My Huge DIY Plywood Aquarium is Almost Complete! (Part Three)
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- čas přidán 15. 06. 2024
- Today, is part three of my biggest project yet - building my giant DIY plywood aquarium! In the video, I work on waterproofing the plywood tan with fiberglass and pond shield. The pond shield seals all of the tank to make it waterproof, while the fiberglassing reinforces the seams and corners of the tank. After 2-3 more coats of pond shield, this plywood aquarium will be ready for water!
This is my first time building a plywood aquarium, and I'm bound to make small mistakes along the way. If you're looking for a true "how to" video, I'd look up some of the Fishtubers who have more experience with these builds. I'm confident that this tank will all work out fine, but just wanted to throw out that caveat.
- Part One: • Building the DIY Plywo...
- Part Two: • I Built a Huge DIY Ply...
Below are Amazon affiliate links to all of the materials I used in this plywood aquarium build. I'll keep an ongoing list here and throughout the series:
- Pond Shield (Black): amzn.to/4b6QzYm
- Pond Shield (Sky Blue): amzn.to/48Xbb3s
- Fiberglass Resin: amzn.to/3u2AUbX
- Fiberglass Mat: amzn.to/492RE1x
- Wood Screws - 3 inch: amzn.to/47Seyrk
- Wood Screws - 2.5 inch: amzn.to/496QJx3
- Wood Screws - 1 inch: amzn.to/47Qq8mK
- Wood Glue: amzn.to/3OfVsob
- Sander: amzn.to/3OihjLH
- Sand Discs (60 Grit): amzn.to/4bd1tvR
- Paint Roller Kit: amzn.to/3OeTfcy
- Paint Brushes: amzn.to/42flPk2
- Silicone: amzn.to/3SjsOnw
- Latex Gloves: amzn.to/4b3GTxX
Plywood/Lumber (so far):
- 3/4in 5-Ply Birch Plywood: x3
- 2x4: x16
- 2x6: x10
Tools used/eventually needed:
- Miter Saw: amzn.to/47HVn3u
- Power Drill: amzn.to/47P35c0
- Corner Clamps: amzn.to/4b3HeAJ
- Circular Saw: amzn.to/42oQgEa
Join this channel to get access to exclusive content:
/ @cichlidbros
Thanks for watching! Stay tuned for more updates on the plywood aquarium!
If you have more pond armour, considering sanding the inside really well and apply the last cost with a squeegee. You will get a glass like finish and things like suction cups will work on it, plus cleaning much easier.
Thanks for the tip! I’ll definitely have to do that. Appreciate all the how to videos too man!
I love how @cichlidBros gives credit to you and others who have inspired and shown him what is possible. Seeing you comment on his video just makes me like both of you so much more. Peak humanity, encouraging growth is amazing and I wish I saw it more often.
Plus tip...sand the plywood sheets ans 2x4s before assembling, can do it outdorrs either. Than after assembling maybe just some easy hand sanding to assure wood pores are clean and free from whatever dirt came during assembling. Using gloves after sanding prevents from skin oil affect epoxi adherence..(maybe this is too much to be freaking about it :D )
That black is perfect. Troy, this build is going to be so amazing when it's done, let alone once you start the fish selection to go in it. People hit that thumbs up for more great videos on the build to come. Go TEAM TROY
When you finish this project you should surprise Quinn with a home aquarium like you did for Billy Donovan.
Can not wait to see the stocking of this tank.
You are the reason I've got my new 6 foot tank
your moving right along 🎉
It’s incredible! I can’t wait to see the next step.
SO stoked for this shit bro 🤙looks great Bubba
Bro that’s coming along nicely. Can’t wait to see the finished product. I’m truly impressed and inspired by this.
Nice job
This is gonna be awesome!!! So excited!
Bro this looks amazing. I hope it turns out as planned.
Makes me want to give it a try now.
freaking awesome man!!!
Thank you!!
Good job 😊
Great Build
I carn't wait to see the finished build looking fantastic 👏👏
Damn man,it looks awesome.now you are encouraging me to build one in my basement..can’t wait to see the fish inside.🙏🏽
Love to hear that!
Coming together🔥🔥 making want to make another!!
Thanks dude!
Looks amazing
Can't wait to see how u r Goin to aquascape dis big azz aquarium nice job
👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾on the video
very awesome video great project i cant wait to see the finished product
Thanks for watching!
@@CichlidBros your welcome anytime
Pretty sweet. Keep going🤙
Thanks!
Lookin great bro !!! 🔥🔥
Appreciate it!
Could you do a Cupid cichlid species profile please!! Thanks for showcasing all the amazing work!
It's looking great. Keep up the good work.
Thank you!
Wow!! Looks great. Especially for your first one. Can’t wait to see it continue coming together.
Thank you!
When I was a kid, the guy that got me into aquariums built his own tanks. All wood. He had a 750 gallon on one wall and four 250 gallon tanks on another wall. It was incredible because he had them built recessed and had paneling on the front and framed the edges. It looked like moving pictures. He also had access to the back sides for maintenance. They all were under gravel filters made with plastic egg crate and nylon screen over top.
That’s amazing
OMG your brother with that "it's gonna have water go everywhere" ....sounds like a challenge or wager?
I'm super jealous. I want a larger tank so bad, but can't afford it.
Didn't realize how big your tank was until you sat in it to paint 😂
It should hold water no problem can't wait to see it finished. A tip when installing the glass don't use a zig zag pattern when applying the silicone as this will leave air pockets. Personally I would apply "one or two" fat beads of silicone butted to each other with no air gaps between them and along the centerline where the glass meets the wood. With two beads you still run a chance of air being trapped at the top where the the two beads meet but it should be a very small line of air here and there. Also you can apply very small round 3/32" thick sticky back silicone pads between the glass and the pond armor to keep from squeezing out to much silicone during assembly. I've heard of folks using pieces of zip-ties as spacers but they can move around. I'm still working on my 750 gallon tank but took a completely different approach. I laminated two sheets of 1" plywood for each aquarium panel then I layed epoxy resin and two layers of fiberglass on what would be the inside of the tank before assembly. It's nice to be able to work on the panels separately when they are on saw horses as it lets me apply the fiberglass and epoxy without any clumps or runs. The color is a deep ocean blue mica powder mixed with "food safe epoxy" I purchased everything from Amazon. The aquarium will be assembled using epoxy adhesive and #10 epoxy coated screws. When I'm finished it will be posted on Monster Fish Keepers. Good luck with your aquarium! Your fish will be happy with all the extra room.
Its really huge with all that depth...Continuing to work even when u r sick and posting the updates regularly is commendable..
I just hope it is build to last..
Get well soon brother Troy 😊
Thank you!
Ur welcome ❤
🔥🔥🔥
This looks awesome! Your sump from custom aquariums looks like the one I have for my 220g cichlid tank.
Loving the build; it looks like you're doing a great job! One thing to consider... In some areas, code requires 4 ft unimpeded in front of that circuit panel; better to slide forward before you fill that thing with 3,500 pounds of water.
Thanks! Yep, I’ll be moving it into the back corner once finished
Good solid build 👊😉
Nice 👍
Looks cool.
Thanks!
this is awesome
You have inspired me to build one and sense we are in the same neighborhood... Who are you getting the glass from... Thanks
Love to hear it. Advantage Glass Corp in Mt Prospect
@@CichlidBros appreciate it 🙏🏽
That thing is awesome 😎. Really starting to come together….. and glad to see the bracing start to take shape 😂. Proper DIY project and it’s going to be great to see it finished up with whatever is going in 🐟🐠.
Obviously cichlids but how about a big Pleco?
Thank you! There will be cichlids in the tank, but not revealing exactly what it is just yet 😉
awasom i want one
👀 wow
Wow looks good but will it hold 4000 lbs of water? I would fear the plywood would not hold it. Good luck ! I look forward to seeing the finished product
Troy, you should do a Matthew McConaughey impression... 😂
With the amount of water pressure this tank will have I question whether you have enough outer framing at the bottom sides and bottom back panel. I was glad to see bracing on the top. I hope I'm wrong, but I can't see just glue and screws keeping plywood together at the bottom seams after a week or so. The stand is stop on perfectly built. Great strength.
As mentioned in the video, there will be additional bracing
Troy,
This is looking so good it is starting to inspire me to wanting to build my own now. I bet it’s cheaper than buying an aquarium that big lol. Does the pond shield have an odor to it? Like smell bad?
Thanks! It has a bit of a smell but not too bad
It is so closed in... that is so weird to me dealing with glass and Acrylic... I'm so curious to see this build!
looks great! Wouldn't it be extra sturdy if you made a beam through the middle at the top?
Yes there will be bracing added
How thick is the pond shield when completely finished? Is there a possibility of a rock or something sharp scratching deep enough to expose the wood underneath?
Why did u not frame the sides with 2/4.is it just the 3/4 birch ply?.every plywood tank I’ve ever seen built has extra stiff framing then the birch plywood on the inside.
Like I said a few times, there will be additional bracing added
I have a 75 gallon with 4 EBA. I want to fill it in with a variety of solo SA specials. Is it okay to do one severum and one tapejo? Would there be room for anything after that? Any suggestions.
Are you going to do a total cost build when you are completed including the sump?. Looks good.
Yep, definitely. Keeping a running total!
Hi sir, big fan of yours. I am currently having peacock cichlids in my tank but can I add 2 severum in it
I am looking to do the same type of build very soon and in the future making an even larger aquarium but the BIGGEST issue I run into is the viewing panel. Almost no one has a proper video explaining the glass thickness needed and/or cost cuts that can save you on glass aka x2 24"x24" viewing panels at 1/4 thickness vs one 48"x96" that needs to be close to, according to website calcs, 1&1/2" which don't sound right when I look at other channels who use 3/4" glass, 1/2" glass 1/4" glass. Because 2 24x24 1/4 thick glass is far cheaper than an 8ft panel with almost tripled the thickness. But I want to understand and know the reasons why for a proper build and not waste thousands on a glass piece that is overkill. Also the problem I have with the website calcs is that they calculate based on a full glass aquarium, not a plywood supported tank. If you have any insight I would greatly appreciate it, and continue to follow this mini-series for my future build. Thank you!
PS. I am looking on my local market and someone is giving away their 1/4" 60"x25" glass panel for free but have no idea if this is strong enough for the pressure of a 8ftx4ftx4ft tank.
and yess I am still doing research :/
Looks sweet, but did you use pond armor instead of resin when fiberglassing the corners?
Yes as explained in the video
How thick of glass will you be using? Looks great!
1/2” tempered
What are the advantages of a Plywood aquarium compared to a glass or acrylic tank ?
From the looks of it. You do not plan on moving to a different home. Because that means like once it’s build no moving that out your basement
Where do yall get your fish ?
As much I love this, I can't fake but I am equally scared of water rushing out, it will just need a small crack. Since it's in basement it's more scary. Again this aquarium will need maintenance right, repainting, not sure how frequent. Do u have any second thoughts of using a marbel on three sides and glass at fronth, I think that will be 100% water proof
This is a tried and true method of a plywood build and waterproofing. I’m not the first to do this.
It is very simple to do the inside of the aquariumthe most probable part to leak will be your windowthe window is the biggest problems definitely overkill sealing the window.
How many layers of fiberglass did you use? I thought I only saw one. If so, would it be better to put two layers of fiberglass.
One layer on the seams
I wonder if this is inspired from aquarium domain
I literally say this in the video
what do you plan to keep!
Haven’t revealed that one yet!
I did the same thing….but instead of pondshield I just used a super thick pond liner …cheaper
I didn’t want to deal with cutting/shaping a liner. Epoxy is much smoother/cleaner
You dont use any plywood in the front ?
You can. This is just another way
Why does pond shield always look so rough instead of smooth when it dries?
Gets smoother per coat added
How much did you spend on this aquarium?
Keeping a running total for a full video on this! Probably around $2k all in with some things I could’ve been smarter/saved money on
God i want to try this soooo much but so scared of leaks.
Hopefully I can show that even a beginner can do it 🤙🏼
www.youtube.com/@Glassboxmonsters
Looks great, but please wear a mask when sanding anything. You inhale a lot of dust particles without it. And it is no good for you.
Are you twins ?
Nope
I don't see a ring Marry me
I think you shouldn't be going with king of DIY's methods. He's absolutely wrong if you look how boats are built. The fiberglass is on the wood
I mean, you can literally see the successful builds …
Watch out for your knees bro!!! 😂😂
as a wood worker by trade I cringe watching this, I enjoyed your video info before this but now this is epic failure waiting to happen. Why would you no do the outside framing before finishing the inside, your seams are likely to crack after the exterior frame is added.
As mentioned multiple times in the series, I’m following proven tank builds. Thanks for the vote of confidence tho
@@CichlidBros 475 gallons @ 10lb each including sand and decor is alot of pressure pushing outwards, hoping for the best for you, ill deff stick around to see what happens
Genuinely puzzled why the sides weren't braced before waterproofing. Every other plywood build has substantial bracing on the sides to keep the structure rigid and includes securing the plywood to the bracing with screws from inside the tank... Maybe it's supposed to fail for extra clicks???
Haha like I said I’m following steps from proven builds. And the screws don’t go from inside out. But thanks for the concern
@@CichlidBros hope it works out! Which builds are you following for the bracing?