DIY Plywood Tank

[jedimaster]

Thinking of making a small DIY Plywood tank as a reef tank. Will be
24" left to right by
22" Front to back by
24" Tall
How thick glass? should I fiberglass inside or coat with 2 part epoxy? If epoxy can a die be added for color? or is it clear and you paint the wood first?

 

[javatech]

3/8" glass should be ok i used 2 part epoxy it was gray but i used a 45ml pond liner to protect the paint from the rocks and some foam sheets on the bottom under the liner take a look at mine it 60" X 24" X 24"
http://groups.msn.com/JimsCichlids/p...ankphotos.msnw

 

[n2deep]

Javatech your tank ROCKS!!!

 

[javatech]

Thank's it was a lot of work but it was FUN. now i need to make a top for it

 

[jedimaster]

What was the brand of epoxy you used?

 

[javatech]

AQUApon from ppg paints it's for the inside of water tanks

 

[novice150]

Aquatic Ecosystems sells several colors of two part epoxies, which are formulated for use in aquariums.

 

[javatech]

the ppg paint was $80 for the two gals part a and part b 1:1 mix and it was made for drinking water tanks

 

[jedimaster]

How much of that did you use for the inside?

 

[javatech]

a bit less than 1/2 so about 1 gal that was ten coats

 

[jedimaster]

So for the reef tank I want to make I would need like maybe a quart.
24*24*18

 

[javatech]

yea if that
now what i have is gray but if you want to buy some of it like a Qt of each i could send you some and i used some black 45mil pond liner to protect the paint i might have some left
let me know
when you get your plywood get birch plywood it will come out a lot better and a lot less time spent filling all the little holes

 

[j21kickster]

this wooden tank has me intrested, i have a couple of questions, how was the liner installed and what did you do for the joints as far as connection goes
*Java i really like your tank the more i think about it, do you think you could email me how you built it and the supplies? or if you dont have time, direct me to a post where you might have already explained it?

 

[javatech]

i don't have any thing down on paper on how to build it yet but here are some photos, .as far as the liner i just used Silicone to tack it down the water keeps it down and the 500 lbs of rock
you can come out and take a look if you want

 

[j21kickster]

did you drill any holes for a sump? so you put the liner in and then coated it? I might have to come over and take a look, i think i will have to build one my self.

 

[javatech]

no hole's or sump here are some photo's . http://groups.msn.com/JimsCichlids/p...ankphotos.msnw
the paint go's on first and then the liner you don't need a liner if you don't mind the gray or if you don't have anything in the tank that will bang in to it

 

[j21kickster]

so the liner just adds pading? so nothing scratches it?

 

[javatech]

yes that's it and it look's better than the gray paint