523 gallon plywood build (pic heavy)

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
So much for that idea, my wife didn't like the one in the 75 gallon and she said she doesn't want one in this tank.... so black it is :) Went out and bought 400lbs of white sand today and grabbed a bag of lava rock peices so I took out half the packing peanuts in the bio towers and replaced it with the lava rock, hopefully the massive surface area of the lava rock will make ofr even more efficient filtration. Back to waiting to test fill......
 
As for your question on cure time for silicone. It depends on how thick the bead is. If it's a 1/4" bead then probably a few hours is all it needs. But if it's like a 2" bead it takes a lot longer to cure all the way through. I don't think there's a set rule for cure time.

And yes, I would agree to have a center brace. With that much water are you willing to risk bowing and leaking? "An ounce of prevention....." But why metal strip? Why not wood? Metal rusts eventually unless you powder coat it.
 
"looks good wished I had the floor support for a project like that."

Thanks, I would have never attempted this without a basement to put it in, I would be scared to death of what I would come home to one day if this was on the first floor, thank goodness for concrete floors and basements!

"And yes, I would agree to have a center brace. With that much water are you willing to risk bowing and leaking? "An ounce of prevention....." But why metal strip? Why not wood? Metal rusts eventually unless you powder coat it."


I used a powder coated metal strip made for outdoor shelving basically. I needed something strong, yet very thin as it was going right over the middle of my overflow box that I would need access to. If it ever does start to rust for w/e reason I can just replace it.

"Can't wait to see it fully set up"

Test filling this friday! I'm excited and nervous. I have the sand, rock, wood and fish waiting to go.....just need a leak free box! I am confident that I overdid everything enough that I should be good.......but I bet everyone that ever had a leak thought the same thing so I am still quite nervous about it.

-Scott
 
Small update, started filling the tank. Going to take it nice and slow, probably a few inches a day....time to cross my fingers, knock on wood, throw salt over the shoulder....w/e it's going to take!

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woo this is a sweet setup man! cant wait to see it filled really hope it wont leak. any plans on a stock?

Thanks! My initial plan was to do the typical stingray, arowana tank but I remembered I'll be taking a month long vacation this year....not a good idea with those fish. Then I thought a huge shoal of gold piranhas which would be easy to feed with an auto feeder but my wife said no to that lol. So, I am going back to my favorite fish...tanganyikan cichlids. With the rockwork and some driftwood a nice schoal of tropheus and featherfins should make for a nice display and easy to keep. I plan on adding fish to occupy each niche, some sand sifters, shell dwellers, open water, mid water and rock dwelling species. I just hope it turns out like I have it imagined in my mind :)
 
you just completely inspired me, I was on the fence of building a 270 plywood tank, but now I need to try it. I might make it 180 gallons by going from 72x36x24 to 72x24x24.
 
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