Suggestions on DIY plywood tank

redshark · 05-10-2011, 02:19 PM

Hey guys/gals,

So I'm currently contemplating upgrading my 180gal tank to something bigger, did a little asking around and was shocked as to how much more glass costs as its size increases! Its downright insane! lol So I plan to do something along the lines of a plywood tank, but I'm not sure how long these things last, will there be more problems than benefits, etc.. The largest glass tank I can get would be 8 feet long, anything longer and it'd have to be custom ordered costing me an arm and a leg. So I've decided to convert a guest room in my house, which currently is just begging me to use it (or maybe that's MTS talking heh) but if I go plywood, I want the tank to be at least 10-12 feet long, 3 feet front to back and 2.5 feet tall... I plan on keeping SA/CA cichlids and a few other oddballs in there. Have any of you successfully completed a similar project and how long have you had it running without much problems? I plan to be as thorough as possible regarding the planning and preparation as I want this to last as long as possible. If anyone here can help point me in the right direction as to what I need to do to get started in terms of designs/measurements/software that would help make this easier I would be extremely helpful...OR even if you think that this won't even work in the first place! Thanks in advance guys

Sorry for the long a$$ post!

holly12 · 05-12-2011, 11:42 PM

Plywood Aquariums / Fish Tanks

DIY - Plywood/Glass Aquarium

2 sites I found on DIY plywood fish tanks. (I googled: plywood aquarium and those are 2 of the sites that came up.... there are more. One was for a MASSIVE aquarium, lol, seriously huge!) I've never built one (or heard of one until I saw your post) but hopefully these sites can give you some tips.

jrman83 · 05-13-2011, 06:43 AM

To each his own, I guess. I prefer glass and planted tanks.

James0816 · 05-13-2011, 06:57 AM

Plywood and Epoxy is perfect for making monster tanks. I can refer you to another site but I can't post the link as it is another forum. I'll shoot you a PM.

I'm working on a 10 foot ray tank. Very slow progress as it is one of those "when i get around to working on it again" things.

It's possible to find 10' ply but anything over that then you will have to double up on it and stagger the seams. I know a few people that use pond liners but me personally, I don't like the look.

If constructed solidly, they will last a very long time.

redshark · 05-13-2011, 10:32 AM

Thanks for the replies guys! lol jrman83 I know what you mean, but glass is way more expensive otherwise I would just get a custom one made, thanks for the info holly, James!

05-10-2011, 02:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
redshark Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 30 Name: Angad Spartacus Naul Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Suggestions on DIY plywood tank Hey guys/gals, So I'm currently contemplating upgrading my 180gal tank to something bigger, did a little asking around and was shocked as to how much more glass costs as its size increases! Its downright insane! lol So I plan to do something along the lines of a plywood tank, but I'm not sure how long these things last, will there be more problems than benefits, etc.. The largest glass tank I can get would be 8 feet long, anything longer and it'd have to be custom ordered costing me an arm and a leg. So I've decided to convert a guest room in my house, which currently is just begging me to use it (or maybe that's MTS talking heh) but if I go plywood, I want the tank to be at least 10-12 feet long, 3 feet front to back and 2.5 feet tall... I plan on keeping SA/CA cichlids and a few other oddballs in there. Have any of you successfully completed a similar project and how long have you had it running without much problems? I plan to be as thorough as possible regarding the planning and preparation as I want this to last as long as possible. If anyone here can help point me in the right direction as to what I need to do to get started in terms of designs/measurements/software that would help make this easier I would be extremely helpful...OR even if you think that this won't even work in the first place! Thanks in advance guys Sorry for the long a$$ post! __________________ 195G Pleco - 13" Clown Knife - 14" Silver tinfoil barb - 7", 7 Clown loaches - 4-5" 1 Black ghost knife - 7" 2 Tilapias - 4" 2 GT's - 3"

05-12-2011, 11:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
holly12 Dude.... wait..... what? holly12's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 3,074 Name: Holly Location: Canada My location Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 815 Times Said "Thanks" 672 Times Was Thanked 528 Times in 515 Posts	Re: Suggestions on DIY plywood tank Plywood Aquariums / Fish Tanks DIY - Plywood/Glass Aquarium 2 sites I found on DIY plywood fish tanks. (I googled: plywood aquarium and those are 2 of the sites that came up.... there are more. One was for a MASSIVE aquarium, lol, seriously huge!) I've never built one (or heard of one until I saw your post) but hopefully these sites can give you some tips. __________________ 20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981 36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981

05-13-2011, 06:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
jrman83 ....has no life.... jrman83's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,468 Name: Ben Location: White Plains, MD My location Feedback: 16 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 3,396 Times Said "Thanks" 478 Times Was Thanked 2,431 Times in 2,286 Posts	Re: Suggestions on DIY plywood tank To each his own, I guess. I prefer glass and planted tanks.

05-13-2011, 06:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
James0816 James0816's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2,455 Feedback: 13 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 34 Times Was Thanked 526 Times in 454 Posts	Re: Suggestions on DIY plywood tank Plywood and Epoxy is perfect for making monster tanks. I can refer you to another site but I can't post the link as it is another forum. I'll shoot you a PM. I'm working on a 10 foot ray tank. Very slow progress as it is one of those "when i get around to working on it again" things. It's possible to find 10' ply but anything over that then you will have to double up on it and stagger the seams. I know a few people that use pond liners but me personally, I don't like the look. If constructed solidly, they will last a very long time.

05-13-2011, 10:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
redshark Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 30 Name: Angad Spartacus Naul Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Suggestions on DIY plywood tank Thanks for the replies guys! lol jrman83 I know what you mean, but glass is way more expensive otherwise I would just get a custom one made, thanks for the info holly, James! __________________ 195G Pleco - 13" Clown Knife - 14" Silver tinfoil barb - 7", 7 Clown loaches - 4-5" 1 Black ghost knife - 7" 2 Tilapias - 4" 2 GT's - 3"

Members currently in the chatroom: 0
	The most chatters online in one day was 16, 03-02-2012. No one is currently using the chat.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)