My Super DIY Plans (still researching)

jj_harrison

jj_harrison

Member
I need allot of input for my new tank project. Here it goes the tank will be a 1008 gallon Plywood tank with an acrylic window. It will be built with 4x4 frame and 2x4 studs. With two layers of 3/4 plywood fiber glassed and painted with epoxy. There will be a 3/4" acrylic window in front. The dimensions are 9'x3'x5'.
Some tank questions…
I was thinking of 5’ overflows on each side for the return would that be ok?
And where should the closed loop bulk heads be?
I want the tank to be built into the wall so I need a way to deal with the 4 tons off the ground any one have a tank this big on a stand can I get pics?
Some filter questions…
Here is what I was thinking see pic
How big should my fuge be? I am thinking of using my 125 for a sump.
What size fluidized bed filters be and how many?
How will I know if my skimmer is enough? I am building a DIY foam jet
And should the piping be good?
What turn over should I have for a FOWLR tangs and a shark?
Thanks for all your help I am looking for criticism but I know I need help with the stand!!
 
cubsfan

cubsfan

Member
by the looks of the drawing its 9' long x 5' wide x 3' tall.
I was thinking of building a in wall tank also. Where did you get the information on how to build it?

Thanks and keep us posted on the progress!
 
jj_harrison

jj_harrison

Member
I like the stand Phixer, in your link I think I will do that stand with the concrete I like that
Ok here is the tank it has 4x4 bands around the top and bottom lag bolted together. And 2x4 studs and it will all be fiber glassed with 2 part epoxy paint.
The over flow will go through the supports and have acrylic on the front.
I did the piece supporting the acrylic on the inside so that when it was empty it would hold it in.
When I’m going to assemble the tank I will fiberglass all the separate sides then assemble then use fiberglass tape to do the seams then paint.
I didn't draw it in but I’m going to put some 2x8's for a lip around the top and it will be fiber glassed completely over the top and there will be 2 2x8 center brace’s
The inside will be painted dark blue and the outside white
 
jj_harrison

jj_harrison

Member
Here is the skimmer I am looking at building I like the Foam Injection method i think it will work good.
Do you think that 2 pumps will be too much flow for the skimmer?
will this be enough skimmer for a 1000gal FOWLR shark tank?
 
phixer

phixer

Active Member
This is a great forum to trade ideas. JJ you have some really good looking sketches. Check out the posts by NOVICE 150 regarding a similar tank if your serious about undertaking this task. What kind of floor are you setting this on? I tried to make contact with NOVICE150 about a year ago but didnt get a reply, funny thing is, chances are he lives a few blocks away and I never knew it. :notsure:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/newsearch/?search=&type=all
I made a 150 gallon plywood tank several years ago, coated it with marine epoxy and it held water for about 3 years then developed a small leak. Plywood tanks are great and even better if they are constructed using a fiberglass cloth lamination as you mentioned, it makes them more rigid similar to a bathtub. I remember this article, its a good one.
Still think 3/4 is too thin for you though man, even for a tank 3FT tall.
Will your viewing window use a gasket type seal against the frame? Most underwater display tanks use this type of seal. The pressure of the water presses the window against the gasket.
My project is also 3FT tall, Im building it on site because it will be too large to fit down the stairs assembled.
 
jj_harrison

jj_harrison

Member
I was thinking like on the Cichlid Forum one where he used the water pressure to hold it against the fiberglass and used silicone like crazy to seal it the pressure of the water should hold it to the front good enough that it will seal.
The tank will be on a concrete slab or at least the stand will be probably a good 6" thick at least.
Did you develop a leak from the epoxy breaking down or was it from the tank separating over time?
What epoxy did you use also?
Right now I’m in Iraq so I will not start building this till I get back but this is my coming home present of sorts since I’m missing Christmas already. Thank you for the help
I still have some questions about the Fluidized bed filters I need some numbers. X volume sand filters X gallons at X flow rate and they should only be X diameter and X tall.
All my numbers are more of a minimum once the budget is more set then I will look at expanding some things.
 
phixer

phixer

Active Member
I just realized that NOVICE150 is probably the guy who built that tank in the link you posted.

The leak developed when the epoxy developed a crack and began to allow water to flow through, the water saturating the plywood caused it to delaminate later on. This is why I think fiberglass is a much better method than marine epoxy directly on the plywood. Another method is to build an internal liner with 1/4 acrylic.
The epoxy I used was a light blue/turquois color marine epoxy. I got it at a boat store. Cant remember what brand it was though.
Iraq sucks, my first trip there was back in 1990 on the USS Saratoga (CV60)
VFA-83. Some of the other guys should have some answers for you regarding the fluidized bed filtration questions. I read that after awhile these things can pummel the media into a dust so a postfilter is almost a neccesity.
Today is Christmas here, sorry your there, as a VET I can relate.
CYA...Stay safe man. Let me know if you need anything. phixer@mail.com
 
jj_harrison

jj_harrison

Member
Thanks Phixer!
Im not dead set on the Fluidized bed filters I just thought that there were a good idea. any other sugestions would be great.
 
jj_harrison

jj_harrison

Member
Ok here is revision 5 I have it going to a box to recalculate for the skimmer and a pre filter. Then I wanted a tall large area for Bio Media so I thought of this 2x2x4 for a bio media storage, and it will have another pre filter maybe with carbon. Then a small fuge just to harvest to feed to the tangs. The only numbers I could find for a FBF is one pound dose 100gal, so I will have 20lbs in two containers. And I will be doing a glass bead blasting materials so the sand wont get destroyed.
 
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