I want to try tile

[nats]

I keep seeing everyones set-ups with tile substrate and I would like to try it.
Here's the thing; if I cant buy everything on line, I wont bother.
I dont do brick and mortor shopping except for beer and groceries!!

So, can someone provide a nice link for the type of tile that works best?
Also, wont I need something to cut it with?

Help me please! (I'm so lame :main_laugh: )

 

[Overkill]

well what size tank do you have and all i will be making a tank next week and if go onto lowes or homedepot website and u see a type of tile u like then i can pick it up for u and cut it for you

 

[SoCaliSon]

I know you said you won't go to the store for it... But I do know that if you buy it at Lowes or Home Depot, they will cut it for you, for maybe a small charge.

 

[nats]

I know you said you won't go to the store for it... But I do know that if you buy it at Lowes or Home Depot, they will cut it for you, for maybe a small charge.

Nope, I will cut it myself.
I have a 20gal long, so its 30 X 12'' (3 of them actually!)
What brand or type of material should I be looking for?

 

[hybrid]

I do construction, and i find PLENTY of tile left over in these houses. I mean BOXES and BOXES to be thrown away. I get it all. From real stone tile to the fake stuff. If i can help i will. Just let me know

 

[nats]

I do construction, and i find PLENTY of tile left over in these houses. I mean BOXES and BOXES to be thrown away. I get it all. From real stone tile to the fake stuff. If i can help i will. Just let me know

You bet! that sounds great.
Of course I would want stone tile.
All I want is something that looks natural like slate, and a minimum of cutting.
Feel free to PM me if you have anything like that :main_yes:

 

[hybrid]

Tile will have to be cut with a tile cutter, i have one i found that someone on the site was throwing away cause the plug was messed up. Luckily i got it all good now and works great. These stone tiles are VERY hard to cut and need a cutting wheel and water.

I have alot at my storage right now but I dont know about shipping cause these are about 60-75lb boxes with 25 - 30 tiles in each.

 

[LeapinLizards]

I went to Home Depot, found a HUGE selection of clearance tiles sitting outside one of the entrances...a lot of different colors. I paid like .89 each 12x12 piece. Super cheap! I know a couple guys there, so they cut it for me no problemo.

 

[hybrid]

Yeah usually they will cut any tile you buy. All you have to do is ask someone there.

 

[acpart]

Remember that not all Home Depots have tile cutters. Where I live there are about 6 Home Depots within 20 miles of me and only one has a tile cutter.

Aliza

 

[MSMD]

With all of my utilitarian racks, I finally decided to make a 'show tank' for my desk in the gecko room. I've seen all of these nice looking setups lately with tile and thought I would try one of my own.

I was fotunate that our Home Depot does, indeed, have a tile cutter. I chose some nice, 'natural'-looking porcelin tiles that I thought would match my background nicely and they cut it to my specs for free.

 

[hybrid]

Do you have a pic of the new set up Mari? Id love to see it!

 

[SoCaliSon]

It just came to me, But when I was tiling one of my Beardies tanks, there was a piece I need like 3 inches taken off of an end. It was pretty easy... I took a razor and scored the back side of the tile, got a heavy metal grout tool with a a longer sharp edge (don't know what it is called), and I held that on the score and hit it with a hammer... It gave me a pretty clean break, and now they all fit perfect.

 

[nats]

So what size tiles do you guys think I should use?
Do they have 12'' tiles? That way I could buy 3 and only have to cut one!!

 

[nats]

Looks like some online stores have a minimum amount you can order.
I only want to do one tank, and I guess I will have to buy a cutter!!

 

[acpart]

So what size tiles do you guys think I should use?
Do they have 12'' tiles? That way I could buy 3 and only have to cut one!!

Most 20 gallon longs will take two 12x12" tiles and either 2 6x6" tiles, or a 12x12 cut in half. 12" tiles are usually actually more like 11 3/4". Some of the 12" tiles though may closer to a real 12" and your tank may be a bit narrower than 12". Buy 1 tile (which you can do at Home Depot) and see if it fits. If it does, get another, install them both and measure the width you have left. Remember if you have a tank that was an aquarium and has a lot of silicone on the bottom you will either have to get a slightly narrower piece or cut out the silicone. Once you measure, you'll know how to cut your third 12" tile to fit the space.
Aliza

 

[nats]

Most 20 gallon longs will take two 12x12" tiles and either 2 6x6" tiles, or a 12x12 cut in half. 12" tiles are usually actually more like 11 3/4". Some of the 12" tiles though may closer to a real 12" and your tank may be a bit narrower than 12". Buy 1 tile (which you can do at Home Depot) and see if it fits. If it does, get another, install them both and measure the width you have left. Remember if you have a tank that was an aquarium and has a lot of silicone on the bottom you will either have to get a slightly narrower piece or cut out the silicone. Once you measure, you'll know how to cut your third 12" tile to fit the space.
Aliza

Yeah I was wondering how those square tiles are going to fit in the edges where all that silicone cement is.
I think I'll just go over to the Home Depot website and see if I can order some.
Do you guys stick the tiles down with anything?

 

[nats]

OK, I hung out at Home Depot looking around.
All I can find is expense glazed (shinny and slipery!!) tile.
I was hoping for something more natural