So, I have been in quite the predicament lately. My AGA 220 sprung a leak after heating the water up to 86 to battle a little bit of ich. I have since had to move everyone around and am deciding what my next step will be.
My first reaction was to order the 440 acrylic 96x48x24 tank, however, $3000 before being drilled has was a pretty tough pill to swallow and I really don't want to spend that type of money right now.
Second reaction was to reseal the 220 and wait a year or two before my motoro is large enough to need that size tank. So, my wife has been awesome enough to get in the tank, completely strip the old silicone off, cleaned it up and we gave it a shot on resealing the other night. It was going great at first, but we hit about the 5 minute mark and things started to rapidly dry, 72x24x30 is a big tank to seal as your first shot. Needless to say, it dried on us around the 7-8 minute mark as we had started to peel off the tape, it ruined all the silicone and will need to be stripped again and need to be attempted again.
Which leads me to now. My wife and I are "DIYers" when it comes to most things and I have a garage full of power tools and saws, etc. I am now thinking about breaking down the 220 and building a plywood tank and using a piece of the glass from the 220 for the front viewing panel.
So, I guess after that lengthy story, what are your guys feelings toward the plywood tank? Obviously they are popular still, but for you guys that have done it, how long have they lasted so far? Any leaks sprung? Unexpected important items needed to know for the build?
My first reaction was to order the 440 acrylic 96x48x24 tank, however, $3000 before being drilled has was a pretty tough pill to swallow and I really don't want to spend that type of money right now.
Second reaction was to reseal the 220 and wait a year or two before my motoro is large enough to need that size tank. So, my wife has been awesome enough to get in the tank, completely strip the old silicone off, cleaned it up and we gave it a shot on resealing the other night. It was going great at first, but we hit about the 5 minute mark and things started to rapidly dry, 72x24x30 is a big tank to seal as your first shot. Needless to say, it dried on us around the 7-8 minute mark as we had started to peel off the tape, it ruined all the silicone and will need to be stripped again and need to be attempted again.
Which leads me to now. My wife and I are "DIYers" when it comes to most things and I have a garage full of power tools and saws, etc. I am now thinking about breaking down the 220 and building a plywood tank and using a piece of the glass from the 220 for the front viewing panel.
So, I guess after that lengthy story, what are your guys feelings toward the plywood tank? Obviously they are popular still, but for you guys that have done it, how long have they lasted so far? Any leaks sprung? Unexpected important items needed to know for the build?
