193 gallon plywood build thread

I read about plywood tanks on garf and I want to start on one this winter as im not happy with my 55 g and the center brace broke so I had to missouri engineer it back together.I'll be eager to see how yours turns out.Where are you getting the epoxy?can you give the specific brand of it so I'll know what to get?Good luck and have fun,that's a great project.

 

I got my epoxy from USComposites out of Florida. I think I have the link back on the first page. It is the thin epoxy, not the 150 thick stuff.

That brand of epoxy is well known for boat use, is low VOC, and a few have used it for tank making as well. Plus, it was the least expensive epoxy that I could find that i know is strong and suitable for tank making.

I will of course keep posting updates on this tank, so hopefully that can steer you in the right direction if you choose to do one this way. Please bear in mind that the smaller the tank, the less cost effective making one this way is. FWIW, 150g is about the smallest I personally would make a plywood tank. My construction is a garf derived, but heavily modified design.

 

Exactly. This will be an in wall tank, behind the bar in the basement.

Yes, I am either going to make, or buy a bigger tank for the Living Room.

I am thinking 300-400 gallons for the upstairs tank. That might be a while, because this tank has been keeping me busy, and will continue to do so for quite some time after it is set up and running.

 

Yes, 1 pane of glass, and the rest of the tank will only be viewable from the fish room which is behind the bar.

 

You can actually make 3 or even 4 side viewable plywood tanks if you want.

When the epoxy and or epoxy paint is on, the tank will look very professional and custom that you would never guess it was mostly wood.

 

No offense taken.

I should post some pictures of some of the tanks I am using as examples or inspiration.

Froc3's 160g turned out very well if you have not seen his thread here on 3reef.

Some of the other tanks I am using for reference are crazy engineered, and others are more simple, but all are effective.

For me, I now have a ton of spare time due to the economy, and I needed something to keep me occupied while allowing me to have a bigger tank.

At the end, I should have under 400 dollars into the tank alone, and a similar glass cages 5footer with out any overflows would have been like $750, plus around 100 dollars for delivery. Add in the overflow option, and I bet the tank would have been around 1000 dollars.

 

i've been spying on this thread for a while now. after i move i would like to do an inwall predator tank in the basement so i'm indebted to you for your terrific documentation. when this thing is up and running i'll bring you a pack of leinenkugel if you let me come visit!

 

Zjpeter, I am hosting the Wisconsin Reef Society meeting/ BBQ on September 26th from 4pm - whenever.

My goal is to have it fully set up and the contents of my 90g transferred over to it by that date. I should make that goal.

You are more than welcome to show up and see my tank then, and maybe meet some of your neighboring reefers to the north

When it gets closer to that date, drop me a PM, and we can go from there.

Tom

 

bro, i am going to write this date down right now. you will see my shining face there. in the mean time, keep up the good work. i'm loving it

 

Luna, here is one example of a plywood tank that has more than 1 side viewable.

Granted this one is like a piece of art, but you can see what can be done.

220g, plywood with epoxy, metal and sweetwater paint construction.