Very early pic of my 50 gal tank build

spoonmerlin · 12-04-2007, 02:10 AM

I'm bilding the tank and stand as on piece that will be 4 foot tall 29½ inches wide and 19½ inches wide with a tank area of 18"x28"x24". The "water" subsrata area will be covered by 4" of plywood so the ground level will be up to the bottem of the viewable area. the top will have a built in light and will flip up from the back (so the light would not hit the wall) to allow access. The whole tank will be on heavy duty wheels so I do not need to tear down to move it.

The base is made of 2x4s the rest is 3/4 plywood with a smooth birth layer. The inside will have acrilic sheets on 3 sides for windows. The back and floor of the tank will have a epoxy resin layer (the box says it is equal to 50 coats of varnish). it is pretty thick stuff. Drains will be installed one for water changes onlt and one will be and overflow that goes to a storage tank that is plumped to a waterfall and sprinklers. After everything drys a Great stuff foam and branches layer goes on the back wall that will be sealed with silcone and covered in coco fibers.

Thanks the concept anyway.

Here are some pics so far.

spoonmerlin · 12-04-2007, 02:12 AM

kunerd · 12-04-2007, 03:41 PM

Good luck. Its looks like it could be really cool or turn into a real pain. Persoanlly i wouldnt feel comfortable with the wood holding the water. Also, How are you going to attach the glass to the front. Definatly want to see more pictures as time goes on!!

spoonmerlin · 12-04-2007, 03:49 PM

There will be plastic on all surfaces inside the tank. The front is another piece of plywood that the window will attach to.

spoonmerlin · 12-04-2007, 05:08 PM

I added the front and drains. Tomorrow I seal the bottom of the tank area and start the top while everything cures for a few days. I should be able to test water seals and work on the foam next weekend and then I'm ready to start on the planting etc.

nickboudin · 01-24-2008, 04:57 AM

Bump for an update.

spoonmerlin · 01-24-2008, 07:35 AM

Everything is going good. No leaks or issues so far. I have 4 white's tree frogs in here and a bunch of plants. I did have to put a vent on one side to keep the walls from constently fogging up. I will have to update the pics soon. Let me know if you have any questions.

I posted some more pics here:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/vi...sed-ready.html

**tundragirl** · 01-31-2008, 07:38 PM

I really like the hard scape- it's a good start. Time to try to find some plants pm me when it gets a little warmer and I'll send you some clippings
Cindy

12-04-2007, 02:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
spoonmerlin Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 20	Very early pic of my 50 gal tank build I'm bilding the tank and stand as on piece that will be 4 foot tall 29½ inches wide and 19½ inches wide with a tank area of 18"x28"x24". The "water" subsrata area will be covered by 4" of plywood so the ground level will be up to the bottem of the viewable area. the top will have a built in light and will flip up from the back (so the light would not hit the wall) to allow access. The whole tank will be on heavy duty wheels so I do not need to tear down to move it. The base is made of 2x4s the rest is 3/4 plywood with a smooth birth layer. The inside will have acrilic sheets on 3 sides for windows. The back and floor of the tank will have a epoxy resin layer (the box says it is equal to 50 coats of varnish). it is pretty thick stuff. Drains will be installed one for water changes onlt and one will be and overflow that goes to a storage tank that is plumped to a waterfall and sprinklers. After everything drys a Great stuff foam and branches layer goes on the back wall that will be sealed with silcone and covered in coco fibers. Thanks the concept anyway. Here are some pics so far.

12-04-2007, 03:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
kunerd Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9) Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Spring Lake Park, MN Posts: 682	Good luck. Its looks like it could be really cool or turn into a real pain. Persoanlly i wouldnt feel comfortable with the wood holding the water. Also, How are you going to attach the glass to the front. Definatly want to see more pictures as time goes on!! __________________ Filstar Pimp #27 "Insert your own tag line here"

01-24-2008, 04:57 AM	#6 (permalink)
nickboudin Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicopee Mass. Posts: 66	Bump for an update. __________________ I hope you can count, because you're just another number. 55 gallon Paludarium. 100% DIY. Filstar XP3. Questions? PM Me!

01-31-2008, 07:38 PM	#8 (permalink)
tundragirl Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (90) Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: wisconsin Posts: 658	I really like the hard scape- it's a good start. Time to try to find some plants pm me when it gets a little warmer and I'll send you some clippings Cindy __________________ Cynthia

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12-04-2007, 02:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
spoonmerlin Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 20

12-04-2007, 03:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
spoonmerlin Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 20	There will be plastic on all surfaces inside the tank. The front is another piece of plywood that the window will attach to.

12-04-2007, 05:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
spoonmerlin Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 20	I added the front and drains. Tomorrow I seal the bottom of the tank area and start the top while everything cures for a few days. I should be able to test water seals and work on the foam next weekend and then I'm ready to start on the planting etc.

01-24-2008, 07:35 AM	#7 (permalink)
spoonmerlin Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 20	Everything is going good. No leaks or issues so far. I have 4 white's tree frogs in here and a bunch of plants. I did have to put a vent on one side to keep the walls from constently fogging up. I will have to update the pics soon. Let me know if you have any questions. I posted some more pics here: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/vi...sed-ready.html

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