Building two plywood aquarium 50LX22HX30W

[jawfish]

Hi Everyone, a few weeks ago Joey the King of DIY did a 6 part series on building a plywood aquarium.

A Little while back I decided that I would keep and breed wild fish only, concentrating on two species from a specific region. I realized that I wanted some bigger aquariums in my basement. My issue is I can only bring down something of about 50 inches long. I did not want a 75 gallons and wanted something wider than 24 inchs. I figured why not a plywood tank... I do want a large i.e. +300 gallon down the road when we move out of my current place, and a plywood aquarium was a possibility so this could be a practice run. I decided to to build two plywood aquarium of 50LX22HX30W. The internal volume would be close to 130 gallons, but it was the surface area that I was aiming for, my goal is to have more space for the fish territories.

First for those who did not see the series here's the 6 videos of the serie


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FDUfglurns


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS6AJL3CAt0


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swFoi1J7YTk


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PflID7JtZ3U


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXgHpSWHzFE


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z09QE4PpB9Q

I had my hardware store cut the 4 sheets of of 3/4" Plywood, I'm not going to do the same top bracing as he did as my tank is smaller
I needed the following pieces per tank.

1 piece 50X30, bottom panel
2 pieces 50X22, front and back panels
2 pieces 28.5 X22 side panels
1 pieces 28.5 X 6 cross brace

I also picked up some wood glue and 2 inch construction screws. I had also previously research this project and several sites recommended 2 inch screws.


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My first step was tracing the viewing window on the front panel. I'm using a 48X20 inch glass, so I made the opening 44X16 leaving me a 2 inch border.

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I proceeded in cutting the opening by first drilling with a 3/4 inch bit.. this enable me to start my cut with my jigsaw
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I assemble the tank in the same manner of the videos, but first I mark where I was going to screw.. I spaced my screws every 2 inches, but taking into account that I would screw the corners of the bottom panel. I therefore started at 1 5/8 inches.

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Here's the final product ready for sanding and then getting waterproofed.

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Cheers,

Fred

[John_Nicholson]

Nice.

-john

[Larry Bugg]

Really cool. Thanks for sharing this with us. Can't wait to see the finished product.

[brady]

I built a 75 gal. plywood tank somewhat similar to yours 50 years ago and I still use it. Though, over the years, before I put glass in it it was used as a toy chest, Christmas tree stand and a rabbit cage. It was built with g1s marine quality plywood , bronze screws, blue paint covered with epoxy. Today, as we speak, it has 5- 6in. discus swimming in it.
Good luck
Jay.

[jawfish]

Thanks Everyone,

Hey Jay, You know we want to some pictures ;)
Seriously that's quite a long run. I know when properly built they are long lasting, but I didn't envisioned 50 years of various use :)


First coat of Pond shield is on on tank #1, First thing that pops in my mind is that 2 coats may not be enough. I will definitely need another kit or two to properly do the brace also. The plywood really did soak it up. Also the fact that the color is pale may not help. The instructions did mentioned that the first coat may be transparent a little.

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[rickztahone]

Oh I'm tagging along for sure here :). I loved Joey's tank. The Arow he has in there right now is gorgeous! Keep us updated.

[jawfish]

Took a little break, but with this long weekend, now the time to get back into it.

I started by doing the fiberglass. Pond Shield recomands using non weaved cloth. Thats what I did, The trick is to use a lot of paint before putting the cloth so it can absorb it, but also after on the top coat.

Joey used in is built weaved cloth and a very thick coats of pond shield.

Next step is putting the second coat.


http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q307/fia289/11205620_10206154892205983_248428996992255960_n.jp g

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q307/fia289/11990376_10206154891885975_5453868576799513050_n.j pg

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q307/fia289/11947611_10206154892045979_2809231021796980953_n.j pg

Cheers,

Fred

[Magoo40]

Tagging so i can watch your progress

[Altum Nut]

Coming along great Fred....:thumbsup:
I don't doubt it's going to be a successful build and can't wait for the finished product with wilds swimming in their glory.

...Ralph

[Gabe]

Looks great!

[uarujoey]

Nice job!

I used cloth because its the only thing I can manage to work with without making a huge mess. (I have done a tank with mat, and never will again) In the end, both worked... one was easier to work with yet needed more pond shield to soak into it.

Pond shield or any paint, epoxy, stain, etc.. Will absorb into plywood on its first coat. The first coat is typically the primer. However, how much will absorb depends on the type of wood. I have used birch, oak and spruce for plywood tanks. It was also in that order that absorbed least to most.

[jawfish]

I agree Joey I think cloth would be my first choice next time. The mat was a little messy at times... I think a thick coat will make thing even nicer.

So far its been a positive experienced. I was aprehensive of the fiberglass, but it wasn't such a big deal. I did each tank in 2 parts. I'm getting pretty good at mixing it now. The trick to remember like with any 2 part epoxy paint you only have 30 minutes to work.

By the way Joey love the big tank.

Yhea Ralph the wild switch will be fun. These two tanks should fun because of the extra depth. I'm taking my time on these. The filtration also will be something... but thats for another tread at the end ofbtge month. :-)

Cheers
Fred

I used spruce

[Len]

Just saw this Fred. I'll definitely be following. Where will you be getting your wilds from if I can ask?

[jawfish]

Hi Len,

We ( a couple of discus buddies) are planning the get them from Hudson (Hek Discus).
if it doesn't work out will see what Simply sponsors have in stock.

I know I want 8-10 Cuipeua and 8-10 heckels, but I'm still undecided between some Nhamumda ( Blue Mood/Half moon) or Unini

Time will tell. I know that I doubts I'll be ready for november to get these two up and running, I do want to run them for a month a month and a half before putting discus in them. I'll be most likely be ordering after the extreme cold as passed hopefully it won't last untill the end of February like last year.

Cheers,

Fred

[dragon1974]

I want one :)

[jawfish]

Well the beauty of plywood tanks as Joey previously mentioned, is that you can put them in a corner and restart the work latter, the new house, getting ready for the baby and big projects at work prevented me to really get ahead with these, but I pick up the work last week. I applied two coats of pond shield, and will do two more this week. Then the glass should be silicon in place and I'll add the brace.

Cheers

Fred

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[Phillydubs]

Looking awesome! I can't wait to see it done...

Sorry this is prob a dumb question, I admit I did not watch the video series, but am I correct to think/see that 3 of the 4 sides stay wood with the coating and only the front piece is glass or acrylic?

[jawfish]

No Stupid questions Phill...

You paint all the interior surfaces with the epoxy, only the front facia gets the glass. You do need to paint the piece where the glass will be siliconed in, the glass doesn't cover the whole area.

Fred

[Phillydubs]

Thanks Fred! This is very cool! So the glass piece gets regular silicone and boom, you are off to the races huh?

Seems like such a cheap way to build a nice big tank!

Is this what joey used for his rays as well but just no top so you can look down? Almost like an aquarium touch tank

[jawfish]

You are right Phil,

Plywood tanks are a cheaper solution for larger tanks. They really start to make sense above 300 gallons. The two that I'm currently building are for me to learn to build this type of tank. The plan is to build a 98 long X 36 high X 48 wide after I've run these two for a year or two.

The only difference is that I'm thinking to use a different water proof epoxy. The Pond Shield is expensive for multi coats and the pot life is kinda short. Also next time I'm using weaved fiberglass cloth for the corners.

Cheers
Fred

[Phillydubs]

Really cool! Thanks again Fred. Great info. I can't wait to see yours done!!!

[brewmaster15]

Love those Joey Vids! :)

Fred, Tanks looking Great! Have you decided what you plan on keeping in it for wilds yet?

al

[jawfish]

Thanks Al
Tank # 1 will get my group of Rio Negro in it... the group is just waiting to be transfered in a bigger tank :o
Tank # 2 at first I wanted some "Brown", but now I'm decided on a group of Red Spotted Tefe...

Cheers

Fred