My idea for a DIY plywood aquarium

[coolkeith]

Did you have to lay the tank on that side to make the fillet? or was the calcium carbonate powder hold it together enough to keep it from dripping?

Yup, I put the tank on it's sides diagonally to pour the fillets.

A heavy 8 ft x 5 ft tank like the one your designing might be too difficult to maneuver though. It could also fall apart or crack the seams under it's own weight if it's not braced enough. So you should probably avoid putting stressful loads on the corners like that, if you're not sure. You could use MAX BOND THIXOTROPIC for corner fillets since it won't sag or drip. Or you could just fiberglass the corner seams, which is probably the easiest way to go. Or do both. Applying Max Bond Thixotropic would be more difficult. You'd need to load it into a caulking tub, large syringe, or pastry bag, apply it to the joint, then smooth it out with a filleting tool (or the back of a spoon.) It could get messy, but I've seen it done. Polymer Products has a nice tutorial on how to build a 220 plywood tank using Max ACR and Max Bond on their ebay page. Here's the link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/EPOXY-RESIN...438?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33821b5cee

 

[coolkeith]

I'm not sure about silicone either, so I'm probably using 3M5200 Marine Sealant to adhere the glass window to Epoxy Resin/plywood frame. Haven't gotten that far with my build yet, but I do believe 3M5200 is the best stuff for the job.

 

[Big Fish Freak]

Yup, I put the tank on it's sides diagonally to pour the fillets.
*insert pic*

A heavy 8 ft x 5 ft tank like the one your designing might be too difficult to maneuver though. It could also fall apart or crack the seams under it's own weight if it's not braced enough. So you should probably avoid putting stressful loads on the corners like that, if you're not sure. You could use MAX BOND THIXOTROPIC for corner fillets since it won't sag or drip. Or you could just fiberglass the corner seams, which is probably the easiest way to go. Or do both. Applying Max Bond Thixotropic would be more difficult. You'd need to load it into a caulking tub, large syringe, or pastry bag, apply it to the joint, then smooth it out with a filleting tool (or the back of a spoon.) It could get messy, but I've seen it done. Polymer Products has a nice tutorial on how to build a 220 plywood tank using Max ACR and Max Bond on their ebay page. Here's the link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/EPOXY-RESIN...438?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33821b5cee

That's a fairly interesting picture of a tank...haha..I don't think I've ever seen a tank strike that pose before..I was thinking this build would be too heavy to lean like that which is why I asked if you leaned it..I will be for sure fiber-glassing the seams..and unless it is a bad idea I plan on just putting extra coats on all the seams as well just for safety's sake..

 

[Big Fish Freak]

I will see if I can find anything on silicone and epoxy but I think I have seen it before somewhere..either way at least now I know what I can use if it doesnt work

 

[coolkeith]

That's a fairly interesting picture of a tank...haha..I don't think I've ever seen a tank strike that pose before..

Yeah, it's an expandable modular aquarium. I want to build a long river tank that is truly portable and lightweight enough for me to handle by myself, since getting a helper when I need one sometimes isn't possible. I played most of my tank moving favor cards already also. My local friends are probably sick of helping me my move tanks since they aren't fish keepers. One time, to get an 8 foot tank into my fishroom I had to go through a window. To get it out of the fishroom, I couldn't find help when I needed it, so I had to chop it up. So I either need to find new friends that will help me move tanks whenever I need them or build tanks that I can easily move by myself without destroying them. 5 foot tanks are quite easy to move. So I'll be building modular tanks for now on, which that can be taken apart, expanded, moved, and reassembled by one person. It's more expensive and time consuming than normal DIY tanks, but it's really the only way to go forward for me.

 

[Big Fish Freak]

Yeah, it's an expandable modular aquarium. I want to build a long river tank that is truly portable and lightweight enough for me to handle by myself, since getting a helper when I need one sometimes isn't possible. I played most of my tank moving favor cards already also. My local friends are probably sick of helping me my move tanks since they aren't fish keepers. One time, to get an 8 foot tank into my fishroom I had to go through a window. To get it out of the fishroom, I couldn't find help when I needed it, so I had to chop it up. So I either need to find new friends that will help me move tanks whenever I need them or build tanks that I can easily move by myself without destroying them. 5 foot tanks are quite easy to move. So I'll be building modular tanks for now on, which that can be taken apart, expanded, moved, and reassembled by one person. It's more expensive and time consuming than normal DIY tanks, but it's really the only way to go forward for me.

trust me, I know the tank move card situation..back when I first started fishkeeping, I had to move my 150 gallon and when I moved, I said we needed to leave about 5" of water in it...there was just 3 of us to move it and now any time I need to move a tank my buddies always cringe...but now I never leave anything in a tank when I move it so they havent completely given up..

I like the modular idea..how do you plan on connecting them? Do you have a build thread up yet? I definitely wanna see that.

 

[coolkeith]

No build thread yet. I wanted to get near having water in the tank 1st. I'm already about 18 months into this project, and didn't want a thread that would drag on forever like I knew mine would have. Nothing is more annoying than reading a 20+ page build thread and finally getting to the end, only to find out that no water is in the tank yet. Simply put, my work pace is too slow. My main obstacle, is that I had to wait for good weather because the build was being done in an unheated garage. Glue won't glue and epoxy won't cure when it's below 50 or 60F degrees. I'm in Michigan, where it's below 50F degrees probably more than 50% of the year. I like boating and traveling when it's warm out too, so there's not a lot of optimal weather here for building tanks outdoors. Good news is that I have finally moved this ever lasting build indoors. I knocked out a wall and closet in my utility room to give me just enough space so I can finish this build in the great indoors. I only have a few more things to epoxy before I can put the windows in place, and then fill the tank with water. I'd probably have that done by now if it weren't for football and video games..... Then again, got more important work to do in my crawlspace. Got some kind of moisture/mold issue down there that I need to take care of.

Oh, for connecting the tanks, it's like having 2 plywood tanks inside 1 plywood tank. It's like how I suggested you use 2 layers of ply for the bottom when connecting plywood together, but with a modular tank you do that to every side. I used dowel pins to line up and connect the tanks also, but they won't be glued. Removable FRP panels will be siliconed into place to seal the inside connection seams. Waterproofed plywood reinforcement panels are screwed into place around the outside connection joints.

It took me a good 6 months of planning/purchasing before I got my 1st piece of wood cut. Spent a week or two building a 10' x 4' work bench, so that I'd have a clean flat surface to work on. That's been a big difference maker. It's made everything so much easier, but I kind of wish I built 2 work benches. I never have any empty work space, so I usually have to clear off my work bench to do something. It seems like I spend more time organizing junk or tools, cleaning up sawdust, than building this tank.

 

[Big Fish Freak]

No build thread yet. I wanted to get near having water in the tank 1st. I'm already about 18 months into this project, and didn't want a thread that would drag on forever like I knew mine would have. Nothing is more annoying than reading a 20+ page build thread and finally getting to the end, only to find out that no water is in the tank yet. Simply put, my work pace is too slow. My main obstacle, is that I had to wait for good weather because the build was being done in an unheated garage. Glue won't glue and epoxy won't cure when it's below 50 or 60F degrees. I'm in Michigan, where it's below 50F degrees probably more than 50% of the year. I like boating and traveling when it's warm out too, so there's not a lot of optimal weather here for building tanks outdoors. Good news is that I have finally moved this ever lasting build indoors. I knocked out a wall and closet in my utility room to give me just enough space so I can finish this build in the great indoors. I only have a few more things to epoxy before I can put the windows in place, and then fill the tank with water. I'd probably have that done by now if it weren't for football and video games..... Then again, got more important work to do in my crawlspace. Got some kind of moisture/mold issue down there that I need to take care of.

Oh, for connecting the tanks, it's like having 2 plywood tanks inside 1 plywood tank. It's like how I suggested you use 2 layers of ply for the bottom when connecting plywood together, but with a modular tank you do that to every side. I used dowel pins to line up and connect the tanks also, but they won't be glued. Removable FRP panels will be siliconed into place to seal the inside connection seams. Waterproofed plywood reinforcement panels are screwed into place around the outside connection joints.

It took me a good 6 months of planning/purchasing before I got my 1st piece of wood cut. Spent a week or two building a 10' x 4' work bench, so that I'd have a clean flat surface to work on. That's been a big difference maker. It's made everything so much easier, but I kind of wish I built 2 work benches. I never have any empty work space, so I usually have to clear off my work bench to do something. It seems like I spend more time organizing junk or tools, cleaning up sawdust, than building this tank.

Well, I will definitely be your first subscriber to that thread when you get it goin... If it weren't for video games and 15hr days at work I would probably be half way done with my build, aside from waiting for the right time to pull funds...It's been so busy lately I haven't even had time to design or calculate the cost of my stand and plumbing..I am getting frustrated with how long it's taking to get this started..and with the arapaima eating like a black hole it won't be long before I need to move him out of the tank he is in..

So does the water flow between tanks or are they just connected together and look like one big tank? Either way it seems like a good idea and I may just have to use that idea for some nice displays in my shop..I need to clean out my garage before I can start the build..I have been doing a small amount of cleaning in the few hours I get to myself away from work but I haven't cleared out a spot to work yet..I'm close though. A table would be a good idea.

I have been considering putting the stand on casters so that I can move it around without help, at least while it's empty. I have also thought about having a buddy build a steel stand for me just for extra support and less work for me but we will see. Kinda takes out the fun of the DIY part of it.

 

[coolkeith]

Well, I will definitely be your first subscriber to that thread when you get it goin... If it weren't for video games and 15hr days at work I would probably be half way done with my build, aside from waiting for the right time to pull funds...It's been so busy lately I haven't even had time to design or calculate the cost of my stand and plumbing..I am getting frustrated with how long it's taking to get this started..and with the arapaima eating like a black hole it won't be long before I need to move him out of the tank he is in..

So does the water flow between tanks or are they just connected together and look like one big tank? Either way it seems like a good idea and I may just have to use that idea for some nice displays in my shop..I need to clean out my garage before I can start the build..I have been doing a small amount of cleaning in the few hours I get to myself away from work but I haven't cleared out a spot to work yet..I'm close though. A table would be a good idea.

I have been considering putting the stand on casters so that I can move it around without help, at least while it's empty. I have also thought about having a buddy build a steel stand for me just for extra support and less work for me but we will see. Kinda takes out the fun of the DIY part of it.

It just looks and acts like one big tank. You won't even be able to tell it's modular.
Here's a shot I took of it when it was last mocked up:

 

[Big Fish Freak]

So a couple other questions while they are fresh in my head:

Is the 8oz container of epoxy colorant enough to color the 2 gallons of epoxy or will I need two of the colorant cans?

When drilling holes for plumbing, is it better to drill the holes before waterproofing or drill them after waterproofing? I would imagine before for a few reasons, but I don't really know as I have only dealt with drilled glass aquariums..obviously I am gonna waterproof the insides of the holes I drill just in case any leaks form around the bulkheads..

Whatcha guys think?