470 gallon plywood tank build (in progress with photos)

[Tigress Hill]

Can't you just take a tour around the US, so that you can build everyone a tank along the way?;D

 

[kb9plc]

kb9plc, sure I'll come to Chicago and build you a tank! as long as you can afford my flight, accommodation, travel insurance, building materials and tools... I await your response eagerly!

Hahaha, see there's always a catch. Darned moolah always gets in the way!

Can't you just take a tour around the US, so that you can build everyone a tank along the way?;D

Hmmm, we could split part of the flight cost then, at least...
Lol

 

[Tigress Hill]

Hmmm, we could split part of the flight cost then, at least...
Lol

Let's get more people in this deal first, then... perhaps

 

[Meeps83]

Lol yet another group deal! I'm in

 

[Tigress Hill]

Lol yet another group deal! I'm in

Good

 

[Scott H]

New pics, I know I said I wanted to water test it first and all but the rubber was taking to long to cure and my fingers were getting itchy from lack of work so I built the mane part of the stand(still needs trim and all that) and test fitted the tank, I had a lot more photo's of the stand in progress but they got deleted by accident.

I've also checked out under the house to see if the floor can take it and I'm confident it will without any modification. now I've got to save my pennies for a bit to get the glass.

 

[Gravel]

Nice work. I may have missed it, but are using a glass or acrylic viewing window?

 

[Scott H]

Gravel, it'll be glass, I'm not a fan of acrylic.

 

[APColorado]

I'm so glad you started this thread. I love watching the progress.

 

[Gravel]

I don't care for acrylic either. Have you looked into starphire glass at all?

 

[Scott H]

Gravel, I did ask about high clarity glass but the supplier in my area can't get it in the thickness I need.

since I've had to wait so long for the rubber to dry and save up for the glass, I've been fiddling with the plumbing;

The siphon pipes from the inside.

The same pipes leading to the overflow box.

And the overflow box itself. the part with the ball valve will be the return line spray bar.

So the idea is, there will be four siphons (two at each end of the tank) which take water from the main part of the tank to the overflow box's (one at each end) which then flow down to the sump. I'm thinking a three sump setup but I'm not sure about that part yet.

 

[frogbreeder]

Looks like it's coming along nicely. Very cool!

 

[pkeeves]

Scott H -- its been a while since an update. hows the tank coming along mate?

 

[Scott H]

Sorry for the lack of update guys it's a money issue ATM. Still haven't got the glass so I can't move forward yet.

 

[Cichlidnut]

Darn that money!

 

[Gravel]

Good things come to those who wait......What about keeping fish doesn't take patience? Don't worry, it will all come together for you.

 

[Tigress Hill]

*sigh* Money always gets in the way, without fail >.<

 

[kb9plc]

As soon as the money fairy visits me, I will be sure to send her your direction so you can have more fun with this tank!

 

[Magoo]

Money? What's that?

I know the feeling my bank balance has been poorly for a while

 

[Scott H]

Thanks for your patience and understanding guys, It's very frustrating though, like telling a ten year old that they can go to Disney World... next month...

 

[psalm18.2]

Any updates? I'm very curious on plywood tanks lately.

 

[outlaw]

Looks awesome so far. Is it done yet?

 

[Scott H]

Again sorry for the delay guys, I had some money ear marked for this project and my circumstances changed and that money had to go else where. It will be after Christmas before I can move on with this project now.

 

[Magoo]

Again sorry for the delay guys, I had some money ear marked for this project and my circumstances changed and that money had to go else where. It will be after Christmas before I can move on with this project now.

These things happen unfortunately but your tank will be worth the wait

 

[FridayGt]

Sorry to hear, same thing just happened with my muscle car project. Good luck though and keep us posted!

 

[psalm18.2]

Ya, life goes that way often for me too.

 

[Joel2036]

Has there been any progress ?

 

[Scott H]

Good news!! finally got some cash together and ordered the glass yesterday!!! they said it could be a couple weeks before delivery... but I don't care because at least it's on it's way!

 

[Joel2036]

Woooo !! Congratulations !!!
I have been checking this page so much !!
What's the next step after the glass ?

 

[Scott H]

After the glass is fitted I'll let the silicone dry for a week then do a water test for a few days then it's cosmetics and fitting the tank in the wall then filtration and wot not.

 

[AnthonyC4C]

WoW...just WoW.... This is absolutely amazing...I absolutely appreciate ingenuity!!!

 

[AlanGreene]

I cannot wait to see this tank finished, I came across this thread and couldn't stop reading from the first post to the last! I would love a huge tank like this... I always thought it'd be cool to just get a massive tank and put 200 tetras in it with a central island for them to school around, or like 40 discus and some Corry cats, man when that tank is done you have so many epic stocking options...

 

[Mandine]

I am so excited to see how this turns out!!!!! I am so glad you were able to order your glass. I want to do this and make a tank big enough for me to swim in with my fish.... LOL So yeah.

 

[Scott H]

hI guys I managed to get my hand on some rocks and thought you might like a look.



Not bad for free!

 

[AlanGreene]

They are nice rocks and there is a good amount of them for your big tank, great news!

 

[Magoo]

Very nice and even better they were free really can't wait till this tank is finished it's such an exciting project

 

[APColorado]

Awesome rocks. Great to hear about the glass being ordered, I too can not wait until this tank completed.

 

[Scott H]

Just got a phone call from the glass company. It'll be here this Friday at 11am!!!!!!
I'll be able fit it on the weekend!!!

 

[cichlidman]

Nice can't wait to see!

 

[crackedback]

Just got a phone call from the glass company. It'll be here this Friday at 11am!!!!!!
I'll be able fit it on the weekend!!!

Good Luck

 

[LyleB]

Congratulations, and yes, good luck with the glass install. Been watching your progress since September. I'm not sure I need/want this large of tank, but I may attempt something on a smaller scale.

I have to admit, I have a perfect wall for it. Between my living room and dining area. The wall was originally an exterior wall, so has a full foundation/basement wall directly under it. No problems with any weight I wanted there.

Again, good luck. Keep us posted.

 

[Scott H]

The glass came today rite on schedule and my brother came over to give me a hand to installing it.
we had it siliconed in and drying less than two hours after it got here!!! A+ for team work eh?



I'll give it 24 hours before I stand the tank back up to trim the ugly silicone then 1 week for full cure and then finally the water test!

 

[AnthonyC4C]

Awesome man!

 

[Scott H]

starting the test fill now, here's the first photo

sorry for the low quality, I couldn't find my normal camera
I'll be posting photo's over the next couple hours.
Wish me luck!

 

[Magoo]

Yay water test woop woop I'm so happy for you and have got my fingers and toes crossed for you although I don't doubt your tank building skills for a second

 

[Scott H]

Thanks Magoo!
second pic hot of the press/camera phone

 

[Magoo]

It's looking good

I would have so much fun stocking your tank although its that big I would probably fall in during the aquascape lol.

Was it cichlids you are planning to put in there?

 

[Scott H]

I'm going to try and do most of the aquascape with the tank empty so I can be in there and not swimming!
And yeah I want african cichlids.


Over half way and nothing's gone wrong yet!

 

[Magoo]

I think scaping whilst its empty but be a wise decision lol

It's filling well how long do you think once the decorating is done it will be ready for fish how are you going to cycle it?

If it was mine I would go blood parrots and corydoras

 

[Scott H]

almost full!

don't know when I'll be ready for fish or how I'm going to cycle it, but it will be as soon as I can!