Diy Tanks - Marine Plywood?

[Timmy_Bee]

Hey,

Its been a long while since i've been on this site, but i think i remember a couple (cant remember their names - i think they were plec breeders?) who built their own tanks out of marine plywood, wil one side made of glass / perspex.
Has anyone had experience doing this? realistically, how big a tank can you make this way?

Am thinking of a custom tank in my 'games room' (converted garage) and it doesnt need to look pretty - i will prob surround it in an MDF cabinet or something (with steel for support where needed - obviously)
Was thinking of something like 5' x 2.5' x 2.5'

Any ideas?

 

[tribalbrit]

You would have to line the ply with fiber glass grp to make water tight.

 

[dgwebster]

Article 1:

http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_plywood_aquarium.php

Things to think about:

http/plywoodfishtank.com/Default.aspx?pg=Materials

 

[wirralbull]

would have thought cheap shuttering ply would be substantial

 

[Timmy_Bee]

I have been doing some research and am still deciding on VickiAndKev's pond liner idea, or everyone else's epoxy idea. Epoxy would be expensive and i wouldn't really save much cost, so am going to try to find more info about pond liners.

V&Ks idea appealed to me, because they lined the sides with home-made 3d backgrounds made of polystyrene, and i think this would protect the liner from any tears etc (and liner is much cheaper!)
The only bit i cant really get my head round is how to build the front side (the one with glass)

--If anyone has some good links to DIY background like V&Ks, please let me know

Probably going to change my dimensions to either 18" or 24" high because its the height that increases the pressure and i think any more than 24" would be daft. Will use 3/8" glass, 3/4" ply (i don't think there is a need for marine grade)
Considering stretching it to 6 ft. Just because i might as well...

 

[Timmy_Bee]

Well i am finding it really hard to get an online quote for a sheet of glass, and i cant really be bothered to pick up the phone just yet (yup - im lazy)
But then i was looking at Poseidons Palace, and they will build me a 5 footer for £170 - but thats with 8mm glass (safty factor 2). Is that thick enough? i would have thought 10mm would be the norm, but they claim SF2 is the industry standard

Plan B is to find a broken tank on the web and see if the back / front (or maybe bottom) is in good nick and get my glass that way.

Went to B&Q last night and they had a whole host of pond liners for cheap, so glass really is the only big cost (apart from equipment!)

 

[micko]

Check out the bulders providers for foundation PVC. Could be cheaper than a liner.
Also, I'd do a quick yell.com search for glass specialists in your area.

 

[Timmy_Bee]

Does anyone know what the Hozelock pond liners are made of? i cant find it on the web site.
I have read in VikkiAndKev's thread that there is one kind of liner that silicone will not stick to.

My plans are changing again. I am now thinking of replacing my 4ft tank instead of getting a 2nd to put in another room (i doubt i would really look at it that much)
So am looking for a broken 4x2x2 that i can steal the glass from. Also, i can make a 4x2x2 out of one sheet of 8x4 so its perfect really

 

[tribalbrit]

liners are usually either pvc based or butyl rubber. I don't think silicone would stick to either or at least not for long. GRP is your best option. My mate lined his koi pond with it and also incorporated a window. It will bond to the ply and the glass to. GRP will also strengthen the structure reducing the size of braces required.

 

[rustyspurs]

hi mate,
i built a 6ft L by 3ft H by 2ft W plywood tank last summer,
have a look through my thread:

'224G Diy Plywood Tank And Stand From Start To Finish '

and fire away with any questions you still have.

cheers

 

[Timmy_Bee]

The problem with GRP is it is as expensive as buying a tank in the first place (combined with glass costs) when you're looking at a 4 or 5 ft tank. Im sure its cheaper on the big boys, but i just dont have the space

Am still on the hunt for a broken tank that i can salvage anything from, and i think my project is going to be on hold until then.

Rusty - i think i have already read your thread, but i'll look it up anyway just in case!

Edit - yes i had read your thread before. Still not sure if the comment towards the end about the fake lamp was a joke or not...
I really like the tank, but even your small budget is way too much for me. I can buy a 4 ft tank for 130, so i would be looking to spend considerably less than that (+cost for a stand, but i would have to do that with the £130 tank anyway)

 

[rustyspurs]

lol the lamp was a reflection,

with the budget your talking about i honestly dont think a plytank is doable,

just get yourself as big a cheap and second hand tank as you can afford and skim it with wood,
make sure and post pics when you do get started.
cheers

 

[Timmy_Bee]

Got myself a little 3 x 1 tank the other day (came free with a tortoise...) so i might set that up as a 2nd tank. Probably going to go with lots of plants and see where it takes me.
I'll keep my eye out for a bigger 2nd hand tank and see what comes up