Plywood tanks

[bitterman]

Has anyone though about building a DIY plywood tank? They are supose to be easy to build! and work pretty well??

Plywood tanks are built using normally 3/4" plywood (For larger tanks thicker may be required) and wood structure. Then the tanks are fiberglassed and then finally painted. In the front a section is cut out and silicon applied, then a piece of glass or lexan is set it to provide the front of the glass (Glass is best since lexan doe not stick to silicon very well at all). My grandfather in BC has over 30 tanks built like this for breeding guppies, platies, neon tetras, goldfish and also betas. He was a large supplier for many of the pet stores in the 50's and 60's.

Since he was a carpenter and has lots of free plywood from forms etc it made for good use of the wood that would have be disposed after many of the jobs.

I've never built one, but remember as a kid seeing them in the basement all empty (He died in a construction accident a few days before I was born)

Bruce

[beowulf]

Would be interested in this.  Sounds like using fiberglass would allow to make the back of the tank into any shape you want and as such we could make it look like rock work etc and paint properly afterwards. 

[bitterman]

I supose you coudl do as you say, but these were all plain tanks, after fireglassing they were painted aqua blue.

Bruce

[BigDaddy]

I've seen the DIY plans for them... I'd guess they would be a very popular option for large or extremely large tanks that weren't "display" tanks.

All four sides are plywood that is painted and sealed.. and the "front" has a window cut out for viewing the contents...

I guess your trading work for $$$, as it looks like it is definately a weekend project for anything substantial enough to be worth it.

[babblefish1960]

Plywood tanks, having built some, work fine, they have a few inherent weaknesses though, the gasket seal around the glass, the endurance of the fibreglass, the shelf life of the paint, particularly with saltwater and the eventual deconstruction of the plywood. They can be constructed strong enough, and if sealed well and supported well, can last about 20 years or so.

Just like in house foundation construction, the more nooks and crannies and changes in direction, the more expensive it becomes to ensure a good solid stable water proof box. However, anything can be done, as wood is so plastic in nature, you just need to remain vigilant of the details.

[FreshWaterTank]

Check out this DYI plywood aquarium.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_plywood_aquarium3.php

[kennyman]

So should I gather from the nature of this thread that plywood tanks are easy to move about 

[babblefish1960]

They are generally much lighter than glass tanks, but they are often built-ins as this was the poor man's way to giant monster tanks.

[babblefish1960]

So should I gather from the nature of this thread that plywood tanks are easy to move about 

I can't believe that went over my head, sorry kennyman, I'll stand up next time.