Pros/Cons of DIY wood/glass in-wall 200gal+?

[llebcire]

I'm sure that this has been discussed, and if so I apologize! Search doesn't work so well for me...

We're just finishing building a house, and I'm planning on doing an in-wall tank in the basement, thinking between 200-300 gallons plus sump/etc. Based on the area, I'm thinking a 72"x24"x36" tank.

Two things:

One, this isn't really a standard tank size.

Two, it could be rather expensive to have it built.

I've seen several DIY tanks constructed of wood and glass in the past, but probably wouldn't consider this type of tank for a typical stand alone application. For my application, the tank will be trimmed into the wall therefore you'll only see the glass and not the sides or back. Cosmetically, I am planning on lining the inside with black ABS (not unlike the back wall of my Oceanic RR).

I haven't found/read about any negatives to a DIY tank so I am looking for insight.

Aside from the risk of a leak (not unlike a glass tank), what could there be? It sounds like (from GARF) that these tanks, when properly constructed, will last 20+ years?

Thanks for any input!

~Eric

[toothman]

If you want a cheap tank look at "glasscages.com", they have very inexpensive tanks. The cost of the actual tank part of a reef tank is really minimal. Especially compared to what it would cost to tear down a leaker.

I would figure a reef tank like your size total should come in 10k ++ area. The tank est. $>2000.

Ed

[alien9168]

I agree. The amount of $$$ people spend on tanks, skimmers, and dosers, can be minimal to the money that is spent on other parts of the reef.

I say invest in a quality acrillic or glass tank, and wory about saving some $$$ when its filled with Water...You really dont want ---as the dentist said-- to tear down a leaker. ;)

[llebcire]

So...

The only negative appears to be the potential of a leak?

I would think that if properly constructed, the chances would be about the same as a convential glass tank.

I guess I'll start planning to build a tank, I just wondered why not many people seem to do it/talk about it if they do?

~Eric

[Kent E]

If you are talented you can certainly build your own tank. This is way over built and cost about $800 to make including cabinette and canopy but if you used cheaper glass and didn't over do it, it could cost around $600.

Maybe toothman is right and it looks cheap, I don't know, but I certainly enjoy the 450 reef.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b68/jcanute/120%20to%20450/100_1738.jpg

[Kent E]

That is an old picture when the contents were just transferred.

[llebcire]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7120887#post7120887 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kent E
If you are talented you can certainly build your own tank. This is way over built and cost about $800 to make including cabinette and canopy but if you used cheaper glass and didn't over do it, it could cost around $600.

Maybe toothman is right and it looks cheap, I don't know, but I certainly enjoy the 450 reef.


Very nice looking tank!

I don't think toothman meant "looks cheap" but was referring to the overall cost.

For me, the only part anyone will see will be the front. As it will be inwall, I can't imagine it looking too awfully different from a standard tank.

But, if you built that entire tank for $800, I may consider building my own glass tank! I was thinking $300-$500 to use wood and glass.

~Eric

[llebcire]

Whoops!!

Quoted myself when trying to edit.

Now, if we could only delete our own posts...

[alien9168]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7120984#post7120984 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by llebcire
Whoops!!

Quoted myself when trying to edit.

Now, if we could only delete our own posts...

I fall into the same trap...and then it tells you you cant delete your post :lol: :(

[GARFVolunteer]

I was going to build a 170 gallon corner Plywood/glass tank but the tank idea was vetoed by the most lovely and gracious Monica. Her only reason was that I could not figure out how to safely scrape the coralline off the back...

[alien9168]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7126469#post7126469 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GARFVolunteer
I was going to build a 170 gallon corner Plywood/glass tank but the tank idea was vetoed by the most lovely and gracious Monica. Her only reason was that I could not figure out how to safely scrape the coralline off the back...

:lol:

Monica's your wife correct?

:lol:

[GARFVolunteer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7126698#post7126698 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by alien9168
Monica's your wife correct?

Yes she is... and she is from Scottish decent.

[alien9168]

Is it goos that she's from scottish decent, or does that work against your reefing habit... ;)

[jaze36]

Kent E Are 3 of the sides glass? Is it more of a plywood frame?

GARF Voluteer do you run the risk of scraping off epoxy if you scrape off coralline, could this also be a problem scrapeing off other alge?

[GARFVolunteer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7129509#post7129509 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jaze36
GARF Voluteer do you run the risk of scraping off epoxy if you scrape off coralline, could this also be a problem scrapeing off other alge?

Yes, I did not want to risk damaging the epoxy by trying to clean the coralline off of it. I have made quite a few epoxy coated tanks and the finish has never been smooth enough to use a razor on it.

Thanks,

Scott

[jaze36]

I guess that everything has is positives and negatives. I guess for me that would be a negative.

[sfsuphysics]

I think the point toothman was trying to make, is why bother with saving a few hundred dollars on the cost of the tank when you're going to end up spending thousands upon thousands everywhere else. Similar to buying a $400 skimmer housing, then going cheap with the pump, sure it'll work, but why did you just buy a $400 skimmer housing?

Btw Kent my mom made that same quilt as you have on your wall! :)

[Kent E]

We had a local girl make the quilt for us, she did a great job.

The tank has three glass sides. The front and side frames are made from oak pieces. The back and bottom are made from plywood. Each interior corner also has 45s of maple to be over redundant. The interior was covered with M.A.S epoxy. It has held perfectly for several months with no signs of any problem.

I don't buy in to the bazillions of dollars neccesary to reef. Yes you will spend lots but DIY can save multiple thousands of dollars.

[scchase]

I dont know were you get saving a few hundred dollars from all the places that I priced for custom tanks in the 500 gallon range were in the 4-5k range so it is more like saving thousands of dollars and as a side note if built correctly I would trust a plywood tank over an acrylic or all glass tank any day.

[elvictre]

Eric I can say for a large tank I see no problem with wood and glass, but far a 200-300 gallon tank you could save money buying a glass tank from glasscages. If you were building a 800 + gallon system you would save thousands that you could put toward skimming, lighting and circulation. It would also be easier to drill a wood tank than putting holes in your $10,000 acrylic tank.....lol.

Vic

[lucubrator]

I'm very wary of glasscages, after seeing a 300g starphire tank they built split a seam... twice!

[Cole2k3]

are they are any other options- like if you went to a large aquarium are those tanks built out of glass or are they sealed concrete with a glass front?

[llebcire]

Thanks for all of the replies!

From what I'm gathering, there really isn't a significant advantage one way or the other, other than the purchased "quick fix" versus the DIY "labor of love".

I have determined that the dimensions will most likely be 72"x24"x36" which should provide a nice depth to the viewing area and roughly 270 gallons.

I'm approximating a cost of $300-$350 for the tank which I think is substantially less than a custom glass tank shipped to my house.

~Eric

[waynesworld]

Well I was in your place last month looking at a larger tank and after looking at the pros and cons of it I decided to build using plywood and then I decided I would change from a standard size to a tank that was really 3 tanks put together. So now I have it framed a u shaped tank with one side 11' by 3' the other side 11' by 2' and the third is 10' by 2.5' and is 3' deep. I can not wait to get if finished but am waiting for the rest of the house to get finished and then work out the flow. then the inside of the U is my fish room. Just a Idea. That is one advantage to the plywood.

As far as I am concerned I don't care to scrap off things of non viewing sides I let the coraline build up on my glass of my other tanks. But that is me as I would drive monk nuts.

[Kent E]

I'm glad to see that people are considering the plywood option. Please post pics of your finished product.

[Cole2k3]

any resources on building a plywood tank?

[llebcire]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7310080#post7310080 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Cole2k3
any resources on building a plywood tank?


Garf (http://www.garf.org)

Got to DIY (on left of page)

Enter desired tank dimensions

Following page will have quite a bit of information about the tank you are looking to build.

Other than some sporadic info from a google search, there really isn't much out there!

Do a search and you'll find some resources on types of material used to seal tank, this is also included in the garf page.