My 650g plywood tank also Wetsuit

[sashimimaster]

Everyone getting along?


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

Well for the most part yes. I've had some squabbles with the VATF and Armies. One Armie almost had it's tail taken off. Just the other week the VATF had a big chunk taken out of it's side but it's healed now. I'm guessing the bully is the GATF but he does the damage then leaves alone to heal. I'm wondering if maybe he gets ornery when he's teething and needs something to bite on. The Tin Foils are getting a regular beating and one of them is blind and going down hill. I'm not too concerned because they were put in there as punching bags anyway. A little inhumane but it's better than the prize fish getting damaged. Funny thing though is the silver dollars never get touched. I guess the ATFs leave the round fish alone.

 

[vamptrev]

The armies will start taking shots at the sds pretty soon dont worry

I found that big balas are good dithers for armies too. Balas are always cruising and it rely ticks them off lol your tinfoils would be very similar





Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[Sarmo]

first- thanks for keeping this going! I too am thinking about a large plywood build. it is great to see long term follow up. I can't help on your fish as I don't know anything about your species. I will be building for an Aro and Dats.

from what I read your overflow inconsistency is because you were alternating between a siphon (max flow) and just overflowing (lower flow). seems like you're happy with where it's at so no worries.

with your sumps, do you wish they were glass or acrylic so you could see into them from the sides? trying to decide if that would be an issue for me?

great read and thanks for keeping this going!!!

 

[sashimimaster]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I'm pretty set on the flow issue. I've got it now where I can throttle the valves to match the flow of the pumps and it's been working for a few years now.

As far as the sumps. If I were to do it again I'd make them out of glass for the simplicity and reliability. I'm not too concerned about seeing into them but it would be nice to see if there is any build up. But the way I've got it set up I clean my prefilters so not much gets into the scrubbies. Secondly, if I were to do it again I'd get one canister pool filter and one sump with pothos. The pothos have been growing like weeds and are taking up nitrates. Compared to an algae scrubber the maintenance is almost nonexistent.

I think the main benefit of keeping this tank progress updated is to show people you don't need to build stacked 2x4 tanks or overbuilt monstrosities for a monster tank. You just need to calculate the necessary loads based on depth and add a little safety factor and your good to go. I see those over built tanks and just marvel at the waste of materials and money.

 

[sashimimaster]

The armies will start taking shots at the sds pretty soon dont worry

I found that big balas are good dithers for armies too. Balas are always cruising and it rely ticks them off lol your tinfoils would be very similar

Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

I've tried balas for dithers as well before but they get beat up on so much that they never survived long enough to be of use. lol I think the TFB are a little more rugged.

 

[Sarmo]

I agree that many tanks seem overbuilt. I understand how the fear of hundreds of gallons of water and your livestock on the floor can motivate some to overbuild. my problem is I don't know how tall 3/4" plywood can support without a supporting frame? I want a 30-32" viewing window on my tank, so the glass will need to be about 36" tall for the overlap. so I'm guessing that my tank will be close to 38" tall.
what pond filter would you use and what media? would you have a pre filter?
I am still in the planning stages..... thanks for the advice

 

[sashimimaster]

I agree that many tanks seem overbuilt. I understand how the fear of hundreds of gallons of water and your livestock on the floor can motivate some to overbuild. my problem is I don't know how tall 3/4" plywood can support without a supporting frame? I want a 30-32" viewing window on my tank, so the glass will need to be about 36" tall for the overlap. so I'm guessing that my tank will be close to 38" tall.
what pond filter would you use and what media? would you have a pre filter?
I am still in the planning stages..... thanks for the advice

For 38" tall you can build it similar to mine. Just make sure you have the walls tied together at the top to prevent any bows. 3/4" plywood is plenty strong enough as long as you reinforce corners and run a few layers of fiberglass too.

I would use a pool filter with a backflush feature then maybe a sump with a foam prefilter then some scrubbies and pond media. I've read that filter socks are really good prefilters but maybe too good because you'd have to clean them regularly. The foam I use is medium poret so it catches the big stuff and the little stuff gets caught in the scrubbies and breaks down anyway. I only clean my foam 4-5 times a year.

You may want to start another thread of your build so more people can give input. I used google sketch up to draw up my tank before I started building. It's really helpful to see how everything looks before you make one cut.

 

[FishOnCampus]

How big is your GATF now? Looks BEEFY

 

[stempy]

I don't know, I'd have to disagree on the overbuilt features being a waste of money. The frame around my tank probably cost an additional $20. I'd call that money VERY well spent, kinda like insurance I can climb on my tank, get in it w/e with zero fear of causing microfractures in the epoxy that would eventually leak!

 

[sashimimaster]

How big is your GATF now? Looks BEEFY

He's gotta be pushing 18". He is really beefy. Once in awhile he goes on a hunger strike. I think it's because he's teething but for the most part eats pretty well.