Well, I discovered this forum just a few days ago and was completely blown away by the idea of a plywood tank. I am a huge lover of big tanks, but have big dogs and young kids and the idea of a big glass tank scared me. I also sound that it was very cost prohibitive. So I had given up on big tanks.
Till I found MFK!!!
I have been researching night and day, and decided to jump in. Even though I am a girl, I build everything I can from ferret cages, to horse barns. I am pretty handy with tools.
Anyhow, I did all my calculations last night, thanks to the links here on the forum.
What I came up with was 60" x 24" x 24". This puts me at 149 point something, but 150 gals sounds better
I got the plywood. I opted for the very nice stuff, as I figured it needed to be
It was $32 for the one sheet, and I had them cut it as needed. I have back, sides, bottom and center support. I am going to go see some friends (carpenters) tomorrow and see if they have pieces I can use for the faceplates, perhaps another type of wood that will look better stained. Any ideas or suggestions?
So, right now I have my pieces, decking screws, wood glue, sandpaper and an epoxy wood filler that will take and hold marine epoxy.
For additional support, I am thinking about going around the inside top and bottom with 1" wood, yes no?
I will also build a 2 x 4 stand for this tank as well.
Filter suggestions?
Also, I suppose I should mention that I will be planning to house my sengals, possibly a couple/few additional polys, some cichlids and maybe a top dweller or two. Open to ideas here.
Anyone interested in pics along this process
In addition, I had an idea for an octogonal tank. I think it will be an easier build than this one! I should even be able to get cracked tanks and use the good glass off them to save me from having to put too much into multiple pieces of new glass. This one is still in the idea-level though, I will be working on planning it out and might build simultaneously...
Till I found MFK!!!
I have been researching night and day, and decided to jump in. Even though I am a girl, I build everything I can from ferret cages, to horse barns. I am pretty handy with tools.
Anyhow, I did all my calculations last night, thanks to the links here on the forum.
What I came up with was 60" x 24" x 24". This puts me at 149 point something, but 150 gals sounds better
I got the plywood. I opted for the very nice stuff, as I figured it needed to be
It was $32 for the one sheet, and I had them cut it as needed. I have back, sides, bottom and center support. I am going to go see some friends (carpenters) tomorrow and see if they have pieces I can use for the faceplates, perhaps another type of wood that will look better stained. Any ideas or suggestions?So, right now I have my pieces, decking screws, wood glue, sandpaper and an epoxy wood filler that will take and hold marine epoxy.
For additional support, I am thinking about going around the inside top and bottom with 1" wood, yes no?
I will also build a 2 x 4 stand for this tank as well.
Filter suggestions?
Also, I suppose I should mention that I will be planning to house my sengals, possibly a couple/few additional polys, some cichlids and maybe a top dweller or two. Open to ideas here.
Anyone interested in pics along this process
In addition, I had an idea for an octogonal tank. I think it will be an easier build than this one! I should even be able to get cracked tanks and use the good glass off them to save me from having to put too much into multiple pieces of new glass. This one is still in the idea-level though, I will be working on planning it out and might build simultaneously...
.... sorry. Okay and it seems like you know what you're doing so keep the updates coming.