How much did your DIY tank cost?
- Thread starter adriggsvt
- Start date
greenterra;3808164; said:Totals for my build
Ply sheets 2700mm x 1200mm x 32mm@ $69 ea (Got these for a steal) = $276
Screws were free
Builders bog = $39
30m x 1m of 300gsm woven roving mat = $260
18L Boat Cote marine Epoxy = $340
Black epoxy pigment = $12.73
Epoxy solvent for clean up = $20
Silicone = $67
Polycarbonate lids = $60
Plumbing and lid hold down pipes = $90
36 x Besser blocks = $115
19mm Glass = $1400 delivered
Total = $2679.73
just finished this read and will be some what copy catting this for my first plywood tank thanks for the blog its been incredibly usefull
Sounds like some great projects! Don't forget your volume! The goal of this thread is to show everyone how cost effective and fun a DIY Monster Tank can be. Hopefully we will generate some new build projects. Thanks for the posts, keep 'um coming!
nolapete;3808396; said:
Sounds stupid I guess, but i was refering to all of the hours it takes for you to build the tank.
I restore cars and motorcycles as a hobby, and when i look back into how many hours I must have spent on a project I laugh. I couldnt imagine how much it would have cost to pay someone for the work I've done restoring my '69 Mustang or when I built up small blocks.
Just saying that the amount of time spent doing it yourself cant really compare to buying a pre-built tank
"Just saying that the amount of time spent doing it yourself cant really compare to buying a pre-built tank"
I don't think that way. I get paid X amount for what I'm skilled and experienced at to preform under pressure.
At zero pressure and with a nail one, beer one, pat the dog, read the paper, cut some wood, beer one, talk to a mate and beer an other one attitude...I'm worth about a buck an hour.
I don't think that way. I get paid X amount for what I'm skilled and experienced at to preform under pressure.
At zero pressure and with a nail one, beer one, pat the dog, read the paper, cut some wood, beer one, talk to a mate and beer an other one attitude...I'm worth about a buck an hour.
$2700??? wow..that kinda takes the fun out of diy. I've built a couple tanks and I'd have to say that I can build a tank for alot cheaper. Could be a price difference than the U.S.?
Take my 100g..The stand, filter, lighting, epoxy, glass and wood cost me about $250. Add another $100 and I could build a 400g. It kinda depends on how its built- The shorter the tank, the less expensive the glass. The type of wood used and the detail also contribute to cost. I can get a sheet of oak plywood for $50, birch is $40. I get my resin for about $60 a gallon. One gallon covers about 250 square feet-plenty for one tank.
You cant beat the cost of DIY if done right..Plus you get to take the credit!
Take my 100g..The stand, filter, lighting, epoxy, glass and wood cost me about $250. Add another $100 and I could build a 400g. It kinda depends on how its built- The shorter the tank, the less expensive the glass. The type of wood used and the detail also contribute to cost. I can get a sheet of oak plywood for $50, birch is $40. I get my resin for about $60 a gallon. One gallon covers about 250 square feet-plenty for one tank.
You cant beat the cost of DIY if done right..Plus you get to take the credit!
Burko;3810676; said:
I think you missed a "beer one"
A 30pack is usually the most important tool implimented in any build project... It makes the small mistakes a little easier to bear and helps keep a friend there to give you a hand
Beer aside...
On my practice project I spent about
$250.00 on wood
$176.00 on glass
$150.00 on liquid rubber
$200.00 on a pump
Total $776.00
To get a stand, tank and sump of about 1,000 ltrs
Not cheap but it was a good and enjoyable learning curve.
On my practice project I spent about
$250.00 on wood
$176.00 on glass
$150.00 on liquid rubber
$200.00 on a pump
Total $776.00
To get a stand, tank and sump of about 1,000 ltrs
Not cheap but it was a good and enjoyable learning curve.
KLee79;3810684; said:
lol..I take it this is in regards to my build. If so, take into account that my cost is in Australian $. My build is Epoxy/fiberglassed inside and out and not really comparable to the typical seal the inside only method. If you notice, the front piece of glass was $1400 alone. Imagine building this size tank in glass here. I can't buy an all glass 96"x 30"x 30"/370g tank only for under $1500 over here.
Take that dimension out to 106"x 47"x41"/885g and the cost of a glass/acrylic tank would be far more substantial than what I have built it for.
No offense, but you can't compare the build cost of a tank this big to your 100g just as I couldn't compare mine to Nolapetes build. 2 complete different methods, 2 different sizes. It is apples and oranges.
Just so were clear. You're comparing build cost difference between these, correct?
