193 gallon plywood build thread

After a good 2-3 weeks of reading/ researching, I am building my 193g 62" long, 24" tall, and 30" deep reef with a glass front.

It will have centrally mounted calfo syle overflows and it will be euro braced.

I plan on using UScomposites epoxy, 2 gallons worth, and then coating the epoxy with sweetwater medium or dark blue epoxy paint.

My friends and I cut up the plywood for the required parts on Saturday, and here are the pictures.

We got the bottom back and sides attached using 2" drywall screws and gorilla glue. I plan on using 45's in the corners by using trim, maybe 1/4 round or similar.

I need to now cut out the opening for the front pane, and the eurobrace. I do not plan on needing a centerbrace, but if I do, I will add that to the top center after I measure for deflection when I test it for watertightness with freshwater.




I just need to figure out how much eurobrace to leave on the edge, and also how much of a "lip" to leave for the pane of glass for the front. Then I can get to cutting those 2 items out,a nd then to cut the overflow areas out on the top back.

Tom

 

And here is the top set on top, and the front sitting inside.

 

Interesting, I'll be watching this progress and eagerly awaiting updates.

Cheers

 

Nice work Tom!! Suscribed for sure buddy!!

 

ive never seen something like this before. im not gonna ask any dumb questions, just sit back and soak it all in. go get em horkn , good luck.

 

I saw the title of this thread and the first thought that crossed my mind was "subscribe"! This will up 3Reef's plywood tank count to like two or three! Haha I can't wait to see it.

 

oh yeah baby!

The way I will be constructing this, with epoxy, it will be extremely tough, easily more durable than an all glass tank, and lighter to boot.

Glasscages.com has a similarly sized 5 foot tank with no overflows, or starphire glass for right around 750.00. Add shipping, starphire front and of course overflows, and I would be around a grand.

This tank will cost around 350.00, and 40 hours or so. We have a half day into it now, and so far about 135 dolalrs into it.

The local glass place has standard glass quoted to me for around 80 bucks, but I know if I go to the big dealer in Milwaukee, I can shave a lot of $$ off. See the local guys get it from the big guy in mke, so I could cut out the middle man, and perhaps go with starphire in the process. I am pretty much set on std glass, to keep the build $$ down. That and this is the basement tank, so its not like my showpiece that will eventually go upstairs, although this will turn out nicely.

 

aw man - 193 gallons - that sounds awesome

I really enjoy these massive tank threads, so I will be tagging along and dreaming

Steve

 

Nice work. I was looking into a bigger tank and this looks like a nice project. I'll be following up on this thread...

 

Stop by this week and check it out, and bring the PAR meter

Oh yeah, I need to cut out the top frame, and the front frame as well. That is the next step, just waiting on advice from fingerlakes forum's plywood tank gurus.