Howdy y'all,
Been a long time reader on this site, but never posted anything. So I have been thinking about building my own plywood tank. I have a vivarium i never finished and i am thinking of turning it into a plywood tank. Bare with me as i try to explain my idea.
The original vivarium dimensions would of been 6'Lx2'Wx3'T. I plan on laying the tank on its side. to give the dimensions 6'Lx3'Wx'2T now here is my problem. and where i would like advise. the plywood is 19/32 low grade plywood. it has been dryloked, and before i took the window portion out (the original front) it was water proof. But now I'm thinking if i build a box frame out of 2x4 studs around it, to support the plywood. could i use the ply wood i have. I know i would have to patch the bad spots. as i didn't use the smooth side for the inside. but that's not big deal.
this is how it sits now,
Even tho it will be 2 foot tall, i will be using glass from a 40g breeder using both panes. being the height of the tank matters more then the width, i plan on having 1-2 inches below the windows to hide the substrate. and still a couple of inches above the glass for air and support studs. so really it will only be 16-17 inches of water. it will be roughly 270g tank size.
Also because i build it with the height in mind i layed the backwall on top of the bottom ply, now that its on its side it is now beside the bottom with the plywood stud frame will that make a difference? i realy don't see why it would with the frame holding it. also i plan on using fiberglass in all the corners. and epoxy on the rest. or using cement board and drylok. I have seen tanks with the cement board and drylok, and will that add to the strength of the over all tank? if so i might go that route.
this is what i was talking about the back wall and floor being changed up.
But all in all, I want opinions, as to whether it is applicable. this tank isn't going to be a long term tank. more like a 2-4 yr tank until i build a bigger and better one. the reason why i ask is i don't see where the integrity of the plywood will matter if it is stud framed. My argument to that is the weight of the tank isn't outside the limits of the plywood, once the tank is framed i don't see where the plywood would be structurally unsound. But i never built a tank. only houses when i was younger, so that why i want to know from the experts.
I have done a tone of research on how to build tanks. but i also don't want this post to come off as i am trying to be one sided, i value your opinions, other wise i would not ask. In your expert opinion what do you think? thank you for your advise, and baring with me on such a long post.
P.S the 2x3 stud stand. was a quick throw together for the vivarium, it isn't what will actually be used.. tho i might use the studs to frame part of the tank. also money is an issue, i can't just run out and buy plywood on a whim. thus the reason for this post.
Been a long time reader on this site, but never posted anything. So I have been thinking about building my own plywood tank. I have a vivarium i never finished and i am thinking of turning it into a plywood tank. Bare with me as i try to explain my idea.
The original vivarium dimensions would of been 6'Lx2'Wx3'T. I plan on laying the tank on its side. to give the dimensions 6'Lx3'Wx'2T now here is my problem. and where i would like advise. the plywood is 19/32 low grade plywood. it has been dryloked, and before i took the window portion out (the original front) it was water proof. But now I'm thinking if i build a box frame out of 2x4 studs around it, to support the plywood. could i use the ply wood i have. I know i would have to patch the bad spots. as i didn't use the smooth side for the inside. but that's not big deal.
this is how it sits now,
Even tho it will be 2 foot tall, i will be using glass from a 40g breeder using both panes. being the height of the tank matters more then the width, i plan on having 1-2 inches below the windows to hide the substrate. and still a couple of inches above the glass for air and support studs. so really it will only be 16-17 inches of water. it will be roughly 270g tank size.
Also because i build it with the height in mind i layed the backwall on top of the bottom ply, now that its on its side it is now beside the bottom with the plywood stud frame will that make a difference? i realy don't see why it would with the frame holding it. also i plan on using fiberglass in all the corners. and epoxy on the rest. or using cement board and drylok. I have seen tanks with the cement board and drylok, and will that add to the strength of the over all tank? if so i might go that route.
this is what i was talking about the back wall and floor being changed up.
But all in all, I want opinions, as to whether it is applicable. this tank isn't going to be a long term tank. more like a 2-4 yr tank until i build a bigger and better one. the reason why i ask is i don't see where the integrity of the plywood will matter if it is stud framed. My argument to that is the weight of the tank isn't outside the limits of the plywood, once the tank is framed i don't see where the plywood would be structurally unsound. But i never built a tank. only houses when i was younger, so that why i want to know from the experts.
I have done a tone of research on how to build tanks. but i also don't want this post to come off as i am trying to be one sided, i value your opinions, other wise i would not ask. In your expert opinion what do you think? thank you for your advise, and baring with me on such a long post.
P.S the 2x3 stud stand. was a quick throw together for the vivarium, it isn't what will actually be used.. tho i might use the studs to frame part of the tank. also money is an issue, i can't just run out and buy plywood on a whim. thus the reason for this post.
