Those that have moved their plywood tanks

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sbrodacz

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 9, 2009
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Illinois
I have an office in my townhouse and I want to build a plywood tank for it. I'd like to be able to put as big of a tank as I can fit in there while still allowing for room for the "office" part. Here is the catch, I'm moving to a house in 10 months or so and have to be able to move the tank. I figured as long as I keep the height of the tank less than the width of the door I shouldn't have a problem. It's a fairly straight shot to the office from the front door. I was thinking of a 96" x 54" x 30" tank. Plywood is not normally very heavy. How many of you have moved your plywood tanks around? How many of you did it take? My father owns a construction company, so I figured him and I could build the tank fairly quickly in my garage and could hopefully move it into the office when it's done and then move it to a moving truck once I move. I want to use my 135 gallon tank as the sump, but that would leave me with nothing for my rays any other fish to live in while the sump is being built and the plywood tank is cycling.
 
I am in a similar situation and have been calculating the weight of the tank using the approx weights of the materials to be used. It depends on the construction but it is safe to say it is going to weigh a lot! Hope you have some strong willing friends or movers!

These weights are approx and I got them online....Lumber will vary a bit depending on density, dryness etc etc. Treated wood weighs a lot more!

2x4x8 = 10 pounds
3/4 inch 4x8 plywood = 40 pounds
 
If you used 5 sheets of plywood at 40lbs that would be what? 200 lbs? That's less then my 135 gallon, but a lot.
 
Are you going to seal it/set the glass in the office or in the garage? The glass will add 100-200 pounds or so, depending on the thickness. The sealant will also add weight, and it will need some bracing as well.
 
I was planning on doing everything in the garage. Even at 400lbs it's not horrible, it'd just take more then two people. Sealing it, couldn't add more then what 25-50 lbs?
 
Gonna Toss in my two cents..... I would wait. Not for the weight, or the hassle of moving. I would for just not moving the fish 2x in say 8 months. I got ok'd for a 92x30x24 tank. Only thing is I have to wait until we get into a perminant residence. I can live with it.

Bear
 
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