Need help on design for my aquarium

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gar man

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jul 9, 2008
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I had an idea on how to arrange the stuff in my room to where I could actually build a monster tank. It will be 7' X 2' X 30" and will hold 262 gallons on water. the stand I plan on making out of screwed together 2X4's and the stand will measure 7' X 2' X 2'. What I need to have help with the following:

What should I coat the inside with to make it waterproof?
How would I heat it?
What would be the estimated cost?
Maybe a few design plans would be nice to.

I have a way to make some $ right now by making Clay aquariums (which you can check out here: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=395856 )
As this is my first ever diy aquarium made of plywood what I would like is and input on how to make it and what do I do to make it and really anything that could help me out. The current stock will be 1 female bluegill, 3 Senegal bichirs, 1 female pink convict. I plan on getting a few different kinds of bichirs to put into it. This build will start next fall in woods 3A for me. So that means I have a few months to make enough money to do so.
 
How are you planning on bracing it? Will it just be a plywood box, with some plywood eurobracing at the top? Or will there be substantial 2x4 reinforcement around the exterior of the box? This will determine what you use to seal it, as well as what type of viewing window you'll have.

If you want to just have a plywood box, then you need to seal it with something that will remain flexible over time, and can flex with the plywood box as it is filled/emptied, etc. If you have a stout 2x4 frame to really firm up the box, then you can use something like fiberglass and epoxy which will make it a very rigid tank.

As far as viewing window, the more flexible plywood box would probably be easier to seal with an acrylic window, and the stiffer, epoxy coated box would work well with glass (or acrylic, I guess).

Check the sticky on different coatings to get an idea of how easy or difficult they are.
 
I think I will reinforce the sides, but how would I go about doing so? Also what would be the best way to heat a tank this large?
 
yea i would spend A LOT of time researching in here before you even think of doing this. also check on cost yourself, i found that only one place within 100 miles would be able to get my the sheet of glass for me and it cost as much as a used acrylic tank
 
I plan on it, I just need to know what to look for and what to avoid.
 
These are some draw ups of what I plan on it, sorry their blurry cell phone pics.

262 tank.JPG

262 stand.JPG
 
It would be a good idea to just buy a tank but I want the experience to build an aquarium. This will be the first but I assure you not the last that I build. I just want a bit under my belt for later on in life. Thanks for the link though, I will keep that in mind :)
 
Ahhh cool, getting a few tank builds under the belt is a good idea and also fun :D please keep posting updates
 
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