Polycarbonate tank build - framed?

[soggydrysuit3]

Hi all,

I need to build a large tank for a Pacu. Approx six by four by two feet deep. Only two feet deep because the only polycarb I can cheaply source is 10mm thick so I assume 18 to 24 ins is the maximum.

I'd like to reinforce that with an epoxy coated plywood frame similar to the plywood tank builds.

Is this possible? Would you go plywood with a glass front or polycarbonate/adhesive only on a tank this deep with a 10mm thickness?

The pacu is a rescue and just under a foot long, red belly not a black...

 

[cvermeulen]

I would not use polycarbonate in the first place, as it tends to be fairly expensive, and scratches easily, even compared with acrylic. It is however amazingly resilient, so it has it's place.

To address your quesion - anything is possible. I'd make the tank out of fiberglass/plywood with an acrylic or glass front, depending which material you prefer.

 

[soggydrysuit3]

I found out at the last minute that the '10mm polycarb sheeting' was not a solid sheet - it was the hollow form made for insulating conservatory roofs. So that was the end of that idea. These were for sale for 55ukp each instead of the 300ukp i'd otherwise expect for the same thing. Still my outhouse could use some!

I have found someone who will sell me a plastic stock tank - it's six by four by two feet and will stand alone so there's a start at 1300l...

 

[soggydrysuit3]

If I had the cash I would have tried the acrylic route in preference to polycarb, it was just what seemed available. I'd really like to try the plywood/glass way but wonder if I dare? Could always test it in the outhouse where a burst wouldnt matter That would be another project...

For the stock tank, I've a 1000gph pond pump and a pond filter. The thing will be in a room heated to 21-22 deg C and I have several 200W heaters to help pull it up another degree or two. The tank will be enclosed with fibreglass building insulation around inside an epoxied wooden frame. I'm going to put a four foot high acrylic enclosure on top of that with a ducted fan to draw air in over the tank and vent it outside.

My wife say's this is all fine so long as we decorate the room first. Coercion!

Might post again with pics when I've actually got something going, this one's been a long time coming...

 

[soggydrysuit3]

Picked up a six by four by two foot deep koi vat yesterday. It is massive! Roughly 1300 litres.

At last!

 

[ryeguy28]

pics ?

 

[soggydrysuit3]

Have to bully my camera into working, but sure

 

[soggydrysuit3]

ok, here goes with some pics... my first try

Apologies for the messiest garage this side of the large megellenic cloud!

 

[soggydrysuit3]

It's dark in here! Sorry for sacre at my ugly mug, couldn't resist standing in the vat!

The guy I bought it from said he was selling five of them for 100 ukp each so if anyone in the uk is reading this, it's the best deal I've found. PM me and I'll send his details. Near Darlington, up north.

I drive a Shogun truck and this wouldn't have fitted inside. A real transit van job...

 

[soggydrysuit3]

I'll have to move these two marine tanks to other places to make room for the vat...

Just showing a few more pics...