How to build a plywood fish tank.

Learning how to build a plywood fish tank that works. You will receive step by step instructions on how to build a workable fish tank that does not leak and is cheaper than larger glass tanks. Most of all you will appreciate it more.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plywood 3/4 inch. sufficiant for under 200 gallons, anything over 200 gallons you will need 1/2 inch and 2X4 wall bracing sheeted on the inside of the box.
• 2 inch drywall screws, better for the wood
• Water proof wood glue
• polyester putty for a wood finish
• Bondo can be used on painted finish as long as the paint is water proof
• Marine epoxy resin or stone effects step 3 counter top coating. ( Potable non toxic to the fish)
• Mesuring tape
• Drill
• Hammer and Table saw or circular saw
• Silicone for the glass when you are ready to install into the front of the tank.
• Pre cut glass to the size of your tank 150 gallon tank you will need glass at 1/4 inches with reinforced front frame. You need to have the glass cut in this size for the 150 gallon tank, 94 inches by

1. start with the base panel 24 inches by 96 inches and than measure the back panel 96 inches by 16 inches.

2. Glue these two pieces together and screw them together every 3 inches so that the back panel sits on the base.

3. Measure the side panels to 16 inches in height same as the back panel and than measure the bottem of the side panels to go flush with the base. All peices need to be glued and than screwed every 3 inches.

4. 
    
   front side of the front panel.

   Measure between the side panels from the inside of the tank and than cut 2 2x4 in that exact leanghth. Make sure that you double check the measurments to the exact lenghth of the 2x4's. due to sometimes the 2x4's do not fit properly because the frame might need to be streightend out a bit, the 2x4's work as spacers but if the frame is not streight than they will not fit. To fix this problem you will need to push or pull the sides until there is no gap. If you have the problem where it is too tight to get the 2x4's in place this is where you will need the hammer to knock into place. (DO NOT SCREW THE 2X4'S IN YET)

5. 
    
   back side of front panel

   Take the 2 2x4's and lay them on a flat surface, Take your 3/4 inch plywood and make sure that the ply wood is the same lenghth as the 2 2x4's, Make sure that it is 16 inches in hieght like the rest of the boards. Now you can glue the 2 2x4's to the 3/4 inch plywood you just measured. Once everything is flush to the outside board than you can screw them together.(SEE FIGURE 2) The front of the panel will be the same as the back but smoother.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that the sides and the back panel are all the same hieght and flush with the base.
• You can paint your tank but make sure that you use water proof paint.
• When building your Tank please take care when using the power tools.
• Make sure that all building materials are kept away from small children and animals.
• Keep your Tank in a well aired area while using the paints and coatings for the water proofing as the fumes are strong.
• Try to stay away from any open flames.
• Store your glass in a safe place until you are able to attach it to the Aquarium.

[juanell]

on 5/23/2009 every time i see this "How too" i cringe, i keep seeing the same error and its what making this project hard, you say or the original posting that keeps getting copied says, 3/4" ply for under 200gal grater use 1/2 ply... are we not seeing the same thing 3/4" is thinker than 1/2" why is 1/2" safer for more water volume? its in reverse i would assume, am i wrong or just nuts, every post i see is also from people who has not made this thing yet, [your does not say that] but thats all i'm seeing, can some one who has made this tank and trouble shooted it, please creat a viable process for it?