Hello all! I've been browsing MFK for awhile now trying to plan a DIY Plywood growout tank for my Tilapia. I'm trying to keep costs for this project extremely low because it' supposed to be an "economical" way to raise these fish.
I had an epiphany regarding resources. I have three pallets of cinder blocks 8x8x16 inches available to me for free leftover from a house construction and I was considering using these instead of plywood to make the walls of the tank.
The planned dimensions are anywhere from 8 to 9 1/4 feet long by 4 to 5 1/4 feet wide (Depending on final layout. This project is in my very small basement.) and 32 inches tall.
The actual construction will be stacking the blocks without any mortar in an alternating fashion to the intended size then placing a pond underliner and a pond liner inside and securing it at the top.
My obvious concern is, seeing as how I can't find anywhere online where someone built a tank like this freestanding, will the block hold up to the weight of the water (Calculated 415 gal at a filled depth of 30 inches) without any further type of bracing or support?
If anyone has built anything like this, or has any ideas, please let me know.
I had an epiphany regarding resources. I have three pallets of cinder blocks 8x8x16 inches available to me for free leftover from a house construction and I was considering using these instead of plywood to make the walls of the tank.
The planned dimensions are anywhere from 8 to 9 1/4 feet long by 4 to 5 1/4 feet wide (Depending on final layout. This project is in my very small basement.) and 32 inches tall.
The actual construction will be stacking the blocks without any mortar in an alternating fashion to the intended size then placing a pond underliner and a pond liner inside and securing it at the top.
My obvious concern is, seeing as how I can't find anywhere online where someone built a tank like this freestanding, will the block hold up to the weight of the water (Calculated 415 gal at a filled depth of 30 inches) without any further type of bracing or support?
If anyone has built anything like this, or has any ideas, please let me know.