theres a reason.. but i dont know it

[chesterthehero]

how come no one does metal tanks...
made out of 316 stainless or aluminium.. or.. something.. built the same way as a plywood tank but lined with metal.. ?

is it a corrosion issue, leaching, i dunno something else?

im not counting price as an issue


or do people do this and i just dont know about it

 

[azfishfool]

i have an old metal stand but its just the framing i dont see any reason not to though except maybe weight?

 

[chesterthehero]

not the stand.. but the tank itself... back, sides and bottom metal.. the front glass..

 

[azfishfool]

ooo misread i would assume maybe leaching of minerals

 

[IITUFFTOBEATII]

its pretty easy to learn to work a hammer or screw gun reliably, not as easy to learn to weld reliably and make it aesthetically pleasing as well

 

[chesterthehero]

well.. thats why i ask... im getting pretty good at custom metal working and im a pretty good welder... im thinkin longterm here.. once i get a house or my own and all..

i was thinkin about winning the lottery again

 

[azfishfool]

wonder if you could weld it all up the powder coat it to stop corrosion could do colors too for background

 

[chesterthehero]

316 stainless is marine grade.. good for everything but like warm saltwater... tig weld all the seams and gring them nice and smooth.. bend a lip around the front so the glass would push against it and then seal it up.. you could put drains prettymuch wherever since you wouldnt really have to worry about it breaking...

stupid lottery dreams..

 

[IITUFFTOBEATII]

316 stainless is marine grade.. good for everything but like warm saltwater... tig weld all the seams and gring them nice and smooth.. bend a lip around the front so the glass would push against it and then seal it up.. you could put drains prettymuch wherever since you wouldnt really have to worry about it breaking...

stupid lottery dreams..

You are over simplifying this, its not enough to just build a box, you will need stiffeners in all the right places. Not that it cant be done, it most def can. IMO its just not economical or practical.

This is more practical:

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118943

 

[Fish Eat Fish]

it would work but why when plywood is cheaper lighter and more ridged? in order to build a tank that is equally ridged it would need to be twice as heavy and ten times as expensive. I also do metal work and have already pondered this...not to mention tiging water tight beads for all the panels gives me nightmares!

one good idea is to use aluminum angle for the corners as it doesnt protrude inside the tank like a standard wood design usually would and wont ever pull through because its pushing out on the angle.