Saw a unique plywood build today...

[Racersk]

It was at one of the many LFS near me. I saw that they had built a huge sump from plywood and acrylic. It was made for the salt water side of their display, but this thing was big, like 10' by 2' by 2'. It looked pretty simple, 3/4" plywood notched for an acrylic front pane the length of the sump. Looked like they used some type of sealer on the woods face, but it still looked clear and raw, and a silicone to seal the acrylic to the wood in the channels and cross braces. It wouldn't make it into the house with the looks, but this is what I am able to afford in the garage and it will allow me to get my ultimate monster, an arowana!

I have the garage space, and it'll be on the concrete floor (like one of my 90's). I am thinking 6'x2'x2' as a minimum(180). I can either use a pane from my existing 90 gallon, 48"x24", as a viewing window, or go for it and use a piece of acrylic ordered to size (preferred). Either way, I see about $150 worth of tank...within budget.

Can anyone point me in a good direction for a getto plywood build? lol... My 90 gallon tanks(!) are cool, don't get me wrong, I just want to be able to properly house one of the top tier tropical fish that we freshwater hobbiests can have.

 

[BadOleRoss]

You might want to look through the DIY build sticky. I am not sure you will find any "ghetto" builds there but you may find some cost cutting ideas.

 

[Tanks of Steel]

Yep, you want DIY sticky. Go out and learn. I recommend not cutting corners for ghetto. Wet mess, dead fishes...not worth it.

 

[Racersk]

I have seen the builds that others have made, The majority of these builds rival my brother inlaws woodworking skills!(cabinet and furniture maker by passion/hobby) I am after a black box with a viewing window...More akin to an indoor pond with a see trough window on the front.

Here are a couple cell phone pics of the sump I mentioned before.

I would at least paint the wood black before I sealed it, but this simple design is totally doable in my garage over a week end. For the notches, I would default that job to my brother in law...

The costs involved would be:
-plywood (AB exterior grade)
-glass panel for the front
-silicone
-wood screws
-paint/sealer(What works as a good cheap waterproofer)

I would at least trim the top with a piece of 1x2 notched and add one center crossbrace attached to the top trim. size 6'(maybe 7')x2'x2'

Am I under analizing this?

 

[TheRealAndyCook]

the design looks interesting.

that notch is called a dado, and if he doesn't have a blade/and the spacers...the size of your glass you might be in trouble tho I'm sure he could do a few passes slowly cutting away more till it was correct.

Another idea would be to get 2 pieces of plywood. The first one, for example being 4 feet long. then on the inside you have one that is 3 feet 10 inches long, then you have your glass, then you have a piece that is 7/8th of an inch... assuming your class was an inch and 1/8th

that second equation should be... D2 - ( F + G) = D1

 

[Racersk]

I'm following you.

Just plugging in some numbers...

6x2x2=180g
7x2x2=210g
8x2x2=240g
6x2.5x2=225g
6x3x2=270g
6x4x2=360g
5x3x2=225g

For keeping an aro, what's better long term, length or width or volume of water? This will be in the garage, size is negotiable 2' being the max height, as it will also become the new home for my bichir and knife collection.

Also keeping in mind I will be using 4x8 sheets of plywood as well...I think I will just use the dato by itself,utilizing a 24x(5/6/7/8') sheet of 3/4" glass and 1" plywood...Suggestions on material thickness with less than 300g of water, remember I will be framing the top edges and using cross bracing? 1/2" glass? x2 3/4" plywood=1.5"? Cost is also a huge factor...

 

[swevev]

I dont know what a piece of glass that long would cost. You could find a cheap CL 55,70 or 90 and make 2 front 'windows' for an 8 foot tank.

I have seen it in other builds, I did a similar thing, but with narrower and taller glass.

M

 

[Darth Scohin]

Silvers & Blacks 8x3x3 Minimum tank size(A 2foot high tank is okay though Width is important)
Africans,Asians & Australians 6x2x2 Minimum Tank Size

 

[Racersk]

I don't want to deal with the split glass idea, I have a 90 gallon I could cut up for this, but the seam is a deal breaker.

6x2x2 for an african, I'm sold! I already have a shoal of bichirs that would validate the theme...Think an african aro would be alright with a GCK as a tankmate?

6x2x2 or 6x3x2 will be my target dimensions, although I might fudge the height bit for top bracing., minimum 6x2' glass. So the thickness of the glass for a maximum 270g tank...1/2, 5/8, or 3/4?

 

[Defiance]

Hiya,

The glass thickness is mainly governed by the height

Here in the uk we get away with 10mm (just under 1/2") to 1/2" thick for a 6x2x2 braced tank (all glass)

So if you're going with a front glass area of 6x2 then i'd go 1/2" minimum (though my 10mm (slightly under 1/2" was pro made and solid) is fine

On my all glass 6x2x2 i wished i'd of opted for the front glass being what we call here "optiglass" (another name in usa but it's the white looking clearer less green stuff, slightly more scratchable though)

Remember though, the thicker you go the higher the safety factor, but don't go overboard as glass used for aquariums takes a load of pressure and just keeps going hehe

Did have a glass chart dimension/strength printout somewhere, will try and find a link tonight when i get more time

Def