DIY - Projects & Ideas • 300 gallon plywood tank build

[rotccapt]

got the front and back framed up and i temporarily set up the tank and put my drift wood in to snap a few pics. what do you think so far?

[13razorbackfan]

I think you are doing a very good job. What do you think the overall total cost will be? What have you spent thus far?

[rotccapt]

well so far i have spent around $200. my glass will be around $200, i have one more trip for more wood which will be $100-$150 and then my epoxy and fiberglass will be around $150 so for the tank itself my guess will be 7 to 8 hundred

[13razorbackfan]

well so far i have spent around $200. my glass will be around $200, i have one more trip for more wood which will be $100-$150 and then my epoxy and fiberglass will be around $150 so for the tank itself my guess will be 7 to 8 hundred

Wow....that is a very affordable. Does that include all the hardware, drawer pullout rails, knobs, etc?

[rotccapt]

yep everything but the pump, plumbing, heaters and filter media

[cantrell00]

yep everything but the pump, plumbing, heaters and filter media

You can probably get away without the heaters on a tank this size. JMO.

[fusion]

Looking good
I happen to have 4 gals of epoxy and a big roll of fiberglass

[rotccapt]

yea i probobly could but i already have two 300 watt heaters from my 120 that are not in use so i will be using them. also for now i will be using a quiet one 4000 to get the tank started then upgrade to a mag 18 once the tank is up and running. for media i am toying with using Poret foam found here *Vendor Link Removed*

[Mbunaaddict]

I may have missed something but where do you plan on putting this tank? The stand looks to large to fit through a normal doorway. It looks as though its in your garage now. how do you plan on getting it into the house?

[rotccapt]

the tank will have CA cichlids and the tank will be going in my bedroom. my stock list is
1x tiger oscar
1x salvini
1x green terror
1x jack dempsey
3x nic
4x fire mouth

the tank and stand are 36 inches wide but only 29 inches tall so when put on its side it will go through the door. the tank and stand will clear the bedroom door by 1/2 inch

[mel_cp6]

Is the 2/4" frame going to be the only thing that will hold the glass or will it have 3/4" ply behind it?

[rotccapt]

just the 2x4 frame. the back and side will have 1/2 inch ply

[mel_cp6]

Oic. How do u know it won't buckle under pressure specially it being 29" high?
Why also use 1/2" when 3/4" sound Iike a better option?

Thanks just trying to get the logic behind your decisions for future project.

[rotccapt]

well the water height will be 27 inches. also i have been looking at other tanks that are bigger than mine that used just a 2x4 frame for the front. also i chose the 1/2 inch ply because i was watching another tank which was 400 gallons that was built using 1/2 inch osb and a 2x4 frame so i figure that my tank should be fine

[mel_cp6]

Ok.
I've seen 2/4" used on front frames but the 4" were the one sitting on the bottom ply not the 2".
I just hope it all goes well for you after you put all the hard work. You are obviously a skilled and know your way with carpentry.
There was a member who did the same thing with the 2/4" and everyone was advising him to to it the other way. He didn't listen and after the fill up he was supposed to update and was never heard of again. Lol
We can only assume that it didn't go as he hoped or planned.

Good luck with the built and just try to keep an open mind when it comes to experience members giving advises. Not from me obviously as im waiting to see this tank progress.