DIY PLywood tank costs.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
My first build I have decided on West systems Epoxy ( I Think ) I can get it locally and will be $130 for 1.5 gallons covering about 300 sq ft. about 2x what I need. But will do the DIY filter also. Choose a sealant that will work for you, I do not plan moving this tank more than one time. (When the Wife and I buy a house) so I am leaning to the epoxy for the color options. More than black.

Good Luck, and remember Search button is your friend ;) You will find a wealth of great information on this forum.


Bear
 
Scottswald yes I was referring to tanks with a build of around 3ft in height. The taller the tank the more water pressure. You can refer to glass thickness threads on that info. Whenever framing a larger, it was always like you see on many posts here at MFK. The frame is built and plywood lined within. But again there are many different ways to build a tank out of wood.
 
i have a question, i myself am planing to build a tank of plywood for the first time so im looking around for the materials i can use, i found a place where can get a 1/4'' thick plexi glass thats 8'x4' same size as a piece of ply wood. i was wondering if i make my tank 2' deep buy cutting the plexi in half would it hold the the water or wold the plexi break? tank will be 7' long 2' high 3'deep... any thoughts?
 
Bazinga;3970300; said:
i have a question, i myself am planing to build a tank of plywood for the first time so im looking around for the materials i can use, i found a place where can get a 1/4'' thick plexi glass thats 8'x4' same size as a piece of ply wood. i was wondering if i make my tank 2' deep buy cutting the plexi in half would it hold the the water or wold the plexi break? tank will be 7' long 2' high 3'deep... any thoughts?
Click to expand...

1/4" plexiglass is not going to come anywhere near holding that much water. That plexiglass might be great to build a sump out of but that is about it. For a tank that size, you are looking at 1/2" plexiglass or thicker depending on the bracing. Now, something I did many many years ago was build a 379G tank out of wood and I lined the inside with 1/4" plexiglass and had a 1/2" plexiglass viewing window. I used silicone on the seams and it worked. I understand now that silicone does not bond well with plexiglass, good thing I did not know that back then!
 
Is the liquid rubber also good for salt water?
 
Yep, http://www.liquidrubber.ca/testimonials/Case Study Marine aquarium.pdf

Vezlar/Zavlar is same thing as Pond Coat/Rubber Coat. Just the name that Permadri uses for it. They are sole licensee to manufacture the Liquid Rubber product line in US.

And just to be clear, the acrylic they sprayed over the Vezlar was to change the color NOT protect it from saltwater.
 
BadOleRoss;3971193; said:
1/4" plexiglass is not going to come anywhere near holding that much water. That plexiglass might be great to build a sump out of but that is about it. For a tank that size, you are looking at 1/2" plexiglass or thicker depending on the bracing. Now, something I did many many years ago was build a 379G tank out of wood and I lined the inside with 1/4" plexiglass and had a 1/2" plexiglass viewing window. I used silicone on the seams and it worked. I understand now that silicone does not bond well with plexiglass, good thing I did not know that back then!
Click to expand...

ok thank you very much
 
saving money by doing it DIY starts at around 300 Gallons. under that if you calculate your time its hard to justify. also there is more pride in a DIY tank than a store bought one. if you are concientious with your spending and watch for deals you can also save money. case in point: I picked up 8 sheets of 1" 9ply birch Plywood G2S for $40 a sheet it was normally double that price. also shop around for your glass or acrylic before you build. sometimes you can pick up a miscut piece for cheep. I got a 6'X3' piece of 12mm for $75 I will have to cut it down a bit for my project but at that price I couldn't complain. I got 10 tubes of silicone for $15 also a significnt savings. now I just need my Zavlar and I will be building it.
 
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