If you're gonna dream....dream big (or long)

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J

James0816

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 1, 2007
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Now granted this may just wind up being a pipe dream and I'll just wind up with at most a 10' tank. (lol....at most a 10' tank). Now ain't that something. :)

So anyway, I'll get the meat and potatoes of this posting. I'm planning on adding a tank to my recroom that as it stands will either be 8' or 10' long. This will result in having about 3' empty space on each side. I can fill it with other things as it will of course be a recroom.

So then the wheels really started to turn and I said to myself...."self....what if you were to just build the tank the entire length of the wall?". My first thought was "cha...right!" but then upon second thought...I though why not?

Of course I would have to use two panes of glass for this but my question is...the bottom and the back as I would have to join two pieces of plywood. ouch!

How would this feat be accomplished?

Again, probably will wind up a pipe dream but the mind really wants to know..... And since this is the home of the ]V[onster Tanks....why not ask the experts.

Thanks
 
Sure it's possible, just overlap & support the joint so it can't pull apart, glue / fill / seal entire tank.

If your not going to use a flexible liner or sealer, the tank most be made completely rigid. Fiberglass and resin coatings will crack, separate and leak with flexure.

Don't skimp on bracing or plywood thickness (I'd suggest 2 layers of 3/4 plywood). Remember you could be dealing with 2 tons of water and fish.

Check out the ones built on here, there are some awesome tanks. http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126297 for starters.

Dr Joe

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that is my plans as well , I have two 7ft pieces of glas, I plan on making a 15ft long, 3ft wide and 24" high in our new addition, it will become the divider between the new dinig room and living room
 
kumdoalan - thx ... I have already been reading up on the plywood tanks. my question was geared toward connecting plywood to make one long tank.

dr. j....thx for your insight. have to get a new plan drawn up and present it to the wife. maybe a few bottles of wine first before i say i want to change the plans. :ROFL:
 
Dr Joe;1642883; said:
If your not going to use a flexible liner or sealer, the tank most be made completely rigid. Fiberglass and resin coatings will crack, separate and leak with flexure.

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Click to expand...

Now this is an interesting statement. I've read a ton of people using fiberglass and epoxy resins for their builds. My original 8' tank called for this application as well. Is this not good? What would be an appropriate coating then?

thx again
 
If you make the plywood joint so that it's very firm and cant move, then I could see Fibergalss used.
But I dont think you could trust fiberglass to hold a plywood joint from movement by itself.

fiberglass works well on a 8 foot tank because most lumber like plywood comes in 8 foot long sections, so a 8 foot long tank has no joint in the middle.
A 10 foot long plywood tank is going to have a joint someplace along the sides.
You can find 10 foot long 2x4s and 2x6s and 4x4s, but I have never seen a 10 foot long sheet of plywood.

More than likley if you wanted to use fiberglass for a liner on a 10 foot long tank you would need a real good frame all the way around the plywood to support the plywood and keep it from any movement
 
That sounds so familiar ;).

Your right about the 10 foot length...BUT it does come in 12 foot :D.

Dr Joe

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thx again...i have seen some 3/4" ply at HD that was either 10' or 12'. I just quickly glanced at it while walking by thinking to myself "why would someone need a sheet that long". just like 10' or 12' sheetrock. ;o)

I know for the initial build, I will be putting 2" screws every 3" apart.
 
I had read on another forum that some people were exploring the "paint on" rubber bed liners for trucks. It's flexible, semi easy to work with, and is very very durable. I still have a 14' tank in the back of my mind, but the wife says no till the bathrooms get remodeled:cry:


Neo
 
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