As the title states, my first tank build did not end up holding up, here is the link to my old 400 gallon build.
400 Gallon Build
So the interior dimensions of the new tank are 86"x48"x35" making it just under 650 gallons. Figure the key to success must be to make it bigger so tacked on another 250 gallons over the last build. Doing things 100% different this time and trying to do it cheaper and much faster. In this build I will not only do a price list, but also a time list to track hours on the build.
This tank will be framed with 2x4's just as you would a wall and the front will be the same as the 400 gallon with a 3/4" plywood front with the viewing window hole cut out. 1/2" plywood will be screwed to the framing. Not going to mess around with liquid rubbers, epoxies or fiberglass, going to use pond liner. The only tricky part of this build will be to get the viewing window in properly with the pond liner. I have seen success in doing this before so I'm hoping it won't be too difficult.
Costs
(15) 2x4 - 10' - $25.79
(15) 2x4 - 8' - $20.85
(3) 1/2" Spruce 4x8 Plywood - $55.50
Screws - $5.50
Total - $107.64
Hoping to salvage the glass from the 400 gallon so I won't have that $200 expense this time. Only other costs I'm hoping to have is around $150 for my pond liner. Goal for the build is under $250.
Time Spent
April 13th, 2012 - 2 hours
April 14th, 2012 - 45 minutes
Total Time - 2 hours 45 minutes
Time is money, so figure that the amount of hours spent on a build is equally as important as material costs. Time goal for this project is going to be 5 hours (from start until it is full of water not leaking).
Here is where the tank sits now, all that remains is to screw the plywood onto the sides, cut the front panel for the viewing window and put in the liner. Things will be at a stand still until I get the 400 gallon torn down and the glass removed.
Any advice/experiences with pond liner and the viewing window would be much appreciated.
400 Gallon Build
So the interior dimensions of the new tank are 86"x48"x35" making it just under 650 gallons. Figure the key to success must be to make it bigger so tacked on another 250 gallons over the last build. Doing things 100% different this time and trying to do it cheaper and much faster. In this build I will not only do a price list, but also a time list to track hours on the build.
This tank will be framed with 2x4's just as you would a wall and the front will be the same as the 400 gallon with a 3/4" plywood front with the viewing window hole cut out. 1/2" plywood will be screwed to the framing. Not going to mess around with liquid rubbers, epoxies or fiberglass, going to use pond liner. The only tricky part of this build will be to get the viewing window in properly with the pond liner. I have seen success in doing this before so I'm hoping it won't be too difficult.
Costs
(15) 2x4 - 10' - $25.79
(15) 2x4 - 8' - $20.85
(3) 1/2" Spruce 4x8 Plywood - $55.50
Screws - $5.50
Total - $107.64
Hoping to salvage the glass from the 400 gallon so I won't have that $200 expense this time. Only other costs I'm hoping to have is around $150 for my pond liner. Goal for the build is under $250.
Time Spent
April 13th, 2012 - 2 hours
April 14th, 2012 - 45 minutes
Total Time - 2 hours 45 minutes
Time is money, so figure that the amount of hours spent on a build is equally as important as material costs. Time goal for this project is going to be 5 hours (from start until it is full of water not leaking).
Here is where the tank sits now, all that remains is to screw the plywood onto the sides, cut the front panel for the viewing window and put in the liner. Things will be at a stand still until I get the 400 gallon torn down and the glass removed.
Any advice/experiences with pond liner and the viewing window would be much appreciated.