Ok so I am planning out a 360 gal plywood tank build (this is my first build and first sump) I am planning on building a 360 gal plywood tank that measures 76"x36"x32" (would go 36" tall but then i cant fit it through the door) and I am planning on having it on a stand that is 28" tall MAX to give me an overall height of 5'.
For the tank I am thinking of using 1" plywood and 1" acrylic (to keep weight lower) and drilling the acrylic to bolt it to the tank for a stronger seal, and I am planning on using black pond armor to water proof the inside of the tank. Not too sure if the wood will be thick enough so please chime in if its not.
My questions for the build of the tank would be how do i determine how big to cut the hole for my viewing panel and how much overlap i want with the acrylic and plywood? Then how much external bracing with 2x4's should i need? Lastly for the lid how would i keep evaporation down well still letting light in and having easy access to the tank? I was thinking of making a canopy with lighting built in and having front opening doors (like some pet shops have)
For the stand I don't want it to exceed 28" was thinking of building it out of 2x4 and 4x4 (not exactly sure how to build it to withstand the weight yet I am still looking at other big tank stand builds) so please chime in and give your 2 cents on how it could be done because I don't think copying the stand for my 90 gal on a bigger scale will work.
Next is filtration
my biggest fear for the build and the part I am absolutely clueless about! the filtration will need to be big enough to filter the water at around 5000 gph I am guessing. Filtration needs to be effective and be able to fit in the stand as well as at least semi quiet or be able to run in the stand once its sound proofed. 3 options hit my mind right now and they are wet dry, fluidized bed, and having the sump with the intake on one end and having the water flow through the media to the other end to the pump to pump it back to the tank. (not sure if that is possible.)
Stock is undetermined yet but will more then likely be a shoal tank with 1 or 2 Piraya for sure and something else either tern (if possible) or 1 or 2 carbia or 1 or 2 natts
Sorry for the long read that is mostly questions but building a tank is something I have wanted to do for quite a bit now and it will be the best way for me to learn how to do this stuff for if i ever build another tank or sump again.
For the tank I am thinking of using 1" plywood and 1" acrylic (to keep weight lower) and drilling the acrylic to bolt it to the tank for a stronger seal, and I am planning on using black pond armor to water proof the inside of the tank. Not too sure if the wood will be thick enough so please chime in if its not.
My questions for the build of the tank would be how do i determine how big to cut the hole for my viewing panel and how much overlap i want with the acrylic and plywood? Then how much external bracing with 2x4's should i need? Lastly for the lid how would i keep evaporation down well still letting light in and having easy access to the tank? I was thinking of making a canopy with lighting built in and having front opening doors (like some pet shops have)
For the stand I don't want it to exceed 28" was thinking of building it out of 2x4 and 4x4 (not exactly sure how to build it to withstand the weight yet I am still looking at other big tank stand builds) so please chime in and give your 2 cents on how it could be done because I don't think copying the stand for my 90 gal on a bigger scale will work.
Next is filtration
Stock is undetermined yet but will more then likely be a shoal tank with 1 or 2 Piraya for sure and something else either tern (if possible) or 1 or 2 carbia or 1 or 2 natts
Sorry for the long read that is mostly questions but building a tank is something I have wanted to do for quite a bit now and it will be the best way for me to learn how to do this stuff for if i ever build another tank or sump again.
