

[Mettle]

I've been thinking about this and was wondering if it was possible and whether it would be better to use a standard tank or a homemade, plywood tank?

The concept is to find really amazing floor tiles and actually tile the inside of the tank. on all sides, including the bottom, except for the desired 'front'. The ultimate goal would be then to have it in the wall, I suppose, and have it house something really interesting like an exceptionally large school of neon tetras, for instance. Leave it bare bottomed. Etc.

My initial thoughts are that there may be some issues with toxicity of the products used. But could that be overcome?

And then there is laying tile against glass. Is that even possible?

Like I said - mostly musings going on here - but thought I'd get some feedback from OVAS members as people here seem to try anything and everything.

I think this project would provide a very custom, sleek look to a show tank that is meant to be a true accent in a house/condo with a more 'modern' feel.

Cheers.

[Brine]

I really like the idea. You could be right about toxicity issues so you'd have to be careful. My initial thought is that it may be easier/better to tile some other material and just put that in the tank. Essentially tiling a backdrop. This way the tiles can be set more easily and effectively and if you ever decide to change it you can take the backdrop out instead of having to remove tiles from glass.

[Mettle]

I was thinking of that as well, Brine. To create "sheets" as it were and install them in place. This would also deal with the issue of tiling onto glass. And allow for better over all craftsmanship. But what material to pick?

[RossW]

Xenon has used "I am using 3/4" HDPE (High-density polyethylene) starboard also known as cutting board material"

I think that would work well assuming it would not warp under the load of the tiles on the back wall.

http://ovas.ca/index.php?topic=25876.msg174089#msg174089

[Mettle]

Thanks Ross! I was actually thinking about that but couldn't remember for the life of me WHERE I had actually seen it! 

I think I might try this during the summer on something like a 20 gallon tank and see how it goes.

I just have these visions of a totally tiled, in-wall tank that looks almost like a seemless extension of the room with a giant school of neon tetras in it. Think 5 or 6 foot long tank and a really dark tile, possibly a navy granite finish to it, minimally lit just for effect... I think it would be stunning.

[Steve_2]

This would be very possible to do. As far as toxicity goes, I've used ceramic tiles in my own tanks before. I used a strip of ceramic tiles in my angelfish breeding tanks back when I was in freshwater and at the moment, my protein skimmer sits on a ceramic tile, inside my sump on my reef tank. As far as adhesive goes, why not use regular aquarium caulking? As far as grout goes, you could also use coloured aquarium safe caulking.

What do you think?

Steve

[Mettle]

Good ideas, Steve. I'm likin' it!

[normc]

One word. alge