Shower tile to waterproof plywood tank

[DucatiDragster]

I'm still in the early stages of designing a 4000 gallon plywood tank.
Can I use shower tiles to make the inside waterproof instead of fiberglass?
Below is sample of what I want to do inside of the tank.

 

[mike huntley]

don't you still need to 'tank' the aquarium before tiling it, using fibre glass or another resin? if you used a concrete block/cement render for the build you could treat it as a swimming pool in terms of sealing the render then tiling over.

 

[BadOleRoss]

If the tile is not pourus I guess you could use it and silicone between the tiles but it sounds like a leak waiting to happen. Sealing a standard glass tank can be difficult enough without getting leaks but you are talking about getting a watertight seal between each and every tile. I'm not sure I'd go that route.

 

[DucatiDragster]

How about if I use some good grout under the tile? I really like the look of tile.

 

[ccebr]

i think that could work, but like mikehuntly said, you may need a concrete beneath the tiles. The grout isn't really meant for all the weight of the water, so might crack under the pressure. You might want to speak to a tiler, and get an opinion on a grout suitable

 

[DucatiDragster]

Any tilers in here?

 

[naten]

No way. Even with a schluter membrane on the cement board it won't work. You could make a watertight tank then tile it. Tiled shower surrounds and tubs are not meant to hold water for long periods of time.

 

[DucatiDragster]

No way. Even with a schluter membrane on the cement board it won't work. You could make a watertight tank then tile it. Tiled shower surrounds and tubs are not meant to hold water for long periods of time.

Thanks bud, that's all I needed to know. Your answer was straight forward and that's what I wanted. Fiberglass seems to pricey to do with a big footprint. But I guess it is what it is.

 

[naten]

Anytime, that's why this site is great.

 

[ITHURTZ]

You can tile a tank and use silicone for the grout lines. The ONLY problem would be a tank shift and a tile cracks making a leak. I want to make my snapper a bigger tank out of tile. I have absolutely no fears of this. Epoxy grout is 100% water proof but $$$.