Any plywood aquarium failures?

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Brent419

Candiru
MFK Member
Oct 2, 2014
127
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Toledo OH
For over a year now I have been considering building a 300g (maybe bigger if funds allow) plywood aquarium and have been doing lots of reading up on it. I know there are numerous methods and I haven't decided yet which I will do however I was wondering if anyone out there has any horror stories I might learn from... Any leaky tanks? Anyone who just said "screw it - not worth it!"?

I've read many of the threads on plywood tanks and before I take the plunge I am curious if there is anyone (besides my wife) who will talk me out of it. Maybe waiting for a cheap used tank to someday cross my path would be better?
 
Most of the plywood tanks on here had leaks at some point during construction, however they were fixed eventually, well most were, I think it was nolapete who was trying to build a 4000+ plywood tank that kept leaking. It may have got the best of him as he stopped posting updates and I don't think it was finished. It seems that once you go past 1000 gallons the leak factor gpse up dramatically. However many people on here have have great luck with plywood tanks around the 300g mark. Do a rough cost calculation, the glass or acrylic and waterproofing will be the biggest costs. And keep an eye out for large used tanks.
 
I built my tank over 10 years ago. About 900 gallons. Never had a single drip/leak. I think if your building a tank over 500 gallons or more that cost and time is worth it. Anything less than that size your better off just looking for a good deal in classifieds.
 
One of the only draw backs for me is that I'm scared to try and remove the coralline algae from the back of the tank because I'm afraid I'll damage the pond shield. Also, if you want a big tank, go big. I was originally going to go with a 8'x4'x2' tank but I talked myself out of it and went with a 6'x3'x2' instead, the only regret that I have so far...
 
I am in process of building a 300 gallon myself. I framed mine just like a house. Going to use 6oz fiberglass to glass inside, adding blue pigment to the resin for color, and tripling all the plywood joints. I'm on a budget and had another project come up as well so I haven't done much on it. I figure I'll have maybe a thousand dollars in it once completed.
 
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