900 gallon custom tank material

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Oompa Loompa said:
First - those dimensions would be in the range of 1240 gallons, not 900.
Second - any particular reason for those dimensions? I ask because if you're going to do plywood, those are some funky dimensions. Lumber comes in even dimensions (8 feet up through 20 usually), and plywood sheets are 8x4. You certainly could do 11x5, but it's going to be a lot more work on your part with cuts. There will also be a lot more waste.

If you want to go wood - I would use 2x8s as the flooring frame, and cover that with 3/4" plywood surrounded by 2x4s. Then go around stacking and interlocking 2x4s to build up the walls. Line the inside with 1/2" plywood, and build the front framing for the window with 4x4 posts. Run some of those 4x4s across the top for bracing too. That will be your wooden shell.
To seal it, cover all the screw holes with epoxy, then epoxy the tank. Pond Armor is what's typically used, but there are other options out there. Do the seams, then roll over the entire tank, then do the seams again and fiberglass them. Repeat this until the epoxy is as thick as you want it - at least 10mm thick. You could fiberglass the entire inside of the tank, this is going to be a lot more labor intensive but will give you added insurance for sealing and strength - up to you.
Then for your window, prime the space and silicone it, and then use posts to put pressure to hold the windows on. Pretty much all there is to it.

Read this start to finish:
This is pretty much the best plywood tank ever built IMO, it went 5 years without any complications (was only taken down because the homeowners didn't want it anymore). Rich is a member on here, but hasn't been around in quite some time. I've spoken to him several times about the design of this tank. He covers everything in that PDF in near perfect detail, but if you have any questions I can probably answer them, or I can PM you his email and I'm sure he'd be willing to help you out.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info i think that is my general plan ill go with. I say 900 because i assume itll be more like 10' by 4' inside dimensions and im only filling it to 2'. I want to have air tight hatch doors on the top and run ducting to the top to bring outside air in and out. Basicially im trying to avoid any humidity in the basement. I would definately be interested in his email. Following the pdf ill start with the stand for now. I have to take it a bit slow for now as i dont have a alot to invest at the moment but can afford about 300 a month towards it. Will have to pull some strings when its time to buy the glass..
 
Oompa Loompa said:
What is your planned filtration with the shark? Planned tankmates?
Either species you mentioned should do fine in an 11x5. If you go smaller, I would nix the bamboo idea (assuming you're talking about a brown banded bamboo). There are plenty of species that would fit in, say, a 10x4 or 8x4 though. 12x6 gives you almost every species available in the hobby.
Click to expand...
Oompa Loompa said:
First - those dimensions would be in the range of 1240 gallons, not 900.
Second - any particular reason for those dimensions? I ask because if you're going to do plywood, those are some funky dimensions. Lumber comes in even dimensions (8 feet up through 20 usually), and plywood sheets are 8x4. You certainly could do 11x5, but it's going to be a lot more work on your part with cuts. There will also be a lot more waste.

If you want to go wood - I would use 2x8s as the flooring frame, and cover that with 3/4" plywood surrounded by 2x4s. Then go around stacking and interlocking 2x4s to build up the walls. Line the inside with 1/2" plywood, and build the front framing for the window with 4x4 posts. Run some of those 4x4s across the top for bracing too. That will be your wooden shell.
To seal it, cover all the screw holes with epoxy, then epoxy the tank. Pond Armor is what's typically used, but there are other options out there. Do the seams, then roll over the entire tank, then do the seams again and fiberglass them. Repeat this until the epoxy is as thick as you want it - at least 10mm thick. You could fiberglass the entire inside of the tank, this is going to be a lot more labor intensive but will give you added insurance for sealing and strength - up to you.
Then for your window, prime the space and silicone it, and then use posts to put pressure to hold the windows on. Pretty much all there is to it.

Read this start to finish:
This is pretty much the best plywood tank ever built IMO, it went 5 years without any complications (was only taken down because the homeowners didn't want it anymore). Rich is a member on here, but hasn't been around in quite some time. I've spoken to him several times about the design of this tank. He covers everything in that PDF in near perfect detail, but if you have any questions I can probably answer them, or I can PM you his email and I'm sure he'd be willing to help you out.
Click to expand...
Also i picked this size because my space to work with is 14' wall to wall and 5' or 6' to the couch i wanted a bit of space on each side to run the plumbing
 
Oompa Loompa said:
What is your planned filtration with the shark? Planned tankmates?
Either species you mentioned should do fine in an 11x5. If you go smaller, I would nix the bamboo idea (assuming you're talking about a brown banded bamboo). There are plenty of species that would fit in, say, a 10x4 or 8x4 though. 12x6 gives you almost every species available in the hobby.
Click to expand...
Definately want as big a build as possible. Would much rather have a bamboo also i see them at my lfs often but never seen a coral cat. I could probably make the tank wider and get closer to 10' x 5' inside dimension. Not set on filtration but i was thinking sumpless design with a pumped loop to my garage and something like this:15739802453632150230260852504969.jpg
 
Oompa Loompa said:
What is your planned filtration with the shark? Planned tankmates?
Either species you mentioned should do fine in an 11x5. If you go smaller, I would nix the bamboo idea (assuming you're talking about a brown banded bamboo). There are plenty of species that would fit in, say, a 10x4 or 8x4 though. 12x6 gives you almost every species available in the hobby.
Click to expand...
As for tank mates i dont really care... Whatever wont bother the shark or become an expensive meal
 
Those dimensions will work for sure with coral cats they only get about 2' as for bamboo cats the greys stay smaller then the browns but over all in captivity 3 to 3.5' is usual. They dont move around a ton either. My 2 bamboos got to about 2.5 feet in the 3ish years I had them in a 300g stock tank. I had some 6" pvc they liked to hide in. The coral cat was way more mobile. I needed a larger tank and when I got one the ex let me refinish the entire acrylic tank, it was 8'×4'×2.5' before saying "you arent setting that up". I'm still unsure why I even listened. That was the end of me in saltwater. Oh well live and learn should have said tank stays you go! Lol.
 
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Can i get advice on what type of wood to use (spruce fir etc) and what type of screws to use? ( My carpenter friend advised me regular screws have terrible sheer strength)
 
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