Concrete/cinder block tank construction

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Yanbbrox

Monster hole digger
MFK Member
Oct 17, 2007
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Nr Mcr uk
I'm going to be building a tank next year and there are two options ply or block built.

I've been trying to read up on block tanks for the past couple of weeks and to be honest have got no where. The only thread I can find on here or anywhere else for that matter that works is John's 3 incarnations of his current 10k. Every other one seems to end up with problems at some stage and is never finished.

After a few days I changed my line of attack to indoor pond builds(block built large viewing window aka a fish tank), again I've come up with very little info. I can find plenty of info but not with a large viewing window.

Does anyone know of any threads/info either here(that somehow I've missed) or else where that has a completed running block built tank that can provide the info I'm looking for?

I know everyone loves a tank build but this is not the purpose of this thread I'm just researching everything at this time, not looking for 'how big is going to be?' 'stocking?' etc.

Obviously now someone will come along and post the above questions, once is funny more than once isn't:nilly:


 
I'm thinking about a ten by ten foot cinder block fish tank for my house with a seven seven foot biewing window or a eight by four viewing window as a do it yourself project when I move into my new house.

I've bought several books on cinder block and basement work such as building the base to the cinder block walls and rebar. but the biggest thing I'm woundering is about the top header steel frame that would hold the viewing window into the top three to four rows of cinder blocks. Also how would I fit the cinder blocks and the viewing window. Such as do I buy the viewing window first and leave a four or five inch base for the window and the cinder blocks to bond to one another?
 
"The only thread I can find on here or anywhere else for that matter that works is John's 3 incarnations of his current 10k. Every other one seems to end up with problems at some stage and is never finished."

Thats my memory of these threads as well.
 
So what we are saying is that John has done the only documented 3 cinder block tanks and is the luckiest person in the world for them all not to leak and run without problems?

I remember in his 5k thread he could find no one who would talk to him about sealing the windows and when he did find someone they would only talk 'off the record' and the product he used states it is not for under water use.

I really want to research all the options before committing to a plan for the new tank, be it all glass/ply or block built.

Can anyone provide any info on the block built route?

 
Hi matey, i am looking into a raised pond buiild for next year to put koi in, well after the monster tank i am building soon out of ply, to tell the truth i was at first looking into a block built tank but then decided to go ply/grp as it would be easyer to do i reckon...but lets see what you come up with if you post your ideas on here.

Anyway, if you look at a few british koi keep forums they do a lot of these raised builds and have good info on what they do, i will have a look maybe tomoz nite as i am off out in a bit for few pints and tomoz at some point picking up a new tank :), you wont get any sence out of me after LOL.

Between block and ply the main difference is you need a stainless steal frame for the window to sit in to get a good seal, but i could be wrong.

keep us informed please mate

wayne
 
waynes world;4570213; said:
Hi matey, i am looking into a raised pond buiild for next year to put koi in, well after the monster tank i am building soon out of ply, to tell the truth i was at first looking into a block built tank but then decided to go ply/grp as it would be easyer to do i reckon...but lets see what you come up with if you post your ideas on here.

Anyway, if you look at a few british koi keep forums they do a lot of these raised builds and have good info on what they do, i will have a look maybe tomoz nite as i am off out in a bit for few pints and tomoz at some point picking up a new tank :), you wont get any sence out of me after LOL.

Between block and ply the main difference is you need a stainless steal frame for the window to sit in to get a good seal, but i could be wrong.

keep us informed please mate

wayne
Been all over various koi sites when I gave up looking for tanks people had made using the building design.

I'm not saying that I want to do the tank this way, I'm just looking at the options and this option seems to have no reference material apart from John's tanks past and present. Ply is another option.

As your about 20 minutes from me I can come and visit when yours is built;)
 
John? Bobby?
 
I think these types of tanks are extremely doable. But like stated above, you need to find the right materials as stated above.

Just my opinion here, but I would build it much like John did. If I remember, he used BlueMax epoxy. I would definitely look into the types of expoxies that are designed for ponds.

The big thing here is the overall cost to build these tanks. I think many people start the projects and then underestimate the cost, time and problems that arise with these large projects.

I'll do a little digging around and see what I can come up with. Hopefully by the end of this weekend.
 
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