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.
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
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 😊
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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?
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?
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.
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?
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.
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
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.
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???
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.
@@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
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.
