Jump to content

bottomdweller_fan

Edmonton & Area Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    528

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by bottomdweller_fan

  2. Project: 350 gallon plywood tank

    in bottomdweller_fan

    Posted

    Boom, thank you for your concern.

    All the research I conducted (and it was about 3 weeks worth) showed me that the garf plans have been used by a great many people with very satisfactory results.

    As you discovered :), I used 6 x 2" drywall screws spaced 3" apart. The Titebond III worked so well that when I tried to get some that dripped off after it set, I ended up taking a layer of plywood instead!

  3. Project: 350 gallon plywood tank

    in bottomdweller_fan

    Posted · Edited by bottomdweller_fan

    Well, it is finally done!

    First off, a few thank yous – to Frogfan23 (for putting up with my “small” projects ;) ), Doc_Polit, Ruadh, African_Fever, Sam_Chicklets, and Jvision for their support and help. It is very much appreciated.

    This is the first time I have ever tried something like this. After much research and thinking I decided to line the tank with pond liner rather than use epoxy (I had to build this in the basement and I have heard the epoxy fumes are terrible so I chose the pond liner).

    I used the plywood and acrylic plans that are available at www.garf.org

    The tank is: inside dimensions 94.5" x 36" x 24" (353 gallons)

    Supplies

    The cat was no help in this project :rolleyes:

    Tank1.jpg

    Tank3.jpg

    3 sheets of 3/4" marine grade plywood (had the store cut the wood for me)

    9’ of composite decking plank (had the store cut into 3, 3’ lengths)

    ¾” clear acrylic

    2 boxes of 6 x 2 drywall screws

    1 bottle of Titebond III (a wood glue that is waterproof, has a strength of 4,000 PSI, and is FDA approved for indirect food contact)

    Loctite® Super Glue

    Sandpaper

    16’ of 1 x 2 spruce lumber

    Finishing nails

    40 mil EPDM pond liner

    3 tubes of silicone (GE Silicone I Window and Door)

    Exterior wood varnish

    Assembly of the tank

    I had the first 8’ sheet of plywood cut to 37.5” to ensure the inside dimensions of the tank would be 36” wide. With the help of my husband I attached the back sheet to the bottom (as in the garf instructions) added a bead of wood glue, placed the screws at 3” intervals, and wiped off any excess glue. I then did the same thing for the two side pieces.

    Tank5.jpg

    The front was a bit more work. The plywood store cut the front piece but were unable to cut out the viewing area. I measured the front to ensure that there would be a border of about 2” around 3 sides and 8” on the left side (I am installing a filter in the tank that will take up that space). I cut out the area for the acrylic and then attached the front piece to the tank.

    Tank6.jpg

    I then varnished the entire tank both inside and out. I did 3 coats on the outside (sanding between each coat) and 2 coats on the inside.

    Tank7.jpg

    I then put the pond liner in and made sure it fit flat on the floor of the tank. The big challenge was how to put in the acrylic window and not have it leak. First, I attached the acrylic to the pond liner using a super glue that I tested on some scrap pieces of acrylic and pond liner and it worked well. Then I found an idea on a forum (don’t remember which one now) and modified it for my needs. I sat the acrylic in the tank on the pond liner and then placed the 1 x 2 lumber under the pond liner as close to the acrylic as possible. I then filled the area on all 4 sides between the pond liner and the acrylic with lots of silicone (both on the inside and the outside).

    Tank8.jpg

    Tank9.jpg

    The acrylic is behind the pond liner. I had to fold the pond liner over the acrylic to properly place the 1x2's

    Tank10.jpg

    More to come......................

  7. gravel vaccumn

    in General Aquaria Discussion

    Posted

    I would love to be able to change water by adding new water right out of the tap; however, I have a very old water heater and would be afraid of adding minerals that would be harmful to my fish.

    So I have to add cold water to a container and heat it using a heater. I add Prime and have found it to be one of the better products on the market, especially for chloramine removal.

  11. Hey There

    in Say Hello

    Posted · Edited by bottomdweller_fan

    :welcome: Welcome to Alberta Aquatica! Are you still interested in African fish (other than cichlids)? There are some interesting fish found in the Congo river (ropefish, tetras, some cool catfish).

    Good luck.

  22. Howdy Landlubbers

    in Say Hello

    Posted

    :welcome: Welcome to Alberta Aquatica!

    Good luck with the plants. If you are able, get down to the south side to Nature's Corner store. They have some beautiful aquatic plants and various fertilizers and things. They are a sponsor of this forum, just let them know you are a member.

×
×
  • Create New...