520 gallon plywood tank

[Leebtattoos]

Looks awesome. What are you putting in it?

A few different species of gar. Probably some sunfish down the line. My folks live on a lake with tons of perfect size longnose gar and spotted gar. And once I find a good Cuban and tropical of size. But for now I just need to get it finished and full of water to see if I have leaks. Once I confirm that I can finish the room out and Then ill get very serious about fish.

 

[Leebtattoos]

Looks awesome. What are you putting in it?

A few different species of gar. Probably some sunfish down the line. My folks live on a lake with tons of perfect size longnose gar and spotted gar. And once I find a good Cuban and tropical of size. But for now I just need to get it finished and full of water to see if I have leaks. Once I confirm that I can finish the room out and Then ill get very serious about fish.

 

[Itsadeepbluesea]

Very nice I look forward to seeing the final product.

 

[Steve_C]

"Spread your wood fill like you spread your bondo" .. LOL too funny

Looking good looks like it's coming along really nicely. And nice to see a build thread with progress/updates so quickly. Seems some of the ones start out then just die off and leave ya wandering what happened with the build. Glad to see one that is rolling right along like this.

 

[nzafi]

Looks like you didn't use any fiberglass on the seams. Comfortable that you don't need that extra reinforcement?

 

[Leebtattoos]

Looks like you didn't use any fiberglass on the seams. Comfortable that you don't need that extra reinforcement?

That's the first coat. Directions call for a first coat, sand and fiberglass seems as step 2. Which is today.

 

[Leebtattoos]

Seams are now fiberglassed and second coat has been applied. Seems 99% good to go. I see about 2-3 spots that will need touch ups. I have about half a 1.5qt kit left. So I'll do touch ups and extra coating on seams for good measure with the remaining.

Also not pictured, but I'm using a full sheet with windows on the lid/bracing. It received a coat as well today.

Next weekend I will be installing the glass. Waiting for rtv and my dads going to help install so I'm not doing the glass solo.

Getting excited about this build now!

 

[Leebtattoos]

Tank is all sealed up. Inspection went well with the pond armor. For those who haven't used it, it definitely paints on better when the temps are warmer. I have no power yet in the room I'm building so a few of the early morning coats had me worried when it was barely 60*. But all is good now.

I live in the country and the closest town only had one tube of rtv, so that's on order and should be here this week and installing glass this weekend.

I did Score a 12" tropical gar so had to pick up a cheap cl holding tank for him. I got it with the full set up and the online fs is waiting to ship the gar for 2 weeks so I should have plenty of time to make sure this tank doesn't re cycle or anything. After the first night, it's good. Once all the fish color up I'm trading them in at the closest hobbiest lfs. A nice flowerhorn and some misc cichlids. I'll keep the featherfin cats, as I don't think they'll have any issues with the gar. If they do, they gone

 

[Leebtattoos]

Dry fit the top since I'm almost done wiring my room. Also rtv'd a strip of plastic molding in as a guide and support for the glass since it won't be comin down to the bottom of the tank.

Also, I've kinda started rethinking my filter to clean it up in the house. I'll post that in a new thread after I do a little search on here to make sure there's not tons of info on "under house filters".

 

[Freshwater4Life]

Looking really nice dude. Yea the top/ braces are the last thing I’m still tinkering with on how i wanna do it. I have glass lids from my 300 gallon I’m gonna try and use in there I think and save some money too. Also did sand between pond armor coatings and what grit ? 60.