I took a risk. 425 craigslist rebuild

[BearFish]

I know it has not worked out the way you wanted it to, but you should be proud of what you have accomplished and learned.


My two cents is to spend about ~120$ on two 8'x4'0.25" HDPE panels and silicone the cut to fit panels in place on top of the epoxy with 100 silicon% for plastic. You can find this 100% silicon for plastic in the plastic/lexan area of Home Depot.

If you do this, silicone the hdpe panels in between joints and inside corners. This will make it water tight, if the corners are ridged.

The plywood has probably got wet enough times it is weaker than the aquarium was engineered for. You will probably have to build a 2x4 cage around the sides and back. Also connect the cage around the front of the tank where there is wood. I.e. Leave the front viewable, but the window will be set in the width of a 2x4.

Good luck

 

[paulW]

So both are happening. The bottom plywood is bowing AND the center of the acrylic is bowing. The plywood is bowing because the acrylic is bowing. I'm honestly not sure how this was ever a viable tank, but I'm done working on it as a fish tank. I'll either keep it and get my wife a python or iguana, or sell it as such. We lost our 15" RTCxTSN this morning....

Sorry to hear that it didn't work out.
However, it's smart to realize when a project is a lost cause.
It's so easy to continue to dump money and time into a lost cause, thinking "I'm almost there", and living in denial.
That 1/2" front panel would've probably eventually given you problems anyhow. Not thick enough for the load, IMO. (I just saw this thread today, otherwise would've commented on it sooner).
I have told this story many times on this site. I had an acrylic tank, 300 gallon, 30" deep built out of 1/2" acyrlic which cracked years later due to being undermbuilt. I would not wish that nightmare on anyone.

Good luck with your new tank, I think you are making the right call by walking away from this.. Just be sure to make a thread on your new tank

 

[ITHURTZ]

Looking at the condition of the wood with bugs, its rotting and imo garbage. Go buy some plywood and 2x4's and get to a fresh start!

 

[OTp1144]

Thanks for all the kind words and advice everyone.

I have finally found a solution for my situation. This tank will be made in to a reptile enclosure. I thought about making it a massive amphibian paludarium, but I'm very hesitant to put water in it, even 6-8". So to not even take the risk, were either going use it ourselves for a massive snake or a group of bearded dragons, or sell it as such. Worst case, I get back what I put in to it and had a great learning experience.

On the other side, I was still in need of a large tank for the two catfish and rapidly growing bichirs and gar. So I went and bit the bullet on this.


It was previously a reef tank

So I did a ton of cleaning with vinegar and water.


Still has a lot of work to go. But in good news it's a 300g with the same footprint as the ply tank (8' x 2.5'). It's just a foot shorter.

It also came with a 75g refugium and all the plumbing and pumps needed for it.


Plus the stand and canopy plus a ton of other supplies.

The bad news, it cost $1464 to buy, move and get the couple extra parts to finish off the plumbing.

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[xraycer]

Happy to see the plywood tank didn't completely break your spirits. As functional as plywood tanks are, they can't beat an all glass/acrylic in terms of viewing and aesthetics imo

 

[superrob750]

very nice. you tried like hell to save plywood tank. good luck and i will look for the post on /r/aquariums.

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[mudbuttjones]

Looks like a great upgrade, congrats!

Seems like project tanks are like project cars - you're just inheriting the previous owner's headaches.

good luck with the new tank

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[OTp1144]

very nice. you tried like hell to save plywood tank. good luck and i will look for the post on /r/aquariums.

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Haha don't be telling them just yet. This is my surprise for reddit.

But seriously looking back, I'm not sure how this thing ever held water. I'm pretty sure I was lied to.

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[superrob750]

Haha don't be telling them just yet. This is my surprise for reddit.

But seriously looking back, I'm not sure how this thing ever held water. I'm pretty sure I was lied to.

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No worries. Secret is safe for now. I am pretty sure most redditors dont venture here that often.

Sucks you were lied too. People suck.

Cant wait to see it setup.

 

[OTp1144]

Closed loop is up and running. Waiting on the silicone to cure in the refugium to fully set up filtration.

Ran in to a slight hiccup when I was filling and forgot to close the call valves to the pumps and got a bit of water underneath the tank. Good news, the flood detector works and my shop vac is amazing.

Pictures to come soon.
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