New tank build in progress

[MDFishTanks]

Drew up these plans today to start building for my dedicated fish room. It's going to be 8 x 3.5 x 3.5 or 9.5 x 3.5 x 3.5. The window will be 1/2 glass either 72x30 or 84 x30. The glass will be 28" from the surface so it will be off of the bottom (for pressure).

It will be sitting on a base of either 16 inches or 24 inches. I am trying to see how high I want it to be. I am leaning towards a 24" base though so the top of the tank is 5' high.





I am really leaning towards something like an open tank/pond with a window similar to this right on the floor.

 

[JDTune]

I wish I could draw up plans like that lol. I just do the figures on a sheet of paper.


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[MDFishTanks]

I wish I could draw up plans like that lol. I just do the figures on a sheet of paper.


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Yeah, I started with paper and a pencil a few days ago and this morning I decided I needed something better. First time doing any plans like these...came out decent to me lol.

 

[MDFishTanks]

Base is in progress. It's 10' x 4'....still debating on how high to make it....30"/36. I screwed and glued the 5/8th OSB to the 2x4's and I am putting a 2nd layer of 5/8th osb on top of that one. The back and sides will be made of 2x4's staggered and interlocked (screwed and glued) and then covered in plywood, which should be super strong. The front will be 10' 4x4 at the top and bottom so there is no bowing with the glass, which will be 1/2" or 3/4", 96"x30".

I was going to do fiberglass or epoxy and then I just decided:
Pond liner (20mil) in between the 2x4 walls and the plywood(without cutting the pond liner) and then plastic sheeting (10mil dropcloth) on top of the plywood inside of the tank, and then the actual 45mil pond liner, which I am trying to decide if I can cover in tile or something that can adhere to it to add another layer as well as be the background for the back and sides of the tank.

Yes, the double pond liner and plastic sheeting may be a little overkill but I'd rather be safe than sorry if I was to some how get a leak. I may add a tarp somewhere in between also. I don't think you can ever have to much security when it comes to water.

It's a process but it's starting to come together. I'll be doing the 2x4 walls tomorrow.

 

[MDFishTanks]

Started the walls late so I should finish the 2x4 part of the walls tomorrow morning. The 2x4's are interlocked and I used 3" screws, 3" nails, and glue on each one. It's definitely solid.

 

[rurry44]

Very cool build. Do you know the cost of the glass?

 

[MDFishTanks]

Very cool build. Do you know the cost of the glass?

Yes, I got many quotes from the same person in many sizes. 108x36 1/2" runs me 250 with seamed edges. 108x24 is 150 with seamed edges and I got many other sizes in between. Since it is 1/2" I am safe putting the glass 28" from the surface. I will probably do 108x32 and leave 3" all around the glass to silicone and make sure my seal is super tight, or I may just do 108x36 and have the other 8 inches out of the water and build maybe an amazon looking tank with plants at the top etc. Not sure yet, so many ideas running through my mind!

 

[HyPHyISM42o]

Cool cant wait to see finished.

 

[MDFishTanks]

Not as much progress as I thought would be this weekend. I ended up going out with my wife all day Saturday and then fishing and with my wife after that yesterday.

I did add another row of cinderblocks to raise the tank to 36" from the ground. That thing is soooo heavy and I managed to lift it by myself on top of the blocks....it did take me about 45 minutes though and I am feeling the pain today!

The walls are only 24" high right now and I am debating on going to 30, 32, 34, or 36" high.

I will also be anchoring the back and the sides of the tank to the studs in the wall for added support.

 

[joe2011]

cool build