Plywood tank and Sump build.....

redtop03

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Wow Im a carpenter and never thought about a plywood tank! Very cool infinite possibilities!

absolutely unlimited possibilities, from what I've read about all the plywood tank threads I've followed, you don't really need the marine grade plywood, furniture grade hardwood plywood is much stronger and usually a lot better looking and easier to work with (for strongest plywood, count the plies, the more the plies the stronger) I used a subfloor grade plywood on mine and used automotive bondo to fill in the imperfections and screw holes and a polyurethane base construction adhesive in all the wood joints with screws predrilled and countersunk every 2 inches apart

I followed a 1000 gallon plywood tank that was built back in '09 with 1/2" plywood, but it had a 2x4 frame construction and double layer of plywood laminated with epoxy......as of March last year, it was still going strong
 
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ravi197699

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Thanks guys I went this plywood because Lowes is next door and other plywood is just not smooth enought and has rough finish so I decided to go with this, I am done with sealing the plywood and tomorrow I am planning on working on bukheads and closed loop and flow eductors for closed loop. Glass is on order and I am expecting to be delivered sometime next week. This week Plumbing should be done and Closed loop hooked up to and I am using Reeflo Dart/Snapper pump for closed loop with oceanmotions 4way. I might go with Oceansmotions for return as well since I have three Oceans Revolutions that I will be using for return they have 3/4" output on them. I will post pictures of the progress this week..Then I have start working on my led fixture that will be next but I have all the parts I need for 48" fixture that is going to be full spectrum fixture...
 
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ravi197699

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progress

Here are some more pictures of the progress Me and my friend installed bulkheads for return and closed loop and build stand for frag tank. I am very happy with final size of the frag tank its not very high but its deep and wide. Next steps are to seal this frag tank from the inside and outside and then seal the stand with waterproof paint.... I will be using Kevlar for and sealer for the inside of the frag tank and Dura rubber few coats on the outside as well same as the tank......
 

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ravi197699

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more pictures..

more progress
 

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ravi197699

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more pictures

Hey guys day before yesterday Bear Glass delivered the glass I ordered from them. Glass is 1/2" thick tempered (Regular Glass) and edges were polished to handle the glass safely. So we went ahead and installed the glass and I used RTV 100 series black silicone for this purpose. I did not lack on the amount of silicone that we used, We wanted to make sure that we cover all the gaps between glass and wooden lip where glass is sitting on and made sure that there is no air gap and then another layer on the inside between glass, sides, bottom and top of the glass to add extra seal. Today I am going to add 10 coats of the rubber sealer that is going to cover the silicone as well to to have consistent look. We used 4 clamps on the top to hold glass and on the bottom we used pieces of wood that are forced in tight between glass and bulkheads in the picture. Silicone has been drying since day Wednesday and I will be taking off clamps Saturday when I start working on the plumbing for closed loop. Once I am done with closed loop plumbing then will be testing the tank for any leaks with freshwater and have my fingers and toes crossed lol ......I will update with pictures while I am filling up the tank with water and then leave the water in the tank for all day with closed loop running and once leak test passes i will do color test to see he flow of the eductors..... more pictures to come ...
 

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ravi197699

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I have installed the Oceans Motions for closed loop and plumbing is done, I will add more pictures next is to plumb the input which is going to be though top with three Oceans Motions revolutions and 4 way Oceans Motions. I am trying to finish everything so that I can do leak test and test plumbing ...I will be posting more pictures of the progress but its getting very close..
 

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I couldn't even imagine putting something like this together!
 
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ravi197699

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Thanks revhtree.... I know exactly what you mean but I when got estimates from aquarium builders for set up of 220 gal tank, 2 (75 gal) sumps, 30 gal shallow frag tank I was shocked to see the prices, lowest estimate was 7900 which does not include starphire all around or closed loop drilling and waiting period of atleast 3 months only if tank makes delivery in one piece. So I decided to search on Google and I found out that there are success stories of plywood tank and long as we can seal them and make them strong so that they won't bow we should be ok. So this weekend I will be posting pictures of complete plumbing.


I couldn't even imagine putting something like this together!
 

Mtwreef

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Looking good keep pics coming so what is the total amount invested so far?
 
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ravi197699

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Hey guys today I got done with closed loop plumbing and install return Oceans Motions and Oceans Motions Revolutions. Everything inside is loose and I am not going to glue anything incase if I have to change anything in new future. I am using reeflo dart for closed loop system and there are total of 8 3/4" flow eductors inside that I can move in any direction. Tomorrow I am going to fill this tank with water and check for leaks and see if I have any bowing issue (I hope not)....I will add more pictures..
 

redtop03

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Hey guys today I got done with closed loop plumbing and install return Oceans Motions and Oceans Motions Revolutions. Everything inside is loose and I am not going to glue anything incase if I have to change anything in new future. I am using reeflo dart for closed loop system and there are total of 8 3/4" flow eductors inside that I can move in any direction. Tomorrow I am going to fill this tank with water and check for leaks and see if I have any bowing issue (I hope not)....I will add more pictures..

just a little something to consider before you start adding water, use something across the top in a couple places and mark where the walls are at on those pieces so you can monitor any spread, by laying a yard stick or piece of wood across, you should be able to see any movement if the front or back start to bow, if you see any bowing, stop filling, drain water and start considering more cross bracing, I don't think you'll have any issues but it's best to be sure :)

I over cross braced mine and wish now that I had tested the tank before adding so many LOL
 
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ravi197699

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Yup I am doing that and I took measurements for both sides and in the middle and I will measure again after I fill with fresh tab water and I am planning to keep the closed loop running for couple of days to monitor the any stress and leaks for closed loop and once I pass that stage I will add on sumps and run the full system full fledge....

just a little something to consider before you start adding water, use something across the top in a couple places and mark where the walls are at on those pieces so you can monitor any spread, by laying a yard stick or piece of wood across, you should be able to see any movement if the front or back start to bow, if you see any bowing, stop filling, drain water and start considering more cross bracing, I don't think you'll have any issues but it's best to be sure :)

I over cross braced mine and wish now that I had tested the tank before adding so many LOL
 
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ravi197699

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and one more thing, did you see that I have added 2 steel angle bars in the back ? You think those bars will bend with water once filled?

Yup I am doing that and I took measurements for both sides and in the middle and I will measure again after I fill with fresh tab water and I am planning to keep the closed loop running for couple of days to monitor the any stress and leaks for closed loop and once I pass that stage I will add on sumps and run the full system full fledge....
 
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ravi197699

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update

Here are more pics of the plumbing....
 

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