363 gallon build 92x34x36

[fishmanbob87]

here are some pics of yesterdays progress, the bottom is a peice of 3/4" cabinet grade oak, rest of construction is wood glue and 2x3's. i figured by using 2x3's instead of 2x4 i would gain a few inches both in length and depth. i built the corners out pretty heavily, the sides are studded every 5 inches and the rear of the tank is double studded every 7". so far so good, dont know what glass thickness i am going to go with yet or even where to get the glass from... should i look around locally or shop online?? hope you like, i will keep this one going with weekly pics and updates until the build is done.

hope you enjoy !!!

 

[B_IN_SD]

Good start ! Good size too

 

[fishmanbob87]

thanks, i would liked to have gone bigger but this will do. i think that my aro's and growing collection of pbass will live much more comfortably in here than in their current 240. inner demensions of the build are roughly 87"x28". has anybody ever made an acrylic brace for the top of their build?? i was thinking i would do this because i won't have to coat it in any of the resins i am using and the light will be able to penetrate thru. what are your thoughts?? i was thinking of using maybe 1/2 inch acrylic sheet to do so.

 

[sashimimaster]

Just make sure you support the acrylic evenly. It will bow and sag over time.

 

[Inglorious]

Wow, talk about overbuilding your stand, but are you going to add bracing in the center to prevent sagging?

 

[fishmanbob87]

Wow, talk about overbuilding your stand, but are you going to add bracing in the center to prevent sagging?

what you see in the pics will be the tank when completed not the stand, the studs you see are external bracing so the tank does not bow a break a seam. and i know that even the tank may be a bit overbuilt for some of you, but i will sleep better at night knowing everything is solid.

 

[brich999]

compare glass prices, a lot of places looked at me like i had 2 heads when i was shopping, but one place could beat online and i didnt have to wait for freight. ended up going different route though

 

[fishmanbob87]

here are some pics of this afternoon's progress. everything is finished being framed out, i have to attach the plywood sides and then drill the holes for the overflows. there will be 2 on each end of the tank. everything will be filled in and sanded. monday's project should be the first layer of water proofing which will be west systems epoxy and fiberglass matt along all the seams. than we will sand again and coat with pond armor in "champion blue" color.

 

[douwe]

interesting build, it sure helps if you can sleep at night, to much water to get a leak

 

[fishmanbob87]

no... haha ... thats what my father said. yea, came out nice and sturdy tho, just curious is a 1.5 inch lip enough for the span of glass i have to use??