Build a Better Looking PLYWOOD AQUARIUM

Learn the techniques involved in constructing a plywood aquarium to be proud of....not just a big wooden box.
To learn about building a glass aquarium with a plywood base, please also watch this video linked below. It is what got me started in developing my "Inside-Out" plywood aquarium.
• Plywood Bottom Aquarium

[@australianaquarist]

BIG NEWS…. the tank is now full of freshwater….. and there are NO LEAKS!!!!! 🎉🎉😊

[@jefftougher4593]

After being in the hobby for over 50 years, it's refreshing to see someone who's fairdinkum about what he does. I couldn't agree more about the aquarium family. Anyone who gets into this game for money is in it for all the wrong reasons. I love what you do and what you teach. I built a 8x4x4 plywood tank a few years ago now. I loved it. Only trouble was, everytime the heaters came on...the street light would flicker...hahah. Keep it up mate. Hope Monster appreciates your efforts mate.

[@australianaquarist]

Hey Jeff Thank you so much for your support! Yes , power bills are something I can’t get away from, but I just try and blend it in to the power consumption of the farm. We also installed a big solar system recently, which will invariably help. I hope you keep watching …. You are very welcome here!

[@Razgriz218]

Can't wait to see the tank when it's filled! Looks great sir!

[@user-bj4ym4lm8f]

I’ve always thought the same thing when it come to plywood aquariums that’s why I never pulled the pin Until I found your page looks super mint and I’ll trying to replicate it haha Cheers

[@australianaquarist]

Yep, the idea of a big black wooden box full of water , sitting in your living room doesn’t sound all that appealing! I always like it when people see my tanks and don’t even know they are made from timber. Let me know how your tank project comes along.

[@adamtaylor2575]

Love your videos. I don’t understand why you don’t get more views. Your content is of high quality and I look forward to every video. Thanks.

[@australianaquarist]

It can be a bit frustrating! Just time I think. Likes, comments and shares help! Thanks for your support

[@JJGreenEyeZ]

@@australianaquaristit’s the algorithm, don’t take it to heart…just keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll see that all of a sudden the numbers will spike out of nowhere…one bit of marketing advice (and please don’t be insulted) is that your thumbnails for the videos are awesome graphics wise, no need to change the appearance of the thumbnail, but if I were you, I would make the marketing text for the thumbnails a bit more “mysterious” and “click bait style”…it sucks that you have to play the YT marketing “game”, but click bait is a big thing especially on YT. People like drama, and mystery, they have to feel the NEED to click and watch your video..hence I would title the videos a bit more dramatically that’s all..I hope this helps..wishing you nothing but success!

[@australianaquarist]

I understand what you’re saying. VidIQ and ThinkMedia are also very helpful. It can get contradictory though, when I look at thumbnails and titles from other big creators ( Predatory Fins, BRS, Tidal Gardens, and what seems like an endless number of kids in Florida making saltwater ponds!). Often it’s just….”unboxing a Thailand shipment”, “ adding a million snails to my pond”….. Etc. Very basic. Different to what I learn on VidIQ. Not sure if this is an idiosyncrasy related to aquarium content.

[@PykeTho]

Woohoo! 🎉 So keen to see this system cycle, and eventually exhibit Monster in it!

[@australianaquarist]

Full steam ahead Pyke! I’ll be using tube worm housings as the secret weapon!

[@broman6662]

WOW, amazing tanks!!! Happy I found this channel!

[@australianaquarist]

Mate I’m also happy that you’ve found my channel! Welcome!

[@broman6662]

@@australianaquarist Thank you :)

[@markfranklin8831]

Wow can't wait for you to test this beautiful monster tank. 🤞👍

[@australianaquarist]

She’s full of freshwater now and NO LEAKS!!!!!!

[@owencasey6444]

Great walk through of the build, live to do similar for a South American monster tank

[@australianaquarist]

Hmmmm tangled roots arching down into the water. Dark gloomy recesses and a few narrow beam Kessil spotlights illuminating the fish as they swim in and out of the gloom!!

[@JJGreenEyeZ]

Long Island, NY here! Great video! The information you’re providing on building the aquarium, along with the pros and cons of using specific materials is fantastic and very detailed! We (the viewers) can tell you’re putting a lot of time into making these videos and I promise you it will be worth it in the long run! Keep up the great work and good luck with the new tank! I see you filled it with freshwater and no leaks!!! Woo hoo!🙌🏻

[@australianaquarist]

Sometimes it does get a little frustrating when I feel I’ve produced a worthy video and it struggles to get 2000 views . However, it’s feedback like yours that makes it worthwhile. I really appreciate you taking the time to do so. Thank you. I had the hose going soooo slowly all day, filling the tank…. Checking the concrete floor for wetness… listening… Needless to say I’m very pleased!!

[@JJGreenEyeZ]

@@australianaquarist I completely understand the frustration, but the views mean nothing..because the people you’re teaching here on YT are providing all positive feedback from what I see, and essentially it’s all about the hobby. Can’t wait to see this tank completed!!

[@Karebear9001]

Congrats! Can't wait to see it all done up

[@cannondale97]

The idea of creating a groove/valley around the base of the tank to seal/join the glass together is genius! It requires more work but it's definitely going to be much better over the long run. I'm glad I bumped into your channel few months back. Am looking forward to seeing how this scape is going to look like and the inhabitants that is going in there.

[@australianaquarist]

Thank you. However credit goes to the video I linked for the original idea. I’m very pleased you’re coming along for my tanks journey. Cheers for the support !

[@algawura2]

Great video. Loved seeing a couple of my old ugly plywood tanks. They were ugly. Great to see new methods being shared for plywood aquariums. The ugly exterior was something I wanted to resolve with my new display aquarium which turned out good. On your exterior bracing I had thought of going stainless at one point but it was way to costly. I will be interested to see how the aluminum does over time with the Epoxy coating.

[@australianaquarist]

Oops!! Hope I didn’t offend!? Yes, the aluminium bracing with saltwater was my biggest pain point. Freshwater, not a problem. I was thinking of stainless steel, but thought it would still tea stain and contaminate the water.

[@algawura2]

@@australianaquarist I agree those tanks were ugly. I built them purely for utility and not looks. I shifted gear for the new display and finished the exterior.

[@Gilsfishroom]

Looking awesome Adam.

[@australianaquarist]

Cheers Gil

[@logan.vanderbeck]

Looking forward to it being filled!! The construction turned out great

[@australianaquarist]

Thanks Logan. I’m quite proud of it. Now the nerve wracking water test begins!

[@aaronarmstrongaa]

Thats incredible

[@australianaquarist]

Why thank you!

[@ParkersReef]

great video, very well put together!

[@australianaquarist]

Hey thanks Sam. As you know, now the real fun begins, so long as the credit card keeps working

[@ParkersReef]

@@australianaquarist haha indeed. Looking forward to watching the progress though!

[@Vroomy1986]

Cheers for the in-depth video buddy. I would love to do a shallow mangrove reef like this. Keep up the great work.

[@australianaquarist]

Go for it. Love to see some love for fiddler crabs!!

[@lorenzospina3174]

Rockscape amazing 😍

[@australianaquarist]

Convex aquascaping composition. Thanks, but I’m looking forward to covering it all with Acropora and leathers

[@Expeditionwildside]

That’s dope!

[@gaidin]

Best looking plywood aquarium Ive ever seen (other than your turtle tank vids Ive watched before haha)...your design is genius level compared to everyone else. I'd love to see a video on cost breakdown. I know how much a full 10ft glass tank costs, and it would be nice to get a side-by-side.

[@australianaquarist]

Well I think your wish may come true! I’m looking to build a 10 x 4 x 3 tank after I get Palau Reef cycling. I’ve got to get an Australian Arowana set up properly

[@australianbiotopes4563]

Getting there mate, looking good, I hope it all goes well for you with no leaks, I can't wait to see it finished 🙂

[@australianaquarist]

Fingers crossed! Haven’t had a plywoodctank leak yet…..

[@reconnaissance7372]

"Me imagining the millions of dollars it would cost to make this a reef aquarium" "Me wanting to do it without a job." "Looks at glass panels online"

[@australianaquarist]

There’s always a way. If you want to do it, you’ll find a way ! Luckily I love leathers, sinularia and common sps corals. I have no interest in chasing fancy named corals which helps !

[@jackspencer63]

🎉 Congratulations. Cannot wait till it's overgrown with coral

[@australianaquarist]

That woukd be you and me both!

[@queencityreefs]

Looks amazing brother 👌👏🙌✌️

[@australianaquarist]

Thanks mate. I’m loving the idea of getting this tank salty now and cycling.

[@charleshaman1782]

Great instructional video! That "silicon valley" of yours is known as a rebate channel; I particularly like the way you've fashioned it for Palau Reef over the original design of your outdoor tank.

[@australianaquarist]

A rebate channel. I like that.

[@colinmival9366]

Mate it looks awesome cant wait for ur next one one the tank

[@australianaquarist]

Thanks I’ll be sticking the hose into it tomorrow for the water test

[@colinmival9366]

Thanks to I'm I have gotten my head around it a lot better and i am start the plans for building my first tank

[@australianaquarist]

Nice one Colin. If you need advice just ask!

[@glub9075]

Lets go! Can't wait to see it with fish in it.

[@glub9075]

Also, im building a fully tempered glass aquarium, i'm using tempered glass as I can order it in from overseas for so much cheaper then to get annealed glass locally. Do you think I should construct the tank with the front and side pieces on the base panel or have the side pieces on the bottom panel but have the front and back pieces on the sides of the base panel? Tank is 40cm high with 10mm sides and a 12mm base, also flat polished edges. Tank would be rimless on top of a plywood base stand and have 6mm neoprene foam between the stand and the tank to avoid pressure points.

[@australianaquarist]

Glass tanks are usually built with the sides stood up exterior to the base. The base is therefore contained within the sides ( does that make sense?). That would protect all the tempered glass edges at the bottom.

[@glub9075]

@@australianaquaristSo have sort of a floating base design with all sides around the outside of the base panel?

[@australianaquarist]

@glub9075 yep That’s how most glass tanks are built. If you look closely you’ll see that the sides cover the base all the way round. All the pieces are laid flat on a table in the positions around the base piece. They have silicone applied and are simply stood up against the base. The second piece is done similar , masking taped at the corner to hold them together, then the third and last side.

[@glub9075]

@@australianaquarist Thanks! I've just found a really well priced annealed glass seller so I think I will go with that. In future videos, can we see a look into the surge devices/flow you use for your aquariums? Cheers

[@devachapman6315]

just watched this video for the 3rd time this month. cant belive there is only 433 likes... Adam I have 2 questions for you. 1. how are you dealing with the butt joints on the back wall? where the 2 pieces of ply meet? 2. for your aluminum bracing sounds like you had it made from angle iron? did they weld it together? how tight of a fit was/is it? BTW we need more updates on the tank. enjoyed the surge device video but we want more...haha

[@australianaquarist]

Morning! Where the plywood sheets met, I did the following: - ensured the butt join was over a stud, or in the case of the floor a joist. - plenty of epoxy glue. - after the first two coats of epoxy, I pressed fibreglass tape iinto the still wet epoxy. - continued to build up the coats of epoxy and then polyurethane. The butt joins are easiest on the floor, because the epoxy runs into the crack and fills and seals it. I still used cloth though. The bracing is one piece TIG welded aluminium angle. 50 x 50 x 6mm , with three flat bar cross braces. I stressed a bit about how much extra room to give for the bracing. Especially so because I found the tank to be slightly “un - square “. I didn’t want the bracing to be roomy on one side and then tight up against the glass . I ended up adding 10mm to both the bracing length and width, giving an overall 5 mm all around. It sat down over the tank perfectly, and I just put a few plastic packers in before siliconing, just to make sure the gap was even all the way round.

[@devachapman6315]

@@australianaquarist thanks I forgot you freaked out a back wall then added the wood to that. Still the info help I’ll review it when I am ready to build. You’re da man!

[@devachapman6315]

Dude! you pop up om YT feed. guess the bots know my style...I watched that vid you ref. always wanted to try that. as a fellow reefer I want to build a BIG tank in my basement at some point. got a new sub. keep the build going. if you have not ( as this is my 1st vid. I have watched) could you do a steep by steep tutorial? would be a great series and another excuse to build a another tank... haha

[@australianaquarist]

Hey mate, you are very welcome to spend some time checking out my channel ! I find KZbin a little frustrating sometimes, hoping more viewers will find the content. Just time I guess.. and more videos. Check out this playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PL3TJwBL958AzZBv38c8uMJlVHD-rqr3bz&si=GxFHwwdexap4nPZ_ It follows the Palau build quite closely. I do have to build another tank soon as Palau Reef is cycled and stocked, as I’ve got a rescue Australian Arowana in need of a tank. Also check out this video I made after building my freshwater turtle and rainbowfish tank. It’s a bit older but helps to explain the steps kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2XUlnqQgbJ3ZtEsi=52vhUtbSoJ3aiJ8H Any questions, just ask Cheers Adam

[@devachapman6315]

@@australianaquarist thanks Adam! I am quite excited to check out your channel! that palau build looks amazing I need that in my basement...ugg I think you might be a bad influence on me. :)

[@australianaquarist]

@devachapman6315 you’ve got to do what makes you happy in this life.

[@michaeltmhenderson1823]

Lets goooooo

[@timoluck5564]

I really enjoy this channel, I had just discovered pool and balustrade glass for myself. I have one question regarding siliconing: what gap size do you work with for large tanks like this? for smaller tanks I usually use spacers to achieve a consistent 2mm silicone thickness between the glass panels, what do you use for tanks of this size? There must be more movement so thicker silicone might allow for that but at the same time there would probably also be a 'too thick'? Much appreciated!

[@australianaquarist]

Morning I usually aim for over 3 mm, though in reality it usually ends up being about 5mm. I feel it is a bit less critical with my design, compared to normal glass construction aquariums. It’s the timber recess at the bottom and the exterior aluminium frame that holds the glass together. The silicone thickness is important, but not compared to modern all glass aquariums, especially with minimal seems. Does this make sense?

[@bengathercole218]

Theres no video links at the end - of particular interest is the video of how to marry two panes of glass Great content

[@australianaquarist]

That’s weird … I just checked the video on my phone and the clickable end screen thumbnails were there. Never mind, this is the video kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2XUlnqQgbJ3ZtEsi=5m49LyMfWq6aJvAi It’s long, but the section on butt joining the two front panes is toward the end.

[@jeffdortch4190]

I'm thinking of doing a 8ft by 4ft by 30 in aquarium 2 viewing panels . Using an old 220 gal. The glass in 1/2 inch thick non tempered. Now building how you did your outside tank would you say I'd be fine or is the glass not thick enough?

[@australianaquarist]

My initial thought was I’d be looking at thicker glass if it’s standard float glass. But… it came out of an aquarium of that height, so it obviously worked!!?! So I’m guessing you’ll have one 8 ft sheet as the front, and cut the other in half , to make the 4 ft end wall. Bracing will be the key. Don’t underestimate it, especially with a tank almost 3ft high and using float glass.

[@jeffdortch4190]

How did u do the top rim in one piece? Weld brazing or custom??

[@australianaquarist]

I had a local fabricator shop TIG weld it for me

[@apolloravindran]

How long do you anticipate the cycling process to take to establish the tank? Can't wait to see it setup with critters

[@k01100]

wondering that too just depends how much bacteria will go in or if he will supplement with established liverock & such

[@australianaquarist]

I’ve got a couple of tricks up my sleeve to jump start the process. Along with aged rock from the holding tanks, I’ll be adding tube worm chunks to both the tank and a refugium. They are teeming with critters and obviously bacteria, and I found them pivotal when I setup the signal/twinspot goby tank. Full of life. I’ll also grab some additional GBR liverock from the LFS, turn the lights on and start with corals straight away. I believe in getting biology going asap, rather than slowly building up to lights and coral.

[@australianaquarist]

No bottled bacteria for me. I’ll be taking you guys out to the Rockpool to get the bacteria

[@australianaquarist]

@k01100 that’s the go. Established rock, some new liverock and a bit of Tidepool foraging. I plan on stocking corals from day 1

[@jarroddainton]

How do you heat and cool your tanks being in shed like that?

[@australianaquarist]

Struggling at the moment to heat the tanks I must admit. Last year was fine, but it seems installing two clear polycarbonate roof panels is allowing a lot of heat to escape. Another 600 w heater arriving shortly. For cooling I’ve always run the gauntlet, relying on fans for evaporative cooling. I’ve got away with it for a few years, but last year we had two days in a row where the water got to 30 Celsius and I lost a lot of Acropora. This coming summer I’ll be investing in a big chiller. I will still run the tanks warmer than is “ normal “ for the hobby - 27 Celsius, to reduce power usage.

[@jarroddainton]

@@australianaquarist im cleaning out a space in my shed as we speak. I've been out of the hobby for a few years but I think you have inspired me to come back. So I was very interested about heating and cooling im thinking an insulated room inside the shed.

[@timothyniper2480]

Where did you get the aluminum frame? Did it have to be custom ordered?

[@australianaquarist]

I’m not able to TIG weld, so I had it made at a local fabrication shop. It cost $800.

[@FreeSwimmer]

Glass is really expensive in the states too. My 1st tank (360g) was all glass sides 13ml with beveled edges, 10 years ago. .$800 for 2-2x8ft and 2-2x3ft pieces of glass. I got my start from same video. Since then, Ive built 6 more plywood/glass tanks. My current 300g has glass front and glass sides. They may not have quite as much viewing, by a bit, but much less $ and very durable and versatile. My 1000g tank was downsized last year to a 450g.. Huge energy and water savings. So I had to build the 300g lol Great video and Im all about plywood tanks. Years and years of excellent servicr so far.kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHyZgJpra8l3oM0

[@australianaquarist]

Yeah it’s interesting how one big tank seems to turn into another and another. I guess we’re lucky to have the space for our aquariums, which I do feel for those in apartments and can only have one little tank.

[@michelrood2966]

I don't see the advantage in having just the bottom timber. With all the fiberglass, paint etc . A glass sheet must be around the same price and much much saver than adhering glass to a sheet of plywood..

[@australianaquarist]

It depends on the size of the tank you’re building. Especially with wide tanks , the glass is much more expensive than plywood. I mean tanks 4ft wide and over 8 ft long. A sheet of 12mm glass 8 x 4 ft is crazy dear