Originally Posted by
gypsana
http:///forum/post/3017125
For that size plywood IMO is the best bet with glass. Acrylic scratches on the exterior is your least worry, it is when they happen on the inside. It is a giant PIA! If you decide acrylic you can PM me with any questions. I learned some valuable tricks along the way, especially with the adhesives. If you choose glass it is going to be HEAVY! The glass shop I worked at installed heavy shower enclosures and the doors were very heavy. They were either 3/8" or 1/2" tempered pieces.
I did the reading and yes, I agree 100% I will not do it out of glass or acrylic. It will be plywood coated with epoxy, and a glas spanel front that will be lowered in place form the second floor, before it is completed.
Originally Posted by RyanPaul
http:///forum/post/3017177
I've no experience with building a tank from scratch, But I have looked into it a few times, From what I read anything DIY over 500 gallons It was suggested the tank be built In place from Concrete rather then Plywood.
Your talking about a Tank that will weigh in excess of 4200 lbs once filled, And thats the lower end of the scale (around 500 gallons)
Thats a lot of plywood and support braces...
Personally were I to ever do this, I'd go with poured concrete supported by rebar and either a formed concrete groove, or a machined metal groove secured into the concrete and allowed to set in the concrete itself, Sliding the only Pane of glass used (though I suppose acrylic could be used as well) into the groove and securing it with adhesive (Probably silicone)
If built correctly the weight of the water will actually push the glass against the concrete.
Granted this does require pretty extensive construction, And more importantly headroom to slide the glass down, though the concrete could be carefully formed around the glass I suppose.
While It would be Expensive, If you do it all yourself cost should stay surprisingly low compared to the what you get out of it.
Though having it contracted I'm sure the price would be astronomical.
Most custom construction jobs are pricy. Fortunately My brother ownes his own engineering company, the design logistics are covered. My dad is a retired contractor, his homes have recieved national recognition and have won compititions before. He knows his stuff.
Price accually will be relitivly low and figured into the construction package.
To put it in perspective:
The last house he built was done for less than 100k( I think it was a 90k loan). It took a while, because he does everything with meticulous perfection. But the house appraised last year at 450k. Granted..the econamy took a slide, and its proably only 300k but you can see how he takes a little, and makes it look like it was way more expencive to do.
In a nutshell, adding a tank this size to a house during its construction will have very little impact on over all cost. I would guess concrete, re bar, plywood, epoxy will only be a few grand if that. The most expensive piece would be the glass panel that slides down into place from the above floor.
Originally Posted by
gypsana
http:///forum/post/3017204
I do not know of the construction on such a large tank but I guess the concrete would be supporting the plywood. Is concrete sealable for a tank? I do know of a product that would be safe and waterproof. I know Drylock makes a concrete sealer/paint but what about leaching?
Ya my brother will go over house blue prints and alter them as needed to accommodate this kind of weight. Im quiet sure pops will pour a special foundation slab directly underneath to support the massive load. And most likely weld a steel frame to house the tank. His last house had a rec room up top that could fit a city bus easy, both weight and size.
Originally Posted by Eric B 125
http:///forum/post/3017357
i think that using cement under the tank is an awesome idea though. neptune, if you're able to build a room behind the tank and water proof the floor and stick a drain in the floor, that would be clutch.
We haven't chosen a floor plan yet. But the basic Idea is a larger than normal living room with a tank against one wall, with a utility/laundry room behind it for all the filtration and other gear to be stored out of site. this is all in the inital stages. I'm just gathering Intel for him, he hasn't evin committed to it, but he has sparked interest in a tank actually built into the wall, and has activly engaged in asking about all the logistics of doing it.
I would say the chances are improving every day that this is something he will commit to when we break dirt later this year. Ill be moving out to his place and living in the guest house in a couple months. I agreed to help with the construction for reduced rent and the freedom to attend school for the next 6 years, while I live with them. Who knows, mabee when I finish my masters, Ill buy the house from him^^ now you see my motivation for this fish tank ha ha.
