Looking for 4' deep plywood build threads

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auratum

auratum

Candiru
MFK Member
Feb 12, 2008
230
1
48
Michigan
Guys,

I am looking at building a 4' deep tank using wood construction and sealing with fiber glass. I am looking for threads on here of similar depth to get ideas of best methods for support and construction. This will be in my basement - expecting it to be about 1500 gallons total volume (4' deep x 15' long x 42" wide). My tentative plan is to use stacked 2x4's with 3/4" plywood (2 layers on bottom - 1 on sides). I already have the glass (8' x 3' & 3' x 3' pieces (3/4")) from another tank I got in trade. Filter will be the last 2' on one end of the tank - built right into the tank.

I did some searching and found several good builds, but trying to find the ones that had deeper tanks using wood construction was difficult. Can you help me out and point me in the right direction?

Thanks!
Patrick
 
Thanks for the encouragement. Nice build on your 30" deep 650 gallon tank - it looks really nice. The reason I am looking at the stacked 2x4 construction is due to the depth. I also built several 3/4" plywood tanks that were shallower (22"). What would you recommend for a 4' deep tank constructed of wood? Any examples you can point me to for successful builds of this depth from wood? Are you basing your comment off technical knowledge or gut feel? I have a 48" deep swimming pool in my back yard that isn't supported by stacked 2x4's but it isn't inside my house, doesn't have a rigid glass window that needs to remain sealed, and is supported in a circular pattern rather than a square box. Am I going to build me tank with a 1/8" stainless shell and 1/8" vinyl liner in my basement, don't think so.

If you can please offer some constructive comments, I would appreciate it.

Thanks!
 
If you read through some old threads there was a debate about overkill with stacked 2x4 and what you really need. It basically came down to what you feel comfortable with and how much you want to spend.

For a 4' depth you can have plenty of strength from frame braced walls with studs every 12 or so inches. If you fiberglass the corners and seams you should be able to add strength and waterproofing. My tank walls are unsupported and my depth is about 30". I have about 4 layers total of glass inside and outside of each corner. I've noticed no bowing or flexing whatsoever. If you notice on my build the corner where the two pcs of glass meets is where it is the least supported. I've layered fiberglass alternatively overlapping from each direction and it's shown no problem at all.

Two things I would do over is put a lot more silicone when installing the glass and maybe rethink the Wetsuite. It is a good waterproofer but not very scuff or impact proof.
 
sashimimaster said:
If you read through some old threads there was a debate about overkill with stacked 2x4 and what you really need. It basically came down to what you feel comfortable with and how much you want to spend.

For a 4' depth you can have plenty of strength from frame braced walls with studs every 12 or so inches. If you fiberglass the corners and seams you should be able to add strength and waterproofing. My tank walls are unsupported and my depth is about 30". I have about 4 layers total of glass inside and outside of each corner. I've noticed no bowing or flexing whatsoever. If you notice on my build the corner where the two pcs of glass meets is where it is the least supported. I've layered fiberglass alternatively overlapping from each direction and it's shown no problem at all.

Two things I would do over is put a lot more silicone when installing the glass and maybe rethink the Wetsuite. It is a good waterproofer but not very scuff or impact proof.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the input! Can you by chance point me to any of the specific threads debating this? I have tried to do some searching and not gotten what i was looking for.

Why did you choose to use Wetsuite? I read your thread where you talked about two different materials, but I don't understand why people go through all the trouble of fiberglassing and feel they need to water proof the fiberglass. If you use a proper epoxy resin, it is completely waterproof and no need for additional coating. They make all sorts of pigments you can mix with the epoxy if you want it colored (I used Indigo Blue on my last build). The only risk to the epoxy is UV rays so as long as you don't put your tank in the sun, no worries.

I too would use more silicone than I did on my last build. The only place I had a leak was on the glass panes and it turned out to be too little silicone in a couple spots.

Thank you again for the input.
 
Thanks Stempy! That is exactly what I am looking for.
 
auratum said:
Guys,

I am looking at building a 4' deep tank using wood construction and sealing with fiber glass. I am looking for threads on here of similar depth to get ideas of best methods for support and construction. This will be in my basement - expecting it to be about 1500 gallons total volume (4' deep x 15' long x 42" wide). My tentative plan is to use stacked 2x4's with 3/4" plywood (2 layers on bottom - 1 on sides). I already have the glass (8' x 3' & 3' x 3' pieces (3/4")) from another tank I got in trade. Filter will be the last 2' on one end of the tank - built right into the tank.

I did some searching and found several good builds, but trying to find the ones that had deeper tanks using wood construction was difficult. Can you help me out and point me in the right direction?

Thanks!
Patrick
Click to expand...


One of the longest running threads on MFK. Unfortunately, the tank is not running yet
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...75939-4300-Gallon-Plywood-Build-(3600-Take-2)

VLDesign has a very successful 2400 gallon plywood build. The tank is only 3' high, though
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...allon-plywood-tank-project&highlight=vldesign


greenterra has a very beautiful plywood/fiberglass tank. I don't think it's 4' tall.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...3-Plywood-fiberglass-and-800-gallons-of-water



IMO the king of DIY plywood tanks is anythingfish
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...bout-Constructing-a-Monster-Aquarium-Yourself


Here's his 8,000 gallon tank
http://www.anythingfish.com/Pacu_8000_Gallon_Outdoor_Aquarium.htm

http://www.anythingfish.com/images/Ted/PhotoGallery/TedsMasterIndex.htm
 
pacu mom said:
One of the longest running threads on MFK. Unfortunately, the tank is not running yet
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...75939-4300-Gallon-Plywood-Build-(3600-Take-2)

VLDesign has a very successful 2400 gallon plywood build. The tank is only 3' high, though
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...allon-plywood-tank-project&highlight=vldesign


greenterra has a very beautiful plywood/fiberglass tank. I don't think it's 4' tall.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...3-Plywood-fiberglass-and-800-gallons-of-water



IMO the king of DIY plywood tanks is anythingfish
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...bout-Constructing-a-Monster-Aquarium-Yourself


Here's his 8,000 gallon tank
http://www.anythingfish.com/Pacu_8000_Gallon_Outdoor_Aquarium.htm

http://www.anythingfish.com/images/Ted/PhotoGallery/TedsMasterIndex.htm
Click to expand...

Thanks pacu mom - gives me lots of reading!!!
 
I really didn't need the wetsuite. It was more for another layer of insurance. The fiberglass can be the one and only means of waterproofing. The reason why I added it is because it has great elastic qualities and I've read in the past the downfall of diy tanks in the long run is flex. If fiberglass flexes it will crack. So I tried to make it extra stiff and added the Wetsuite as insurance in case there was any flex. However the Wetsuite doesn't stick to epoxy that well. It sticks but does not bond so there are places at the top of the tank where I had to climb in and out where the Wetsuite peeled off and exposed the epoxied wood. It's still water proof but doesn't look nice. I'm not worried because it's not a submerged area but if that wasn't waterproofed, the humidity and condensation would eventually rot the wood. Having said that the areas submerged where it has not been touched is perfect. There is no bubbling, peeling or separation.

If I were to do it again I would definitely use fiberglass again but maybe think of something else as another layer on top of it.
 
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