i want comments on a diy plywood build

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xdragonxb0i

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 23, 2009
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Arkansas
so i busted 220 gallon tank, that i wanna take a part and then make a plywood tank.

the sheets of glass i have is.

2= 24''x24''x.5''
1= 90x24x.5''

the tank i want it to be 96''x48''x26''

In the picture the tank is 26" high, i want to leave some extra space, would it be a problem if the water level goes up an extra 2''? or will the glass break.
The design is just a simple plywood box. Im not sure about the correct way to brace the tank. But i have 4" wood going across the top

Im gonna coat the inside with permi-dry pond coat. I don't want to paint exterior black. Could i just stain/paint the exterior with exterior grade paint?


Im thinking this is the best way to arrange the glass for the best view. What do you guys think about how the viewing window should be?


diybuild.png
 
As far as the exterior goes, you can do about anything you want but you dont want to use exterior paint indoors. There are chemicals in exterior paint that you dont want indoors. I like the design you are currently workiung with and I dont see the 2" height being as issue. I would change the supports going across the top to aluminum. On a tank I built some time ago I found aluminum yard sticks cheap and used those for cross bracing.
 
BadOleRoss;3892064; said:
As far as the exterior goes, you can do about anything you want but you dont want to use exterior paint indoors. There are chemicals in exterior paint that you dont want indoors. I like the design you are currently workiung with and I dont see the 2" height being as issue. I would change the supports going across the top to aluminum. On a tank I built some time ago I found aluminum yard sticks cheap and used those for cross bracing.
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the yard sticks arent they like 1/8'' thick? Will it be strong enough to hold it.

what would your recommend to paint on the outside?
 
xdragonxb0i;3892180; said:
the yard sticks arent they like 1/8'' thick? Will it be strong enough to hold it.

what would your recommend to paint on the outside?
Click to expand...

Yes, they are about 1/8" thick, but try and stretch one. They worked for me. I drilled holes in the ends and ran a lag bolt into the top frame of the tank. I had 2 across the top of a 360G tank.

As far as paints, any good quality paint should be fine. Satin and Semigloss paint do better with water. You could also do a dark stain and then poly it. I am in the middle of a build myself and cant figure the outside of the tank out to save my tail.
 
i have exterior paint in doors. it is in my caiman enclosure. the only thing is it has mold and mildew resistent additives. thats it
 
Lepisosteus platyrhincus;3892281; said:
i have exterior paint in doors. it is in my caiman enclosure. the only thing is it has mold and mildew resistent additives. thats it
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yeah i would imagine that as long as the mildew resistent additives are not in contact wit the water, it would be fine.
 
what is the best way to assemble the tank? Also what size thickness in plywood should i use?

Green is the walls, red is the bottom

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1. B

2. 3/4" minimum, 1" would be better
 
Knowdafish;3896963; said:
1. B

2. 3/4" minimum, 1" would be better
Click to expand...

would it matter what type of plywood?
 
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