redtop03's 360 gallon plywood adventure

[2frosty4u]

I basically have exactly what you're describing. I have two 3/4" intakes in the back of my tank which twin together in the stand and go through a Mak4 pump and then to an over the top OM Squirt 4way. Like I said early the sump is in the basement with another FOWLR tank, and a seperate fuge. I believe I read somewhere inthe last day or two that the SCWD can cause up to a 20% drop in flow because of the way the internal gears take the power from the water flow and transfer it to the switching motion. I would think you may want to consider installing the bulkheads now for the closed loop. If you do it now you wont have to disturb your budding reef tank and it wont cost a fortune.
For the cost of a couple slip strainer inlets with bulkheads, two valves, and a couple of end caps you're all set to upgrade easily later. Then when you have the funds to purchase the parts you want to use, you spin off the caps and tie in the rest of the plumbing and turn the two valves. Thats what I did on my 75g and next week I'm adding the pump and a SCWD. Should take less than a Half hour this way.

 

[masharp1126]

Redtop, I'll be tagging along. I'm currently building one as well. Have been for quite some time, but work and family have definately extended the time frame for mine. Doing the fishroom has become a bigger project than the actual tank. I am finally at the painting stage. All epoxy done and probably 1/2 of painting done. Install glass next and start water testing.

Did you get your eurobracing figured out? I ended up installing the angle iron in mine just like DsandFort did. His thread is full of good ideas. I've ended up using a lot of his ideas in my fishroom as well.

As frosty says above, if your even considering a CL later on, install the bulkheads and ball valves now. Will make it much easier to add the plumbing for a 4-way later. I'll be running 2 4-ways on my tank, but plan to hook up only one to begin with. Will go ahead and drill the holes, install bulkheads and all the plumbing, will just bypass a 2nd 4-way until I've saved some money for a 2nd one. Too many other priorities that I need to pickup first.

Are you building your own sump too? That's what I'm planning to do. Have about a gallon of epoxy left, so I'll just buy a sheet of plywood ($30) and have everything I need for a sump.

Good luck and look forward to seeing the pics. (I'm at work right now and can read threads, but can't see pics. Guess it's due to my works internet filters )

 

[Aquarist007]

thanks for the detailed answers redtop---and IMO you are fortunate to have 2frosty4u tagging along---he is one of the most creative guys on system builds I know.

I am curious of how you select the wood for the tank and what you do to treat it for use with salt water?

 

[redtop03]

thanx guys,I appreciate all the compliments and the advice

2frosty4u,I'm still considering the closed loop,thats what I plan to do,adding the bulkheads with ball valves now,adding the OM and pump later,sorry I didn't post that clearly,I can't type and think at the same time

it being plywood I can add the bulk heads after it passes the water test,I'll just have to re coat the holes and wait a week or so longer.

cap'n, at garf.org they recommend using the 3/4" exterior grade plywood,but if I had it to do over I would probably have used the furniture grade,as it is a lot smoother,the more plys in it the stronger

I used the epoxy resin with fiberglass mat embedded in the epoxy,that not only waterproofs it,it also makes it incredible strong,
I tried sanding some of the rough places to make it a little smoother,its like rock,so I have a lot of rough places inside the tank.

the garf style just uses the epoxy paint,while that does waterproof it,IMO it does little for strength.

the epoxy paint is used in residential water towers,for drinking water,once cured is non-toxic,it also adds the color,they have it in several colors,if I'd know how dark the dark blue was I might have used the light blue,but I am happy non the less

masharp1126,thanks and good luck with your build as well,I think with the top bracing, I"ll just leave it as is,it is extremely rigid now
it wont block that much light I hope.

I have the wood for my stand now,thanks to my sis,I'll try to get that started this weekend,cap'n that adds another $50 to the build

 

[redtop03]

masharp1126

I missed that question the first read about the sump,yes I do plan to build it also,but I need the stand built so I'll know how to make it fit under there and still be able to remove it if something goes wrong

thats something I'm gonna need a lot of advice with,the sump and the stand,I know how I'm gonna do the top of the stand but the walls I'm having trouble with,being able to install a large sump and still be strong enough to hold up 3000#s of water waving back and forth

 

[redtop03]

I've been playing with google sketch-up here is sorta what I have in mind for the stand

the top section is 2x6s on 16"centers,the walls are 2x4,in the front will be on 24"centers,in the back 12" from each end and 2 2x4s in the center,that would leave me about 3ft.openings for the sump, does anyone think I should do any thing different for strength,the ends probably wont get the center 2x4s but I will cover with plywood,


this would be the front

this would be the back

this is what I drew up before I started the aquarium

 

[redtop03]

after giving it some careful consideration today,I decided I needed to take some vacation time from work and get something done to my stand,the weekend was just too long to wait,

here is what I have done so far,its gonna need some more bracing,but I like it so far.

 

[redtop03]

I think I may double up on the upright 2x4s,after seeing it on here,they look a little flimsy

posting my build on here makes me want to get this thing done even faster,I think the cap'n knew that would happen

 

[redtop03]

cap'n,after I got the stand all screwed together,I took me diagonal measurements,and its out of square by about a 1/16",the lumber I used is from Canada,do you think that had anything to do with it

I don't think its from my masterful wood working skilz

 

[redtop03]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14911724#post14911724 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by masharp1126
Redtop, I'll be tagging along. I'm currently building one as well. Have been for quite some time, but work and family have definately extended the time frame for mine. Doing the fishroom has become a bigger project than the actual tank. I am finally at the painting stage. All epoxy done and probably 1/2 of painting done. Install glass next and start water testing.


masharp1126,
have you got a build thread going?

I think I've read about all the plywood builds on here

I'd love to track your progress as well

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14921969#post14921969 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redtop03
cap'n,after I got the stand all screwed together,I took me diagonal measurements,and its out of square by about a 1/16",the lumber I used is from Canada,do you think that had anything to do with it

I don't think its from my masterful wood working skilz

the lumber is from Canada---you mean to say you used knotty pine on the tank?:lol:

curious---how much does a wooden tank weigh in comparison to all glass?

 

[redtop03]

cap'n,
yep its knotty pine

actually this is some of the best looking lumber that our local Lowes has had in quite some time,very few knots,and straight

they've logged the U S so heavily,they're lucky to get a good 2x4 from the logs they pull from the woods anymore.

I've never had the pleasure of lifting a glass tank the size of what I'm building,but judging from the weight of my 150g all glass,I assume they're a lot heavier than the wooden tanks.

 

[Dante_JoseCuerv]

Hmmm, this is very curious. A tank made out of wood. Gotta give it to ya, this is something I never would have thought of. Kudos though! Hope everything works out, I'm gonna follow this cause I have to admit, I'm intrigued!

 

[redtop03]

Dante_JoseCuerv,

I was intrigued with the idea of a wooden tank myself,I read several threads on here about them,I wanted a large tank that I just could not afford buying,so I thought I'd give it a try,

I think right now if it had the glass in it,it would hold water,but if it were to leak like crazy,I have enjoyed building it,and would definitely do it again.

its definitely been interesting.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14926608#post14926608 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redtop03
Dante_JoseCuerv,

I was intrigued with the idea of a wooden tank myself,I read several threads on here about them,I wanted a large tank that I just could not afford buying,so I thought I'd give it a try,

I think right now if it had the glass in it,it would hold water,but if it were to leak like crazy,I have enjoyed building it,and would definitely do it again.

its definitely been interesting.

I believe the also said that Noah's Arc would not work and a leak was never reported----maybe Water Keeper would be able to comment more on that:lol:

 

[redtop03]

noah had the big guy helping him out,I just hope he has looked in on my ark as well

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14926913#post14926913 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redtop03
noah had the big guy helping him out,I just hope he has looked in on my ark as well

Maybe not--the big guy could be still ticked at everyone for destroying a little bit of the natural reefs of the world.


The big guy warned us but how many listen:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1157901

 

[redtop03]

yea its a shame,I only want the easy to keep live stock,I can't stand the thought of any creature suffering,especially something I'm responsible for.

and they just cost too much to buy something,and a few days later flush it down the drain

until I know I can provide for the harder to keep stuff,I'll just keep doing what I'm doing,

I was a little skeptical about the seahorses,but they claim the captive bread are some what easy,so far they are,I also have a brine shrimp hatchery in the seahorse tank,and try to keep plenty to eat for them

IMO,no one should ever try the wild caught,I think it was like 99% of them starve in captivity,

I have the 2 dragonettes,that only eat live food,so ever so often I order some of the live mysis shrimp from saltwaterfish.com just to make sure,but my tanks are infested with little bugs

 

[redtop03]

cap'n,

I was reading some on the difficult to keep fish link you posted,when I came across this post by the waterkeeper

The reason I've been off site for awhile is that I was the coach for the U.S. Olympic Checker team this past Aug. When I found the Chinese used marbles instead of checker chips, my team was lost on what to do when they made a King. Using my RC knowledge I gave them Super Glue Gel. Little did I know it was a banned substance according to the International Olympic Committee. The entire team was ejected from the games and I was held in a Chinese prison. Not once did I get Peking duck for dinner and was glad they traded a spy to bring me back home.

I've never talked with him,but I already like him

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14927445#post14927445 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redtop03
cap'n,

I was reading some on the difficult to keep fish link you posted,when I came across this post by the waterkeeper

The reason I've been off site for awhile is that I was the coach for the U.S. Olympic Checker team this past Aug. When I found the Chinese used marbles instead of checker chips, my team was lost on what to do when they made a King. Using my RC knowledge I gave them Super Glue Gel. Little did I know it was a banned substance according to the International Olympic Committee. The entire team was ejected from the games and I was held in a Chinese prison. Not once did I get Peking duck for dinner and was glad they traded a spy to bring me back home.

I've never talked with him,but I already like him

he is one of my esteemed mentors on here

Water keepers ocean is on the new to the reef forum