Before I disappoint anyone there are no construction pictures yet, because I haven't started. Saturday will possibly be day 1 of actual construction, assuming that I do not go sturgeon fishing... If I do Sunday will be the day I start.
(cliff notes at bottom)
Anyway on to the subject at hand. The dimensions of the tank will be 6' x 3' x 2.5' for a total of 336.6 gallons. Filtration will be a ~85 gallon sump (plywood as well) although I have not figured out what pump to use yet. Anyone have any suggestions?
Here is a 3D image (google sketchup) of my plans for the tank:
The top brace will be a single sheet of 3/4 plywood (I should mention the entire tank will be 3/4 ply) with a 8" center brace, and 4" lip around the rest of the tank. Viewing area will be a 3" lip all around. Glass will be .5" from a local company. I'm not 100% which direction I'm going to go for epoxy on the inside. On one hand Pond Armor is well known as a good product, but its crazy expensive. Then there is the Permi-Dri I've been reading about which is much cheaper. I was quoted $107 shipped for a gallon, where as the Pond Armor was close to $300 for a gallon. I'm open to other suggestions if anyone has any?
My biggest concern so far is my design for the stand. Here is the image of what I was thinking of doing.
It's all done with 2"x4" construction because it would mean I would have to buy less material (I would only need to buy 2 more 10' lengths to have enough material) However I'm concerned that maybe it will not be strong enough? It has to support 2,827 pounds, which will be more like 3200 after it's all said and done I think. That picture is the skeleton, will be skinned with 1/4 plywood on all the sides and have 3/4" on the top and for the floor (for the sump to sit on) and have doors on the front and side for accessing the sump.
Stocking... Well I'm building this tank for the sole purpose of wanting a Lima Shovelnose cat. So aside from that I have no idea what will go in this tank. I really like catfish so possibly a Black Lancer cat? Maybe a shoal of Silver dollars? Tinfoil barbs? Silver Aro? I don't know, I'm going to let MFK decide for me.
Cliff notes:
-Building 336gal 6x3x2.5 plywood tank
-Need suggestions for pump for the sump
-Pond armor, Permi-Dri, other?
-Will my stand design be able to hold 3,200 pounds?
-Stocking will be catfish, open to suggestions however a Lima Shovelnose cat is a must
Thanks for looking. Expect an update on Sunday at the very latest. I may be able to get started Thursday depending on how work goes.
(cliff notes at bottom)
Anyway on to the subject at hand. The dimensions of the tank will be 6' x 3' x 2.5' for a total of 336.6 gallons. Filtration will be a ~85 gallon sump (plywood as well) although I have not figured out what pump to use yet. Anyone have any suggestions?
Here is a 3D image (google sketchup) of my plans for the tank:
The top brace will be a single sheet of 3/4 plywood (I should mention the entire tank will be 3/4 ply) with a 8" center brace, and 4" lip around the rest of the tank. Viewing area will be a 3" lip all around. Glass will be .5" from a local company. I'm not 100% which direction I'm going to go for epoxy on the inside. On one hand Pond Armor is well known as a good product, but its crazy expensive. Then there is the Permi-Dri I've been reading about which is much cheaper. I was quoted $107 shipped for a gallon, where as the Pond Armor was close to $300 for a gallon. I'm open to other suggestions if anyone has any?
My biggest concern so far is my design for the stand. Here is the image of what I was thinking of doing.
It's all done with 2"x4" construction because it would mean I would have to buy less material (I would only need to buy 2 more 10' lengths to have enough material) However I'm concerned that maybe it will not be strong enough? It has to support 2,827 pounds, which will be more like 3200 after it's all said and done I think. That picture is the skeleton, will be skinned with 1/4 plywood on all the sides and have 3/4" on the top and for the floor (for the sump to sit on) and have doors on the front and side for accessing the sump.
Stocking... Well I'm building this tank for the sole purpose of wanting a Lima Shovelnose cat. So aside from that I have no idea what will go in this tank. I really like catfish so possibly a Black Lancer cat? Maybe a shoal of Silver dollars? Tinfoil barbs? Silver Aro? I don't know, I'm going to let MFK decide for me.
Cliff notes:
-Building 336gal 6x3x2.5 plywood tank
-Need suggestions for pump for the sump
-Pond armor, Permi-Dri, other?
-Will my stand design be able to hold 3,200 pounds?
-Stocking will be catfish, open to suggestions however a Lima Shovelnose cat is a must
Thanks for looking. Expect an update on Sunday at the very latest. I may be able to get started Thursday depending on how work goes.
