Ply Tank Build

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

4ft deep with internal frame...good idea or bad?

  • Good

    Votes: 7 38.9%

  • Bad

    Votes: 11 61.1%
  • Total voters
    18
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King Edward

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 2, 2007
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LonDon and Scotland when Duty Calls
Well, just got back from the builders yard with 16.5m of CLS to, finally, start the tank I've been planning for 8 months. Its gonna be 8 by 4 by 4 external measurements. Or thats the plan. A sturdy frame with 18mm exterior ply, coated in a liquid pond liner. Its only going to have a smallish viewing window on the front side ~ 4' by 2'. The frame and ply will be 3ft deep, then I want to have 1ft of glass running all the way round the top. Who thinks 4fts too deep and its gonna leak?

I'm also thinking of putting the frame on the inside. This will increase the likelyhood of a general failure of the ply as the weight of the water will be pushing it away from the frame rather than against it, but 18mm and lots of screws and glue should be strong enough, I think. The major advantage that this way round would bring is that the pressure on the corners of the tank will be greatly reduced as the beams of the frame will shield the corners from the full force of the water. If the frame and ply are coated before being joined then coated again, two joints would have to fail before a leak in the corners. What do you guys think? Good idea or bad?
 
Its going behind the baby. Its gonna be a lot of work but we're gonna move him and install his chair on the other side of the room creating access to the tank area, I'm gonna get on with that now. Then CUT SOME WOOD. I bought a big saw, lol!

The doors coming off. The sofas getting shoved 2ft back toward the camera, then I got a space 9 by 4... Going to make the tank a bit smaller though at about 8 by 4/3.5.... Going to try to decide BEFORE I cut the wood this time, but hey, why break the habit of a lifetime!

The frames getting built outside, the bought in and assembled so we dont have to disturb the tanks till the bitter end.

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I think you will regret using such a small window.
 
Yeah, but its purely a cost thing... The other option to small is nothing! I was going to go for no window and 2ft of glass round the top....That would be 500 quid in glass but could be done in two goes. spread the cost.... Do you think I'd be better going back to that idea?
 
Nice to see that spring has brought back my entertainment with another "Eddys DIY's" :D

No hair on fire this time though ok? :ROFL:

Cute kid :thumbsup: Great reason to have taken some time out of your dangerous DIY habbits, I think your going to regret having that projector above your tanks in the near future though... they really don't like moisture :irked:

Your window options are purly your own choice since your the one that will have to look at it everyday... if the 4 x 2 is going to bug you everytime you look at it then save up some more before going head long into this...Personally it wouldn't bother me a bit :D Worse case if I wanted to change it later... I Would but I would get a couple of years from it anyway :D

As for the Internal Frame... :grinno: Not what I would do... and considering your history of leaks... I'd go the safe route :ROFL: and at the very least add in some ply to the Inside (2 reasons why are less material needed to seal it and it's easier to deal with seams when sealing since there are far fewer)
 
Hi Lover of Bass!

Yeah, rug rats make finding the time harder! You dont have to worry about me doing something silly this time, my mate, 'Fingerless' Phil is helping me out. Hes a carpenter.

Frame on the outside then.....Mr. conventional. The projector will be fine, The top 3ft is getting glazed in and gonna put the missus orchids in there. Gonna put the second outlet from the fountain pump up into the hood, run it through a timed valve over a sheet of perspex with holes drilled in it for simulating the rain...the orchids will love it.

I've got a strobe light and an old subwoofer...now all I need to find is a storm sample...

But thats a long way off...What you think, first two foot like a pond, next two foot glass? Thats what I'm thinking. I really want a clear view of the surfaces for feeding time!
 
Let Phil use the saw? I dont think so, how do you think he lost his fingers?
 
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