So, I own a pool liner manufacturing shop and have decided to fool around with the concept of building a clear vinyl monster tank.
It will be of plywood construction with a plexiglass front, but instead of trying to make plywood watertight, we are going to put a form fitting liner in it. We're thinking 1/2" plywood and 1/2" plexiglass. I'm hoping we can go skimpy on the structure since there will be a liner inside and some deflection in the viewing window won't be the end of the world. We haven't committed to any particular size, but 4' cube would make for a pretty neat Malawi tank (478 gal).
Since we are in the pool industry we will probably be using pool fittings which I think may work out great for plumbing. And an inline spa heater instead of a submersible heater (afraid the heater could melt the liner).
We have already made a 22 gal. tank that the 2 goldfish and pleco seem to be enjoying . It's been running since 9/16 (under a week) but all seems to be going as planned.
I want to let the small tank run for a couple more weeks before we start on the big tank, but I'd love to get some feedback and ideas for stocking, size filtration etc. Also any concerns like "will it yellow over time?" (doubt it, but it may get cloudy), "how long will it last?" (guessing about 5 years before you have to replace it due to wear and the possibility of becoming cloudy)
Anyway, I just wanted to get some discussion started (and unhijack nolapete's thread). Looking forward to hearing feedback and getting help building the concept.
...and no, you can't buy one right now.
It will be of plywood construction with a plexiglass front, but instead of trying to make plywood watertight, we are going to put a form fitting liner in it. We're thinking 1/2" plywood and 1/2" plexiglass. I'm hoping we can go skimpy on the structure since there will be a liner inside and some deflection in the viewing window won't be the end of the world. We haven't committed to any particular size, but 4' cube would make for a pretty neat Malawi tank (478 gal).
Since we are in the pool industry we will probably be using pool fittings which I think may work out great for plumbing. And an inline spa heater instead of a submersible heater (afraid the heater could melt the liner).
We have already made a 22 gal. tank that the 2 goldfish and pleco seem to be enjoying . It's been running since 9/16 (under a week) but all seems to be going as planned.
I want to let the small tank run for a couple more weeks before we start on the big tank, but I'd love to get some feedback and ideas for stocking, size filtration etc. Also any concerns like "will it yellow over time?" (doubt it, but it may get cloudy), "how long will it last?" (guessing about 5 years before you have to replace it due to wear and the possibility of becoming cloudy)
Anyway, I just wanted to get some discussion started (and unhijack nolapete's thread). Looking forward to hearing feedback and getting help building the concept.
...and no, you can't buy one right now.