300-500gal plywood aquarium (1 Viewer)

[arthur08]

I want to build this aquarium at the begining of february. I wanted to see if anyone knows how to make them, or would help me make it(will pay), even just some good tips, such as what demensions, filtration, lighting, color. The aquarium will be for small shark, eel, stingray, lionfish, lrg angels. but i want to go all out on this one even thinking of doing some corals (softies maybe lps) but i need some of ur advice, suggestions, opinion thanks.

 

[BigRick]

Do a search. I remember a member who built a plywood, fiberglass(?), acrylic front tank here a couple years ago. I think he had a little trouble sealing the acrylic front, but eventually got it right.

 

[arthur08]

ill make a note of that thanks rick

 

[mike13oy]

His DIY Aquarium thread:
http://marshreef.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=29148

Why not buy glass or acrylic tank?

I think he spent more money on his diy aquarium then buying a new big tank.

 

[Tnconcept]

I seen some diy on youtube there is alot of peeps doing them on there. GL

 

[arthur08]

mike" ive talk to some ppl that done them and they spend about 350-450 making a 300gal tank with stand i got a quote for a 300 and is 1800 just the tank so thats why im trying to go this route unless i find a killer deal
tony" have got many ideas from guys on youtube that have done them i just need some good help
thanks guys

 

[Ostentum]

Unless your going to do 500g+, its not worth it. I have done a ton of research on plywood aquariums, and even seen how a couple have been done. $3-450, not a chance in the world. your going to spend more than that on the front piece of glass or acrylic. Your looking at more like $1300, if you do it correctly, by fiberglassing/epoxy both the inside and outside of the tank to prevent any kind of bowing. The one I recently saw was 800g done this way 20 years ago and has never had as much as a pinhole leak. Remember that this hobby is not a cheap one.

 

[Ostentum]

Did a little research on current acrylic prices, one thing to note is that the price of acrylic is directly tied to current oil prices. The cheapest I found cast acrylic for 1/2" sheets were $450 for a 4x8. 3/4" were $763. Starphire glass is actually more expensive from glasscages with 1/2" running 480 and 3/4 running 1024 for a 4x8 sheet, or $15 and $32 per sqft. The best deal I have currently found is the seller on here getting rid of the 330g.

 

[arthur08]

dang! ok well guess i better start saving more money i did watch the gay that made a 400 plywood tank on here and he mentioned that he couldve done it with acrylic for the about the same price.

 

[Tangs]

If it is in your basement you can use concrete blocks. Line the tank with non toxic material and a thick double pane acrylic as a viewing area. I have heard of a 2000 gallon tank being built this way. Hey I am off to the georgia aquarium in Atlanta (and other stuff to see and do) in april (I think they have a whale shark there)

 

[Ostentum]

Very few basements in the gulf coast, we have this thing called Ground Water that likes to ruin basements. Tangs you always have the most random offtopic posts. Also you dont want to know how much the cost on a double pane acrylic viewing area would cost. YOu would be better off having a tank maker build you a 500g, it would be alot cheaper.

 

[reefling]

i saw a pic with like 3 whale sharks from that aquarium... on to the topic. i found a lot of info on garf.org for all kinds of diy tanks

 

[Ostentum]

Yes they have alot of good info but they dont have anything over 300g in design wise last time I checked.

 

[arthur08]

ill check that out reefling and tang thanks for that option ostentum i think im considering this whole thing to do it out of acrylic or glass i just have to find someone with some experience to help me out