DIY tank help

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EWC88

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 8, 2012
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So I am looking at building a plywood tank for my 3 RES turtles. This tank will be going in my garage so I will not need a viewing panel, so all sides and bottom will be plywood. I am new to building a plywood tank so I have LOTS of questions. I will start it off by what is the proper wood to use? I know you build a framing of 2x4's and then attach the plywood to that, do you need any other support so plywood doesn't burst out when its filled with water? Or am I wrong about that method? Are you suppose to glue and screw the sheets together or is that not good?

This will be placed ontop of cinder blocks as a stand, I am really making this a pond almost for them, I was looking to do 600g-1000g.

Any information you think I need please let me know!
 
Ok I will have to check out lowes, homedepot, and another lumber place if they have that or can order me some in.

Do the 2x4s need to be marine grade as well?
 
That I am trying to think of, I was originally going to go with a pong liner but then I thought my turtles my rip it with their nails because they do scratch the sides of their glass tanks they are in now. I am also waiting to see what Joey is using for his 540g build that he told me he will always use now on when sealing tanks. I know for fact I wasn't looking into fiberglass. What route do you suggest?

When building the framing out of 2x4s how many inches apart should be each 2x4 beam?
 
EWC88 said:
That I am trying to think of, I was originally going to go with a pong liner but then I thought my turtles my rip it with their nails because they do scratch the sides of their glass tanks they are in now. I am also waiting to see what Joey is using for his 540g build that he told me he will always use now on when sealing tanks. I know for fact I wasn't looking into fiberglass. What route do you suggest?

When building the framing out of 2x4s how many inches apart should be each 2x4 beam?
Click to expand...
Im also looking forward to the rest of Joeys video series.
 
Glad I just got to see what he used! I am now debating, should I use the pond shield or linear? Can a turtle rip through a linear? What would you guys do?
 
EWC88 said:
Glad I just got to see what he used! I am now debating, should I use the pond shield or linear? Can a turtle rip through a linear? What would you guys do?
Click to expand...

How tall will this tank be? How deep will the water depth be (if different from the tank height)? You may not need external framing at all.

I had a friend who kept turtles in a large indoor pond with a liner. He had large areas in the corners where the liner folded over and they were very difficult to keep clean with as messy as turtles are.

I know there are seam tapes but I've never used them. There are also pre-formed liners so you can avoid the folds.

If the tank is so large that you might have trouble moving it indoors to to a new place in the future then a liner and some sort of collapseable form might be a better idea.

If the tank will be permanent or of a size that can easily be moved then I would consider a more permanent build with epoxy or some other coatable sealer.
 
EWC88 said:
Glad I just got to see what he used! I am now debating, should I use the pond shield or linear? Can a turtle rip through a linear? What would you guys do?
Click to expand...

Go with the liner, it is a lot cheaper and easier to use. Also they will not damage the liner, I have seen many turtle pond that use liners without any problems.
 
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