Stand or not for huge plywood tank

[SeabeeShrek]

Ok, I’m at a crossroads right now. At this point I’m second guessing myself.
1. Should I fiberglass the seams and walls, then paint with epoxy.
2. Paint the inside of the tank then cover completely with epoxy resin.
3. Use a 45 mil pond liner, square up corners with seam tape for a smooth look.
4. Epoxy everything and apply 2 sections of pond liner around windows for extra leak protection.

 

[TyKornblue]

if it works, this will be epic

 

[wednesday13]

Ok, I’m at a crossroads right now. At this point I’m second guessing myself.
1. Should I fiberglass the seams and walls, then paint with epoxy.
2. Paint the inside of the tank then cover completely with epoxy resin.
3. Use a 45 mil pond liner, square up corners with seam tape for a smooth look.
4. Epoxy everything and apply 2 sections of pond liner around windows for extra leak protection.

IMO, fiberglass is the most “tired and true” method for a tank this size and should stand the test of time. Where people run into problems is using polyester resin for fiberglass then trying to get an epoxy or other type of paint to adhere to it. It almost always separates over time. If u want to use epoxy paint, use epoxy resin for the fiberglass or the same epoxy paint also for the fiberglass coats. If u use polyester resin, go with the proper gel coat like “factory made” fiberglass tanks.

I have built tanks with 45mil epdm liner and put windows in them. Its a bit of a challenge to get windows to adhere to liner properly but it can be done. The problem ive ran into over the yrs are fish eating through the liners leading to failure. Theres risk with any style of build and alot to wager either way when it comes to this point in a build. Many ways to skin the cat as always. FME, whatever way u choose to go from here, dont cut corners or try to reinvent the wheel to save money. It will come back to haunt you yrs later when its full of stock. Take ur time and do it right with a proven method. Personally id go full fiberglass so it lasts 25-50yrs+… polyester resin with gel coat should b the most affordable. Epoxy resin/fiberglass will cost more but may be better working in ur living room with.

Great build so far! Good luck with the waterproofing u choose.

 

[SeabeeShrek]

IMO, fiberglass is the most “tired and true” method for a tank this size and should stand the test of time. Where people run into problems is using polyester resin for fiberglass then trying to get an epoxy or other type of paint to adhere to it. It almost always separates over time. If u want to use epoxy paint, use epoxy resin for the fiberglass or the same epoxy paint also for the fiberglass coats. If u use polyester resin, go with the proper gel coat like “factory made” fiberglass tanks.

I have built tanks with 45mil epdm liner and put windows in them. Its a bit of a challenge to get windows to adhere to liner properly but it can be done. The problem ive ran into over the yrs are fish eating through the liners leading to failure. Theres risk with any style of build and alot to wager either way when it comes to this point in a build. Many ways to skin the cat as always. FME, whatever way u choose to go from here, dont cut corners or try to reinvent the wheel to save money. It will come back to haunt you yrs later when its full of stock. Take ur time and do it right with a proven method. Personally id go full fiberglass so it lasts 25-50yrs+… polyester resin with gel coat should b the most affordable. Epoxy resin/fiberglass will cost more but may be better working in ur living room with.

Great build so far! Good luck with the waterproofing u choose.

Good info, thanks. I believe I know the correct path now.

 

[SeabeeShrek]

 

[SeabeeShrek]

Thinking of going with a bog filter for on top of the tank. Doing it this way would allow me to place floating pond plant baskets to avoid buying 20 bags of clay pebbles for planting. It’ll also give me a place for my heaters.

 

[Tj203]

I’m currently designing a plywood tank roughly around 1900 gallons. I like the idea of no stand, but then I have to build an area for my filtration. I’m interested in your input here. The area it’s going in has cathedral ceilings , so height isn’t the issue. It’s just the extra weight is a concern. Also being in SWFL, it’s on a concrete slap with 24” tiles.
The pics show the direction that I’m going, except that the window will be 72 x 44 3/4”
If I keep on the floor it’ll be 4x4 base with 2x6 framing.

View attachment 1486948

View attachment 1486949

View attachment 1486950

View attachment 1486951

What kind of filtration are you going to use I just had to take down my 600 gallon because I couldn't afford the electric for the pump and the heaters?

 

[SeabeeShrek]

What kind of filtration are you going to use I just had to take down my 600 gallon because I couldn't afford the electric for the pump and the heaters?

I’m looking into an aquaponic type system. Fill the overhead sump with Peace Lilies and pothos, and in some shrimp & mystery snails for algae. Adding 2-3 digital heaters. The pump will be a submersible with 10’-15’ head pressure.
I had a similar setup on my outdoor pond and the electric bill didn’t go up as much as I thought it would. But then again, we now have a 280, a 240 and a 180 tanks now so who knows

 

[Tj203]

I’m looking into an aquaponic type system. Fill the overhead sump with Peace Lilies and pothos, and in some shrimp & mystery snails for algae. Adding 2-3 digital heaters. The pump will be a submersible with 10’-15’ head pressure.
I had a similar setup on my outdoor pond and the electric bill didn’t go up as much as I thought it would. But then again, we now have a 280, a 240 and a 180 tanks now so who knows

How many watts is your pump drawing also how are you going to heat this are you going to keep the room at a certain temperature or are you going to heat the water also what temperature are you going to keep the water at just curious because for my 600 gallon it was probably about 4 to $500 a month in electric

 

[SeabeeShrek]

Pond pump, 620 watts. As far as heating, the tank is insulated and I’ll be heating it to 75*