My fiance and I are making our own aquarium. In the 70's his father made this aquarium but about 12 years ago it was taken apart and stored in the garage for the entire time. Back then they sort of only used under gravel filtration, and since this is going to be saltwater (SORRY!- I thought this was best as it is DIY section) we have to add the sump/overflow/everything else. It is in the shape of a dodecahedron and holds 70 gallons not counting sump.

What it started as- cut glass.
http://torgo.spleens.net/aquariums/70_dode...bs_of_glass.jpg

Before cleaning
http://torgo.spleens.net/aquariums/70_dodec/02_filthy.jpg

starting to join it
http://torgo.spleens.net/aquariums/70_dodec/06_joining4.jpg

a little farther along
http://torgo.spleens.net/aquariums/70_dodec/08_joining10.jpg

After creating the center overflow we flipped it to join the base. All that's left is siliconing the outside (inside is done)

http://torgo.spleens.net/aquariums/70_dode...se_attached.jpg

So as you can see it still needs major work but is coming along well. I am very excited about our unique aquarium! I will continue to post pictures as it progresses.

If this is the wrong spot feel free to move it - Sorry if it is!

How exciting! I can't wait to see it as it progresses.

Wow, please keep the pics coming as you finish and get your fish in it! Such a different shape!

very cool tank!!!

good job of cleaning it up! =) very cool indeed!

Thanks everyone It's really been fun putting it back together (other than the mess)

off the topic: Ogopogo is the cutest little fish! He kinda reminds me of pikachu with the little red cheek! sweet!

Thank you! I love Ogopogo very much. He's such a personable fish. Honestly when I first got him I didn't think he was all that cute but he quickly grew on me. We both appreciate the compliment !

But the question is, does the lid to the aquarium have a number 20 on it...

wow. very nice and unique!! cant wait to see it finished.

Thanks About the only thing left to do is connect the tubes from overflow to sump, get the sand and decor in there and start cycling! I should have new pictures pretty soon

New pics, new pics!!!! That is the coolest looking tank I've ever seen! I can't wait for pics of it after it's stocked!

What a very unique shape indeed! The only thing I would worry about is the water pressure doing a number on the connected pieces, especially on the sides. But if it has been running many years before that, it must have held together.
Can't wait how it looks with everything set up!

Thanks everyone, here is a picture with all the tape off and the extra silicone trimmed off.

http://torgo.spleens.net/aquariums/70_dode...hed_sealing.jpg

Ranchugirl, this tank ran for a good 10 or 12 years and never once leaked. Of course, we had to redo the silicone and everything (but it's probably a better sealant now than in the early 70's anyway) but the shape is tried and true

Eek, I am consumed by thinking about what sort of critters to keep and it's not even done yet.

That is so cool! I love the shape, as I said before! I can't wait to see it once you have it full of water and decor and with what ever you will put in for fish! Have you decided on the fish yet? It will be so preatty!

wow, looks like its commin along nicely

wow it starting to looking like a fish tank can't wait til u put fish in there

Whoa! That's such a unique tank! I don't think I've ever seen one in that shape, or a similar shape, EVER. Not even at aquariums!

Can't wait to see how your decorate it and what fishies you get for it!!! (Oooh maybe a starfish?)

wow. how much gallons does it holds again? it magificant!! keep us updated with pics!!

I can't wait to see what it looks like decorated and with fish.

Wow that's really neat! Once it's all set up, you can look through the different sides and it's like a whole new view on things. Really cool!

Is it set up yet? Pics soon or else..... I'd name it THE OCTAQUARIUM!!!

It reminds of the origional Star Wars Jedi fighting ships, well without the wings. You could get a betta and call it Darth Betta! Ok no more bad jokes, I promise. erm yeah

Well? Is there water in it yet??? Inquiring fish minds wanna know.....AND SEE!

Oh I LOVE it!!! That is going to be an absolutely beautiful (conversation starter!) feature in your living room. Will you have substrate or go barebottom? I know what I'd do.. That's the pipe part of the original filter system that was used in the middle right?

We've had company so no real work has gone into the "OCTAQUARIUM" unfortunately

I will be going with a thick sand bed for substrate.

Well, the original filter in this thing was undegravel... long outdated and had pipes ahnd cords hanging out the side, etc. So what we did was took a pipe and cut holes in the top and bottom , inside that put another pipe a little lower with holes in the top (which created the overflow) and snaked the water return line up that as well. So now it's all nice and neat- no filter parts to awkwardly hang out a side- all contained nicely in the pipe that takes it down to the sump to be cleaned

I think I'll try to stack live/lace rock around it to hide it or start something growing on it :-D

Can't wait to see pics even my husband wants to see it all set up.

My curiosity got the better of me: Did this ever get completed? I would like to see the final picture! the links don't work anymore.

It sounds so cool! Can't wait to see pictures

Thanks for the continued interest, very much appreciated
A lot of progress, but most of it can't be seen (it's been made on the actual overflow/water return)

New pictures !:

This was it when we thought it had been constructed correctly:


http://torgo.spleens.net/aquariums/50_dode...hed_sealing.jpg

The "guts"

http://torgo.spleens.net/aquariums/50_dode...pump_output.jpg

Lit up! :

http://torgo.spleens.net/aquariums/50_dodec/15_light.jpg

With the thin silicone, it simply wasn't strong enough. We had to add extra to the outside how it was originally, and now it looks like :

http://torgo.spleens.net/aquariums/50_dode...er_silicone.jpg

What it looks like currently:
http://torgo.spleens.net/aquariums/50_dode...lmost_ready.jpg

Now I have nassarius snails in there, a sea hare, and lots of eel grass! I am stocking this tank carefully and slowly. I hope to eventually have a school of bar gobies, a flame hawk, a few green chromies, a starry blenny, maybe a pygmy angel, and more nudibranchs than you can shake a stick at!

Fabulous!! thanks for updating. I love the stand it sits on! It is a great looking tank and you did such a super job on it! Totally unique.
Thanks again,
Rachel

it looks great complete!

THat fish tank looks fabulous!

That is amazing! My son tells me that it's a dodecahedron. How thick is the glass? Was there a pattern for the construction? Or is it an original design?

Wow! An amazing shape, certainly unusual. Looks great lit-up too Good job!

Thanks everyone

The stand is just a bunch of wood on cinderblocks, covered by "velboa" I picked out myself

Angelsun, your son is correct! There was no pattern, just my fiances super crafty dad The glass is (I think ) 1/2 inch.

I love how it came out! Looks wonderful! Not only a very nice aquarium, but also a piece of art! How many gals does it hold again? I bet you get alot of complements on it from friends coming into your home!

Well, it is WAY cool!! Beautiful design although it looks challenging to assemble. Great job!!