18' x 9' x 3.5' catfish tank build in progress.....

basslover34

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Sep 3, 2007
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Tank is looking really good Bud! I think I might have to look into this type of design... only with larger boardsor twice as many 2x4's used on their face instead of the side (I'll have more depth to my tank so I'd want even less chance bowing in the future)

I'm thinking that you might want to take a 4x4 and attach it into each corner as well... you'll sleep better knowing that the corners are super strong and your no only relying on the edge of 1 2X4 to keep your 4000 gallons of water off the floor...Not that I would see a problem with it... just for peace of mind for the Future.

just my 2 cents worth...
 

northernguy

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 23, 2008
10
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Ontario,Canada
Its not big enough!!!!!!!!!!:eek:



Lol, That is an incredible build you are doing there.I am so looking forward to seeing finished.Must be nice to be able to swim with your fish...:headbang2
 

Verbosity

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 3, 2008
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Savannah
At one time you planned to put plywood inside and out side of this tank. Has that plan changed?

Tank is looking great!! I would want to be able to view from above. But considering what recently happen I understand closing it off.
 

basslover34

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Sep 3, 2007
4,852
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Montreal
Verbosity;2245099; said:
At one time you planned to put plywood inside and out side of this tank. Has that plan changed?

Tank is looking great!! I would want to be able to view from above. But considering what recently happen I understand closing it off.
If I understood correctly, he plans to make some doors for access from the top (could also come in handy for some viewing as well I'm sure ;) )

Not to mention I think he's seen enough of his fish from the top since they are all in a cattle trough and can only be viewed from the top at the moment LOL
 

necrocanis

Catfish God
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Oct 10, 2005
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basslover34;2243828; said:
Tank is looking really good Bud! I think I might have to look into this type of design... only with larger boardsor twice as many 2x4's used on their face instead of the side (I'll have more depth to my tank so I'd want even less chance bowing in the future)

I'm thinking that you might want to take a 4x4 and attach it into each corner as well... you'll sleep better knowing that the corners are super strong and your no only relying on the edge of 1 2X4 to keep your 4000 gallons of water off the floor...Not that I would see a problem with it... just for peace of mind for the Future.

just my 2 cents worth...
Don't worry the pressure will not be sitting on the edge of a 2x4. It's a 2x4 covered in .75" ply inside, and .50 ply outside along with an elaborate system of outer bracing with 2x10s. I'll post up the sketch so that you can look again and see what I am talking about. Those areas with the 2x10s will have 7.25" of wood between the water and the air. You'll see what I am talking about. I still have to purchase the 2x10s. This will also have a layer of fiberglass inside with a gel coat over top of that. I'll be resting easy!:D:headbang2

basslover34;2245324; said:
If I understood correctly, he plans to make some doors for access from the top (could also come in handy for some viewing as well I'm sure ;) )

Not to mention I think he's seen enough of his fish from the top since they are all in a cattle trough and can only be viewed from the top at the moment LOL
Again I'm reposting the drawing. There's a large section of the top that will be glass and I'll be able to view them that way, and when the weather is nice or I'm cleaning I can remove those sections and get a nice large overhead view. I still intend to view from above, that's one of the main reasons this is on the ground. I love the way catfish look from above, and it's awesome watching them eat from that angle. Also awesome to watch the oscars eat from above. Something seems so natural about it. Anyway there will be about a 12' x 4' area that can be opened up for top viewing and for me to take a dip with the fishes!!!! There might be a underwater webcam in this tank's future also! Monster vision!!!

In other news I'll be working tonight on this with redtailnobs. We want to get some major ply added!!! make this thing look like a tank finally lol. I'm hanging on to most of my money for now, and I'm going to save up for the glass and gel coat so that I can get it all at once. Till then there's plenty of wood work to be done.:naughty:

Oh if you look at the pic all the top glass will be removable. The corners and middle back will also be removable. I'll take tons of pics of what we do tonight for you guys to look at!!!

finished%20tank2.png
 
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