4' 90 Gallon converted to 240 4' Square Plywood and Glass Build

[imusuallyuseless]

I really really apologize if it's against the rules to post this, but this topic reminded me of a project I did a few years ago. Turned a 55G into a 180G, which might have some relevance to your project... http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=130014&start=0


In any case I wish you good luck

 

[nolapete]

Any pictures of the finished product? Looks quite different than what I'm doing even though the concept of expanding an existing tank is the same.

 

[imusuallyuseless]

Any pictures of the finished product? Looks quite different than what I'm doing even though the concept of expanding an existing tank is the same.

Never had the opportunity to properly finish the exterior of the tank like I wanted. It was built as cheaply as possible anyway. The tank ended up staying like this for a year before I sold it...

 

[nolapete]

Nice. I'm guessing the smaller windows are the side pieces?

 

[xdragonxb0i]

so what do you use to waterproof the inside?

i got a 90x24x24 tank, that im selling, maybe use it for a DIY build.

 

[imusuallyuseless]

Nice. I'm guessing the smaller windows are the side pieces?

Yes sir. Used the front(48x20") as the center and used both side(~12x20") pieces on either side to give me a total of a 6' tank. I would've tried for an 8' tank utilizing both front/back pieces of the 55G, but plywood comes in sheets that's just very slightly under 8', whereas the two glass pieces would've been just slightly over 8' so there wouldn't have been enough clearance on the inside to seal the glass in place. I would've had to completely redesign the tank to make it work. Anywhoo, best of luck w/your build, I'll be watching

 

[nolapete]

so what do you use to waterproof the inside?

i got a 90x24x24 tank, that im selling, maybe use it for a DIY build.

I'm going to use Permadri Pond Coat. I'm thinking about doing a test on one of them and use Ame's Blue Max.

 

[xdragonxb0i]

i was just wondering, how are u gonna build the frame?

Just a plywood box, or plywood box with 2x4 reinforcement.

i seen some people just do the plywood box, do you think about the structural integrity of plywood box tanks

 

[broken]

Hey pete, do you use birch plywood or something cheaper.
the reason im asking is that im thinking of doing a build something like yours but with an internal and external wall on a 2x4 frame so i can fill it with insulation which will double the amount of plywood needed and birch is like 40 bucks a sheet.
the reason for the insulation is that its going to be on my back porch.

 

[nolapete]

xdragonxb0i, the pictures and description show how it's put together. Read through and you'll look at those and it'll be crystal clear.

broken, just using regular plywood, not anything special and not birch by any means. If it's going to be outside, I'd used exterior grade plywood. Mine will be indoors and I'll be painting the exterior with Barn and Fence paint.

Since I can't work that much on the big tank, I'm most likely going to go get some materials for these first three tanks that I'm building at the same time. Yes, 3 at once. The design is that simple.