building your own tank

[Soeman]

Has anyone ever built their own tank? What is the cost effectiveness of such an endeavor? Do you require special glass for it, or is it just the thickness that counts (depending on the volume)? Is it easier/cheaper to build it out of plexiglass?

I'm planning on building a coffee-table aquarium, or else I would not consider going this route. I figure my two main options are 1) to buy a tank and setup "table legs" _inside_ the tank to support the top and hide the filtration/wiring or 2) to use hollow table legs and build my own tank from scratch.

This project is just in the design phase, and will likely be (a) year(s) before it's actual conception, but I would like to figure out which path to take. I figure that option 2 will give me the biggest flexibility and allow me to choose the absolute best fitting table top to my surroundings; I'm afraid however that it may inflate the price of such a project to levels that just aren't reasonable for my budget.

[Soeman]

So I'm continuing my research here. Does anyone know of a way of weatherproofing wood for inside the tank? I'd like to make the table with a wood frame, and have the glass panes slotted into it, but that would leave the inside edges of the wood exposed to the aquatic environment, and would eventually deteriorate. The alternative would be 'fake' wood, but I think that will likely be more expensive, not look as nice, and not have as much variability in grains/colors.

[JetJumper]

why not just put a trim around the outside of the glass joints?  Honestly it will be a lot less of a hassle long term even if you managed to some how figure out a way to prevent the wood from rotting / water seeping through and leaking.

[mikerobart]

Well lots of people do in wall plywood tanks with only the front panel as glass. I believe they use some sort of body filler, then epoxy paint to coat all the plywood surfaces and use many layers. Lots of build threads in large tank forum on RC.

I imagine you could epoxy the bottom like crazy, and then hopefully silicone could be used to seal where the glass panels meet the epoxied wood. I imagine it would work just fine if done correctly.

So I'm continuing my research here. Does anyone know of a way of weatherproofing wood for inside the tank? I'd like to make the table with a wood frame, and have the glass panes slotted into it, but that would leave the inside edges of the wood exposed to the aquatic environment, and would eventually deteriorate. The alternative would be 'fake' wood, but I think that will likely be more expensive, not look as nice, and not have as much variability in grains/colors.

[Brent Shaver]

I do know for sure that if you cover your plywood with fiberglass epoxy, exactly the same as you would with the fiberglass cloth it will seal the wood completely.  And not to worry because as soon as the epoxy hardens and cures there is no toxic value to worry about.

[Soeman]

why not just put a trim around the outside of the glass joints?  Honestly it will be a lot less of a hassle long term even if you managed to some how figure out a way to prevent the wood from rotting / water seeping through and leaking.

My intention is to hide all the filtration/wiring inside the legs of the table: not possible with trim around the outside. And if I place the wooden table frame around the outside of the tank, it defeats my goal of incorporating the tank as an integral part of the table.

This is basically the idea of what I'm trying to build: http://www.thewallaquarium.com/aquariumstore/index.php/table-aquariums/42-gallon-rectangle-fish-tank-table.html . But I dont have the 1000 USD that's stickered on that item, so I'm hoping to slash costs by building it myself.

Lots of build threads in large tank forum on RC.

what is RC?

I do know for sure that if you cover your plywood with fiberglass epoxy, exactly the same as you would with the fiberglass cloth it will seal the wood completely.  And not to worry because as soon as the epoxy hardens and cures there is no toxic value to worry about.

Are you talking about the fiberglass body filler sold for car/boat repairs? Any idea if there's a transparent option? I would like the wood to show through.

[Brent Shaver]

Yes the same as autobody.  And yes there is a clear option for patching exsisting paint work.  I believe 3M has something you could use but best way would be to call an Autobody shop and ask what they would suggest as they use this daily.  Better then trusting a student at Canadian Tire (They will try just dont have the experience) to know for sure.

Also when you get this make sure you ask for the sanding procedure to get the glass finish.  I know you will have to wet sand it but not sure of the grit to use.  There could possibly be someone on the site that has done this or works in the autobody industry that could help out.

I personally havent used this for a glass finish, was always painted afterwards.

[Rybren]

RC = Reef Central

Here's a link to a plywood build on that site...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1749114

there are also a bunch of plywood builds and tips here...

http://fingerlakesreef.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=13&sid=65ade9aa15c494eea8ba4aa7553a503e

Between these 2 sites, you should be able to find a bunch of stuff to help you waterproof the wood.

[Plum]

Personal experience - Truck bed liner. I have seen many tanks, established for years, that use this. I forget the name brand of the product I use, but it is very simple to apply (no major sanding of the plywood needed) and relatively cheap. I used it on my 960G.

I have also heard lately of some persons using a product called Zavlar - unsure the long term effects, but the price is right. I have two containers of it kicking around in the fish room, but just have not had the time to build some more plywood tanks.

The only reason one would want to build a ply tank is if they are going large. I would say 240G+ - otherwise the cost savings is not truly worth time and potential risk.

[new2salt]

Found a couple of links to other sites and threads

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/diywoodtks.htm

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_plywood_aquarium.php

http://www.garf.org/140.gallon.html
http://www.garf.org/tank/buildtank.asp

http://www.jonolavsakvarium.com/eng_diy/menu.html

Some good info on compatible products for SW use.
NOTE: Caution with some marine epoxy resins - they may contain algae control and anti fouling compounds - not reef compatible

[JetJumper]

Personal experience - Truck bed liner. I have seen many tanks, established for years, that use this. I forget the name brand of the product I use, but it is very simple to apply (no major sanding of the plywood needed) and relatively cheap. I used it on my 960G.

I have also heard lately of some persons using a product called Zavlar - unsure the long term effects, but the price is right. I have two containers of it kicking around in the fish room, but just have not had the time to build some more plywood tanks.

The only reason one would want to build a ply tank is if they are going large. I would say 240G+ - otherwise the cost savings is not truly worth time and potential risk.

This stuff.
http://www.linex.com/

When I worked for a landscaping company, we redid the fountain in Nepean Town Hall.  This is what we used to line the indoor fountain.