Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello,
Does anyone have plans for a wood tank? I have an idea of how I would like to go but why reinvent the wheel if someone has a good design.

Thanks,
Buffalojoe

Might want to read JT's thread... especially recent posts...

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=5259&start=660

CB

Depends on what kind of wooden tank you are interested in. I've seen some plans for essentially plywood aquariums on the internet. There are also ways to do plywood and framing and pond liner.

I'm not feeling terribly encouraging on either of those fronts anymore but I do live in termite territory. I've been replacing my lumber/liner grow beds with rubbermade stock tanks.

JT has been actively re-building his greenhouse system and is now re-building his wood and liner fish tank. His thread should be near the top of the list as it is active lately. I agree that it would be a good read for you before you decide to go for wood.

Wood would work... But is there a particular reason you want to go that route? Aesthetics? Otherwise, once you factor in the cost of wood, liner and possible re-dos in 2-4 years, I would guess the cheaper route might be a large water tank.

Consider some of these options. Scroll down the page to see the myriad of available sizes and shapes... This is what I am using for a FT, but sourced a used one locally for $200 and am VERY happy with it!! I just cut the top out of it leaving an 8" lip for structural support... The one I have is nearly a 1/4" thick all around.

CB

When I was working on the designs for our commercial system I looked at doing an all in one wooden fish tank/settling tank/ filter/ degasser. Quite an efficient way to do it except that we changed the basis of our system to get rid of the filter and degasser.

Also the marine ply timber here in Perth was rather expensive. Of course you may not want a tank quite this big.

I am doing another wood system again.... the first system did experience some termites but thats because I did not treat the ground or wood to prevent them...

this time I have treated the ground in and out of the GH and also treated all voids in the structures... I soaked all end grains and applied killer to the back of the plywood....

I will be able to remove the sides and do inspections every year and re-treat if necessary...

I have used a lot more treated wood and CDX exterior treated plywood...and am pretty sure this will help solve the problem....

the reason I used this method is so I can build to fit my situation.... A round tank in my GH would have taken up way to much space and limited my GB size... with a GH, you will have to make every sq. ft. count, so opted for a rectangle shape mainly to save that space...

JT

Thank you for the replies. The reason I am going with a wood tank is I have specific dimensions I am trying to work with 4'x4'x12'. I am not opposed to a ready made tank but I have not been able to find one with those dimensions and or under $1000.00 dollars.

How many gallons do you want? That link on ebay has 49" x 49" x 101" 725 gall and --525 gallon dim:---49"------49"------71"- (You could fit 2 or three in a 12' long spot... would even offer opportunity for multiple fish sizes/tanks...)

Not talking you out of wood, just want to make sure you saw the various sizes available/explored the whole option...

CB

Thanks for your help everyone! I have some thinking to do. Just when you think it is all figured out!

Always good to post your tentative plans before you actually start building, people often throw out options that could save you lots of money and headachs.

Good Luck re-thinking

Hi, I built a 300 gallon tank (4'x5'x30) and coated inside with fiberglass resin. Not knowing what we were doing, we did it all wrong.
Fiberglass guys said useing treated wood is a no-no as itd pop out of it sat in the sun too long, but I figure 2400 lbs of water might keep it down =)
Took 4 months to do after much frustration and sweat and about $800+ in materials. If I did it again I could probably make it faster and properly.

http://aquaponicsinparadise.com/APforum ... topic=61.0