Need some info! Building a frag tank out of plywood.

IronRising · #1 09-13-2010, 04:47 PM

Hey guys, I posted this over in diy as well. Thought I might get some more people looking if I put it here too.

I'm in the middle of planning a build For a frag tank that has multi tiers out of plywood. It's cheap, easy to design with wood and should be nice and strong. My one issue is sealing the tanks. I've been doing some looking around online and two part epoxy seems to be the way to go. My one problem seems to be I can't find any that are fish safe in Alberta. I called a company in the states but it was 250 dollars for shipping for a 1 gallon paint can because the have to ship as a hazardous material. Does anybody know where I can get some in the Alberta area. Or can recomend a substitute to epoxy?

damtrees420 · #2 09-13-2010, 04:53 PM

zavlar not to sure you might be able to order from rona i think

fencer · #3 09-13-2010, 05:15 PM

I have an unassembled 140 plywood tank. All the holes are predrilled and counter sunk. The wood is two good side birch. All you have to do is put

glass in
screw it in
paint it

LMK if your interested...Wayne

zum14 · #4 09-13-2010, 05:27 PM

have you though of using some 3oz fiberglass viel and 2 part epoxy? I have a base built for my eventual frag tank I did this way. Ill see if I can post some pics later. Monster fish keeper dot com has lots of DIY plywood tanks on it as well for some more ideas. Im just not a fan of just paint or epoxy to seal, theres not much strength there. Look into East Systems or West Systems epoxy. I think I can get them for 150$ a gallon now.

saltynuts · #5 09-13-2010, 09:33 PM

i have a 45 gal breeder i,ll sell it for 60 bucks (newtank)

lastlight · #6 09-13-2010, 09:52 PM

I know they sell West Systems here in town at Industrial Paints and Plastics...not sure how much tho.

zum14 · #7 09-13-2010, 11:13 PM

This is pretty much what i did. I still have the base and have the glass for the sides. Havent got it cut yet and silicone. Its going to be my frag tank when I get around to it. Its 18" deep with a 4' by 4' approx size.

The original idea for the tank was a freshwater ray tank but things have shifted and its going to be for frags now. We will see how the epoxy holds up to salt. Should be great as its been finished to a black finish now and its basically built the same way you would build a boat except inside out. Little more strength with the veil and epoxy then just epoxy.

ferret · #8 09-14-2010, 04:31 PM

You may consider using the liquid rubber like 'Blue Max' which can be applied by brush or roller to the plywood surface. This is the DIY project - building a plywood tank - that I'm going to commence in winter ( or next year ) once I finished my DIY Led light fixtures.