First Project Advice

[D_Aaron_B]

Hi everybody,

I've been reading some threads on the site and decided to sign up. I'm looking to start my first DIY tank project and I have a few questions. I've kept aquariums my entire life but I'd like to delve into some of the more advanced filtration for this project. This will be fresh water by the way.

I'd like to create a 4'x2'x4' main tank with a 1'x2'x1' section on the top that will be an above water section.
Essentially this:

The tank would be build out of plywood and then fiberglassed. There would be a viewing panel on the front, and possibly one on the left side.

My questions:

1. Should I use glass or acrylic? How thick should the panels be?
2. I want to use a canister filter. How should I set that up? I'd like the plumbing to be as hidden as possible.
3. I'm not familiar with overflows, should I have one?

Any advice in addition to these answers would be most welcome! Thanks!

 

[fuzzlebug]

Firstly welcome secondly I'm no expert, just a lot of research here too.
1: whicher you can find the cheapest, yeah acrylic has better clarity but glass is still great.if its only going to be 2' tall you could get away with 12mm glass or acrylic, but research it alittle. There's great threads on here about glass thickness.
2: you should look into a sump system, canisters are great but they tend to only work in smaller setups, with a tank this size you'll need a couple big canisters, like 2 or 3 fx6's, that'll be pricey. If you've never done a sump don't be intimidated, there easier than you think. If you're making the tank out of plywood (which also I would look into other options to seal it, like pond armour, you can find tons of build info here, its easier than fibreglass) you can drill holes, or intakes, into the tank before waterproofing it, these intakes will take the water to the sump.
3: you can have overflows, which work great and are a good way to set a predesignated water level but take up a bit of room in the tank or intakes cut into the tank with PVC pipes cut to the height you want.again just research it on here.
If your serious about building a great setup that'll be the best for your fish, this is the place to get all the info and help.

 

[fuzzlebug]

I just re read the intro, if your tank is 4' tall that'll need seriously thick glass, glass thickness increases dramatically as the height increases.

 

[D_Aaron_B]

Firstly welcome secondly I'm no expert, just a lot of research here too.
1: whicher you can find the cheapest, yeah acrylic has better clarity but glass is still great.if its only going to be 2' tall you could get away with 12mm glass or acrylic, but research it alittle. There's great threads on here about glass thickness.
2: you should look into a sump system, canisters are great but they tend to only work in smaller setups, with a tank this size you'll need a couple big canisters, like 2 or 3 fx6's, that'll be pricey. If you've never done a sump don't be intimidated, there easier than you think. If you're making the tank out of plywood (which also I would look into other options to seal it, like pond armour, you can find tons of build info here, its easier than fibreglass) you can drill holes, or intakes, into the tank before waterproofing it, these intakes will take the water to the sump.
3: you can have overflows, which work great and are a good way to set a predesignated water level but take up a bit of room in the tank or intakes cut into the tank with PVC pipes cut to the height you want.again just research it on here.
If your serious about building a great setup that'll be the best for your fish, this is the place to get all the info and help.

Thank you!

The tank will actually be 4' tall, so the panes might need to be a little thicker. I'll definitely start researching sump systems and pond armor.

 

[D_Aaron_B]

I just re read the intro, if your tank is 4' tall that'll need seriously thick glass, glass thickness increases dramatically as the height increases.

So acrylic then probably. I'm going to call a local glass place (that I'm sure deals in acrylic as well) and see what they say.