Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => DIY => Topic started by: dexternovice on March 21, 2015, 07:00:59 PM

Title: Plywood tanks
Post by: dexternovice on March 21, 2015, 07:00:59 PM

Hi everyone.  I've spent the last few days researching building my own tank and have only become more confused. Have any of you built a plywood tank? If so, any recommendations?  I do have some experience building enclosures for reptiles, plenty of time, and the tools that I'll need.  Confusion and a lot of questions are what's stopping me.

Thanks,
Dan Payne

Title: Re: Plywood tanks
Post by: SKISWETPETS on March 21, 2015, 09:44:55 PM

Unless your going probably 8ft, from the research I have done in the past it is just not worth it. I kinda figured that it would be neat to do more so just to say you built it.... I still haven't built one yet. Still contemplating...

Title: Re: Plywood tanks
Post by: dexternovice on March 21, 2015, 10:23:11 PM

Quote from: SKISWETPETS on March 21, 2015, 09:44:55 PM

Unless your going probably 8ft, from the research I have done in the past it is just not worth it. I kinda figured that it would be neat to do more so just to say you built it.... I still haven't built one yet. Still contemplating...

Same here. Cost prohibitive if you go too small.

Title: Re: Plywood tanks
Post by: mibwb on March 27, 2015, 06:52:08 PM

IMO, if you want to built one do it....if you already have the tools, then biggest cost is the glass or acrylic for the window.  You might be lucky and find someone selling a used leaker in the size you want (a glass tank you could make several tanks from it by using the sides and bottom panel). A plywood tank generally has only one window. With buying supplies you end up with more then you need for one tank.  If you're unsure of using epoxy as the main sealer, use a pond or pool liner.
Here are some good DIY links...
www.cichlidforum.com/articles/diy_plywood_aquarium3.php                                            www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/diy-aquarium  this one you have to see...makes 3d background too          www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forum/showthread.php?270967     this one uses pond liner

Do plenty of research...find one that you like and can handle doing.
Build a small one....a prototype.......you'll learn how the epoxy and other sealants work, if you're never used them before.....that'll save a lot of problems.

I'm sure someone on here can answer any questions and check out the DIY section about the sealants...there's plenty of opinions to go around.....Good Luck

Title: Re: Plywood tanks
Post by: Mission Man on March 27, 2015, 08:06:12 PM

Here's some video links that might help:

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ziavg1DJWC4

 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdyANDq_x_s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ziavg1DJWC4)

Title: Re: Plywood tanks
Post by: dexternovice on March 27, 2015, 09:36:44 PM

Quote from: mibwb on March 27, 2015, 06:52:08 PM

IMO, if you want to built one do it....if you already have the tools, then biggest cost is the glass or acrylic for the window.  You might be lucky and find someone selling a used leaker in the size you want (a glass tank you could make several tanks from it by using the sides and bottom panel). A plywood tank generally has only one window. With buying supplies you end up with more then you need for one tank.  If you're unsure of using epoxy as the main sealer, use a pond or pool liner.
Here are some good DIY links...
www.cichlidforum.com/articles/diy_plywood_aquarium3.php                                            www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/diy-aquarium  this one you have to see...makes 3d background too          www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forum/showthread.php?270967     this one uses pond liner

Do plenty of research...find one that you like and can handle doing.
Build a small one....a prototype.......you'll learn how the epoxy and other sealants work, if you're never used them before.....that'll save a lot of problems.

I'm sure someone on here can answer any questions and check out the DIY section about the sealants...there's plenty of opinions to go around.....Good Luck

Thank you for the links and your thoughts.  I hadn't even thought about the leaders as a source for glass.

Title: Re: Plywood tanks
Post by: dexternovice on March 27, 2015, 09:37:38 PM

Quote from: Mission Man (aka "The Smilin' Cichlid") on March 27, 2015, 08:06:12 PM

Here's some video links that might help:

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ziavg1DJWC4

 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdyANDq_x_s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ziavg1DJWC4)

Thank you very much.

Title: Re: Plywood tanks
Post by: lohachata on April 08, 2015, 04:35:03 PM

i love plywood tanks..1 sheet of plywood..1 8' 2x4...1 sheet of 1/4" glass = 120 gallon tank...you can take apart a big leaker tank like a 135 and build 5 good sized plywood tanks..

Title: Re: Plywood tanks
Post by: thebbqguy on April 08, 2015, 07:23:30 PM

Here some free plans from Friendly Aquaponics.

http://friendlyaquaponics.com/docs/2010FREEPlywoodTankManual.pdf

The guy who wrote the manual is well known in aquaponics circles and the first I know of the obtain "organic certification" for an aquaponics farming operation.

Title: Re: Plywood tanks
Post by: agirard2003 on July 07, 2015, 10:06:19 AM

Here's a new build by Joey (King of DIY)

https://youtu.be/6FDUfglurns

https://youtu.be/dS6AJL3CAt0

https://youtu.be/swFoi1J7YTk

https://youtu.be/PflID7JtZ3U