VickiandKev
Fishaholic
My partner and I are setting up a fish breeding setup for clown loaches, L128s, L200s and ancistrus sp.
We originally didn't plan on the L128s or L200s, although the clown loaches were then a pipe dream, which is now seeming closer to reality.
Obviously, for this, we need BIG tanks. We're planning on keeping the tanks in our home, partly because of the heating issue and it's warmer where we are, and partly because we have fish because we like to see them, so it would make little sense to keep them tucked away somewhere.
After a few false starts and problems in obtaining and deciding on our final setup, we've now decided to put our DIY skills to use and simply make what we want. It may take a year to get everything as we want it, but that is fine.
We are planning on having one big 9' x 2" x 2' for the living room centre piece, racks of 6' x 2' x 12" (L x W x H) and possibly also some 3' x 2' x 12" as well. We are making the stands ourselves, and also the tanks - which leads to my questions.
**The stands we are going to make are essentially frames, intended for use with all glass tanks, - I'm presuming plywood tanks (if we do use them) need to have a solid base to stand on, so we'd need to brace the stand and add a thick plywood sheet?
**For those who may have used both, which would be better/cheaper/easier to make/maintain - plywood tanks with a front viewing window or all glass tanks? How careful must you be when cleaning/trying to arrange decor without scratching plywood tanks?
**Also, what are the limitations of a good plywood tank - I would need to keep my tank at around 27C for the species I plan to keep - does this affect the life of the epoxy/resin coating? Or the wood itself? Can I use a 2" deep sand substrate and load with bogwood with no problems?
**Finally, am I right in assuming that plywood with a good layer of epoxy will insulate heat better than glass (bearing in mind, due the depth, the glass we would use would be 9mm thick or less)?
I had initially decided on all glass tanks, but after seeing the recently resurrected post on plywood tanks, they can be very aesthetically pleasing.
ETA: Also, do we want hardwood or softwood ply ... I'm thinking hardwood would be best ....
We originally didn't plan on the L128s or L200s, although the clown loaches were then a pipe dream, which is now seeming closer to reality.
Obviously, for this, we need BIG tanks. We're planning on keeping the tanks in our home, partly because of the heating issue and it's warmer where we are, and partly because we have fish because we like to see them, so it would make little sense to keep them tucked away somewhere.
After a few false starts and problems in obtaining and deciding on our final setup, we've now decided to put our DIY skills to use and simply make what we want. It may take a year to get everything as we want it, but that is fine.
We are planning on having one big 9' x 2" x 2' for the living room centre piece, racks of 6' x 2' x 12" (L x W x H) and possibly also some 3' x 2' x 12" as well. We are making the stands ourselves, and also the tanks - which leads to my questions.
**The stands we are going to make are essentially frames, intended for use with all glass tanks, - I'm presuming plywood tanks (if we do use them) need to have a solid base to stand on, so we'd need to brace the stand and add a thick plywood sheet?
**For those who may have used both, which would be better/cheaper/easier to make/maintain - plywood tanks with a front viewing window or all glass tanks? How careful must you be when cleaning/trying to arrange decor without scratching plywood tanks?
**Also, what are the limitations of a good plywood tank - I would need to keep my tank at around 27C for the species I plan to keep - does this affect the life of the epoxy/resin coating? Or the wood itself? Can I use a 2" deep sand substrate and load with bogwood with no problems?
**Finally, am I right in assuming that plywood with a good layer of epoxy will insulate heat better than glass (bearing in mind, due the depth, the glass we would use would be 9mm thick or less)?
I had initially decided on all glass tanks, but after seeing the recently resurrected post on plywood tanks, they can be very aesthetically pleasing.
ETA: Also, do we want hardwood or softwood ply ... I'm thinking hardwood would be best ....
fantastic idea!
) 
im using 6 layers to be extra sure.lol you may have to seal it with pond paint, they come in lots of natural colors.most people just add concrete color additive to change the color and never seal, and have had no problems so i hear.the finished project needs rinsing well and left to sit for atleast a week with daily water changes.
