Hello Adam. I am a reef kipper from Poland. I am very impressed with your work. You have shown me another dimension of our hobby. Your tanks look more natural and biotopic. In Europe they look more artificial. You are an inspiration for me to create similar systems. Best regards, Piotr
And here's me with fibreglass matting! I used to know a guy who used potable butyl water tank sealer, another guy who'd epoxy the boards before construction and used bolts. I've seen over engineered welded tanks that weighed as much as a car, immovable concrete monstrosities that you had to squat down to see whats inside and unbelievably elegant all acrylic tanks that must have cost thousands 😁. One thing, i learn something new with every build and it's been a terrific education watching your techniques! Really looking forward to the next chapter and the eventual stocking of this exceptional tank😊
There’s definitely many ways to construct an aquarium, that’s for sure. I love glass tanks, and especially ones with minimal or no bracing. Just can’t afford them! My aim, has therefore been to build plywood tanks that have as much smooth and seamless look as possible. Not a fan of the big chunky boxes of water, but each to their own, I guess.
I love the way you are going about this build, Adam, and the detail you go into with each step, including the exact materials used and the cost! Great stuff, love your work!
Thanks metal h j ! I get asked if it’s worthwhile building random smaller sized (6 x 3 for example) tanks out of plywood. I honestly feel that the one sheet of ply for the base, sized tank , that is an 8 x 4 , is the most sensible starting size for plywood tanks
Your videos are the coolest and I get a ton of inspiration from your builds. I'm a reef hobbyist from the US, I hope someday Ill be able to see Australian reefs!!!
Hey James Thanks for your support. The good news is the the currency exchange rate works very nicely in your favour. You’ve just got to put up with the 20 hour flight!
Hi Adam. I hope you are well, Sir. Personally speaking, I think that edgeboard looks good. After the Aquarium is built, you can always cover the edge board with black or dark grey vinyl if you want. Over Six Hundred bucks so far. I hope for your sake that your wife does not watch your videos. I am already worried for your safety. Out of appreciation to you for taking the time to produce this content to share with us viewers the construction of this Aquarium build, the video has now been given the 110th Like 🤙🏼to say thankyou very much. Have an awesome week, and take care, Sir. 🤙🏼🙂🤙🏼❤️
Hi Ultimate! That’s one of the benefits of building your own tanks. Being able to customise the aesthetic. Luckily I have a supportive wife, who is aware of what goes into these tanks. I think it’s on track to be a pretty cost effective build. Thanks for watching the video and supporting my channel! Have a great Christmas
@australianaquarist It is my pleasure, Sir. I'm happy for you that you have a good wife who is very supportive. I know that you did not know. However, I do not celebrate christmas. I know that the Aquarium is going to look amazing when it is finished. Have you been considering the idea I shared with you about building a mezzanine and having an overhead sump? 🤙🏼🙂🤙🏼❤️
Yes I’ve been thinking things through regarding a tidal system, and the sump filtration. I’ve decided to replicate the 6 hourly change in direction of the tides, from left to right of the tank, and then right to left. Easy to do with programmable wave makers or even two programmable return pumps. However, as the tank is only 720mm high, and I’ll be keeping reasonable sized fish in it ( as opposed to mudskippers, fiddler crabs etc), I’ve decided that it doesn’t make sense to attempt to replicate the tidal change in level. I wouldn’t want the water level to drop more than, say 150mm, so the fish aren’t stressed. I’m not sure it would be worth the engineering for that little an effect. I think I’ll bring the biometric trays across from the estuary, and install them into a nicer wet dry sump.
@australianaquarist That is actually quite a clever idea to use the Esuery and a time saver, and you save money from having to build an overhead sump, etcetera. From what you have explained, it makes sense. 🤙🏼🙂🤙🏼❤️
Hi Adam, Thanks for your videos. Most educational. Can you please brake down the next episode in more detail covering the design and installation of the aluminium frame and corners? Using Aluminium is new to most of us. Regards
Great advice, I just thought it would be easier for me to build one like your plywood as I have had plenty of experience with epoxy doing a full boat restoration. Building a fully glass tank is a bit daunting to me but with research doable. What a great idea for your next project!!! LOL
Adam loving the build and the attention to detail making the tank definitely inspiring me to have a go ! Have a wonderful Christmas break look forward to the next episode
Not so sure. Coral aquaculture raceways - yes. But an average sized frag tank is not that big, and being shallow, means you can use relatively thinner glass. A 4 x 2. X 1ft frag tank made with 10mm glass would be pretty cheap to build yourself.
This series is great, the cost of a large aquarium doesn’t have to be $8000 and come with a shitty flat pack stand. I have the Red Sea reefer 750 and honestly when I built the stand I was so disappointed and honestly scared to fill the tank. In future I’ll DIY and your videos help a lot.
The aquarium has changed a lot since I was a teenager. I used to just buy a 2x2, 3 x 2, 4 x 2 etc. always timber pine stands- ugly but strong. Now companies seem to compete for unique sizes and names, are compelled to use ridiculously thick glass ( which drives the prices up, something that hasn’t seemed to have affected the freshwater side of the hobby yet). And yes, despite the crazy prices and thick glass, skimp out on the stands. I’ve noticed Cade for example, using aluminium stands which is great. So expensive though. I kind of worry about the ability for kids and teenagers to enter the hobby. Used to be under $500, now it’s more like $5000.
@ yep I remember those hideous old stands lol but they were cheap and effective. I like the Cade systems, because the stands are very well designed and have a great electrical area too. And the Cade are not much more than the Red Sea but far superior. You’re correct about these tanks being too expensive for beginners. Especially when all the equipment is hundreds of dollars per piece and the lights can cost $1000+ for a 4 foot tank. And after all that money the LFS doesn’t think to sell you an ink bird (or equivalent) heater controller or any power backup.
If you’re planning a large wide tank, you could just do a plywood base, and use broken down aquariums, to source the glass for the sides. That’s how I built my first plywood tank. I stripped a 7ft tank and a 4 ft tank, and built a 7x 4ft tank with a plywood floor. Couldn’t afford a sheet of 7 x 4 ft glass for the bottom, so went plywood
@ I’m lucky enough to get coral for the things I collect for my LFS but now fish are going into the pond it’s dangerous. Just spent $150 on a pair of ruby red dragonets 😍 🤣 But next year is the year 💪🏼 Using your build as my inspiration
good content ! I like the fillet cove idea. Have you tried an Epoxy Paste that doesnt require thickener ? Taking out that sharp edge between floor and wall is always going to be better for movement and cracking of the epoxy . waiting for the next video now
Boatcraft Pacific do have a premixed Epoxy Glue, which is thick. I just felt it woukd be best to demonstrate a technique that anyone, anywhere could use
its getting there big job ,, will it be ready for animals by the time you come up this way. (early 2025?? ) ??..let me know when so we can lock in dates cheers :)
As a old ex boatyard worker I know that epoxy by itself has no strength and will peel overtime. Are you coating the epoxy afterwards or applying fiberglass? Btw, if you didn't know already, fiberglass doesn't like sharp corners.Cheers
Yes , that’s why I installed a fillet into the internal corner before the epoxy and fibreglass. Makes the 90 degree corner into a smoother 45degree. Regarding the peeling. I’ve never experienced that before. I would expect separation of the layers of epoxy if the first layer is allowed to cure , and isn’t sanded before recoating. For this reason I prefer the wet on wet technique. I don’t see the need to apply fibreglass to the entire plywood surface, so long as the timber construction is solid. Unlike boats which are moving and flexing all the time with the ocean, a tank is under static load. Obviously some prefer to fibreglass the whole tank, I just see it as excessive and in my experience, unnecessary. Thanks for your feedback
Can you use just plain wood putty to fill the screws holes?. Prior to applying the epoxy. Or do you have to different stuff like builders bog. I am enjoying the journey.
I mix up a thickened epoxy with the filler powder, and patch the holes with that. I did it when I used the thickened epoxy to glue the fillet in place. I’m not sure about using wood putty. I don’t know how well the epoxy woukd stick to it. By using the thickened epoxy, you’re guaranteed a complete bond with the next coat
G DAY CAST DOES MATTER BUT IF IT YOUR HOBBY IT DOESNT MATTER I NOTICE ALL ROLLER ARE DOWN I THROUGH ANY EPOXY SMELL REALLY BAD TIMES HAVE CHANGE THEN CHEERS
Ahhhhhh now I see… The other doors in the shed are open, and I leave a fan going in the room also. I don’t like to close the fish shed up , after epoxying. In saying that, the Botecote is very low in fumes. Can hardly smell it actually
Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 everyone🎉
Hello Adam. I am a reef kipper from Poland. I am very impressed with your work. You have shown me another dimension of our hobby. Your tanks look more natural and biotopic. In Europe they look more artificial. You are an inspiration for me to create similar systems. Best regards, Piotr
And here's me with fibreglass matting!
I used to know a guy who used potable butyl water tank sealer, another guy who'd epoxy the boards before construction and used bolts. I've seen over engineered welded tanks that weighed as much as a car, immovable concrete monstrosities that you had to squat down to see whats inside and unbelievably elegant all acrylic tanks that must have cost thousands 😁. One thing, i learn something new with every build and it's been a terrific education watching your techniques! Really looking forward to the next chapter and the eventual stocking of this exceptional tank😊
There’s definitely many ways to construct an aquarium, that’s for sure. I love glass tanks, and especially ones with minimal or no bracing. Just can’t afford them! My aim, has therefore been to build plywood tanks that have as much smooth and seamless look as possible. Not a fan of the big chunky boxes of water, but each to their own, I guess.
I love the way you are going about this build, Adam, and the detail you go into with each step, including the exact materials used and the cost! Great stuff, love your work!
Thanks metal h j !
I get asked if it’s worthwhile building random smaller sized (6 x 3 for example) tanks out of plywood.
I honestly feel that the one sheet of ply for the base, sized tank , that is an 8 x 4 , is the most sensible starting size for plywood tanks
No video is complete without Reggie making an appearance and supervising the progress
He’s the cranky bastard foreman
Nice one mate! I'm looking forward to seeing it done 🙂
Whiskey got to me! Love it!!! Enjoy life my friend!
You are a master reef builder 🙌🏻👌🏻👏🏻
Your videos are the coolest and I get a ton of inspiration from your builds. I'm a reef hobbyist from the US, I hope someday Ill be able to see Australian reefs!!!
Hey James
Thanks for your support. The good news is the the currency exchange rate works very nicely in your favour. You’ve just got to put up with the 20 hour flight!
Hi Adam.
I hope you are well, Sir.
Personally speaking, I think that edgeboard looks good.
After the Aquarium is built, you can always cover the edge board with black or dark grey vinyl if you want.
Over Six Hundred bucks so far.
I hope for your sake that your wife does not watch your videos.
I am already worried for your safety.
Out of appreciation to you for taking the time to produce this content to share with us viewers the construction of this Aquarium build, the video has now been given the 110th Like 🤙🏼to say thankyou very much.
Have an awesome week, and take care, Sir. 🤙🏼🙂🤙🏼❤️
Hi Ultimate!
That’s one of the benefits of building your own tanks. Being able to customise the aesthetic.
Luckily I have a supportive wife, who is aware of what goes into these tanks. I think it’s on track to be a pretty cost effective build.
Thanks for watching the video and supporting my channel! Have a great Christmas
@australianaquarist It is my pleasure, Sir.
I'm happy for you that you have a good wife who is very supportive.
I know that you did not know. However, I do not celebrate christmas.
I know that the Aquarium is going to look amazing when it is finished.
Have you been considering the idea I shared with you about building a mezzanine and having an overhead sump? 🤙🏼🙂🤙🏼❤️
Yes
I’ve been thinking things through regarding a tidal system, and the sump filtration. I’ve decided to replicate the 6 hourly change in direction of the tides, from left to right of the tank, and then right to left. Easy to do with programmable wave makers or even two programmable return pumps. However, as the tank is only 720mm high, and I’ll be keeping reasonable sized fish in it ( as opposed to mudskippers, fiddler crabs etc), I’ve decided that it doesn’t make sense to attempt to replicate the tidal change in level. I wouldn’t want the water level to drop more than, say 150mm, so the fish aren’t stressed. I’m not sure it would be worth the engineering for that little an effect.
I think I’ll bring the biometric trays across from the estuary, and install them into a nicer wet dry sump.
@australianaquarist That is actually quite a clever idea to use the Esuery and a time saver, and you save money from having to build an overhead sump, etcetera.
From what you have explained, it makes sense. 🤙🏼🙂🤙🏼❤️
Hi Adam,
Thanks for your videos. Most educational.
Can you please brake down the next episode in more detail covering the design and installation of the aluminium frame and corners? Using Aluminium is new to most of us. Regards
Can do Bill
However I’ll be using stainless steel for this one!
Thank you sooo much for making these DIY series ❤❤❤
You're welcome! Hope it helps you with your tank.
W, Awesome keep it up more details 😎 .
Great advice, I just thought it would be easier for me to build one like your plywood as I have had plenty of experience with epoxy doing a full boat restoration. Building a fully glass tank is a bit daunting to me but with research doable. What a great idea for your next project!!! LOL
Nice Adam, like the attention to detail. Well done.
Adam loving the build and the attention to detail making the tank definitely inspiring me to have a go ! Have a wonderful Christmas break look forward to the next episode
Thanks Orometo. I hope you too enjoy some relax time this Christmas
I think this will be another awesome build 😊 I hope you have a fantastic Christmas and new year, see you next year 😊
You too John. Enjoy and be Merry
Way to go Big Ad !!! I’m thinking a frag tank made this way could be cost effective 👍
Not so sure. Coral aquaculture raceways - yes. But an average sized frag tank is not that big, and being shallow, means you can use relatively thinner glass. A 4 x 2. X 1ft frag tank made with 10mm glass would be pretty cheap to build yourself.
Looking good Adam. My greatest fear is that when I die, my missus will sell my stuff for what I told her it cost!
No worries Gil…
You enjoyed it while you lasted!
Keep up the great content man!Can’t wait to mimic your build and take on a 8’x4’ build here in 2025
That’s the go. Looking forward to hearing your plans. Don’t forget to reach out if you need any assistance
So freakin awesome - ! Great work
This series is great, the cost of a large aquarium doesn’t have to be $8000 and come with a shitty flat pack stand. I have the Red Sea reefer 750 and honestly when I built the stand I was so disappointed and honestly scared to fill the tank. In future I’ll DIY and your videos help a lot.
The aquarium has changed a lot since I was a teenager. I used to just buy a 2x2, 3 x 2, 4 x 2 etc. always timber pine stands- ugly but strong.
Now companies seem to compete for unique sizes and names, are compelled to use ridiculously thick glass ( which drives the prices up, something that hasn’t seemed to have affected the freshwater side of the hobby yet). And yes, despite the crazy prices and thick glass, skimp out on the stands. I’ve noticed Cade for example, using aluminium stands which is great. So expensive though.
I kind of worry about the ability for kids and teenagers to enter the hobby. Used to be under $500, now it’s more like $5000.
@ yep I remember those hideous old stands lol but they were cheap and effective. I like the Cade systems, because the stands are very well designed and have a great electrical area too. And the Cade are not much more than the Red Sea but far superior. You’re correct about these tanks being too expensive for beginners. Especially when all the equipment is hundreds of dollars per piece and the lights can cost $1000+ for a 4 foot tank. And after all that money the LFS doesn’t think to sell you an ink bird (or equivalent) heater controller or any power backup.
Looks good m8
Nice
This makes me really wanna attempt a shallow plywood build for a mangrove setup over a full glass, great information Adam cheers
If you’re planning a large wide tank, you could just do a plywood base, and use broken down aquariums, to source the glass for the sides. That’s how I built my first plywood tank. I stripped a 7ft tank and a 4 ft tank, and built a 7x 4ft tank with a plywood floor. Couldn’t afford a sheet of 7 x 4 ft glass for the bottom, so went plywood
@australianaquarist good idea mate cheers
Can’t wait to see it finished Adam 🤩
Im trying to start saving to build mine. Stupid time of the year to start doing that 🤣
Cheers mate great stuff 🤙🏽
Going to have to stay away from those coral stores! I guess that’s one good thing about not having a LFS - I’m not buying coral each weekend!
@ I’m lucky enough to get coral for the things I collect for my LFS but now fish are going into the pond it’s dangerous. Just spent $150 on a pair of ruby red dragonets 😍 🤣
But next year is the year 💪🏼
Using your build as my inspiration
Mate I saw you gushing over those dragonettes. Nice colour. Geez that shop runs crazy blue lighting?
@@australianaquarist Yeah that sure do 🤙🏽 now I have a lense in each car so no excuses for me now
New video lets go, can't wait for this project to come along!
YES I NEED THIS
Gud day Adam, happy Xmas to u & ur family & ur cockatoo. Another great informative vid m8. Pete 🏴
Thanks Pete. I trust you’ll have a great Christmas too
@ thanks 4 ur reply. Happy new year m8
I like how you measure the time between resin coats via beers drank, now I know it's 2 beers between coats 😅
Hmmm
Never thought of that. If you’re planning on doing all the coats in the one night, you’d better stick to mid strengths
AUD right? Not USD?
Yes Aussie dollars. So half that over your way!!
I keep hearing the inkbird alarm in the background and it makes me think one of my own tanks is going off.
Funny! I must be immune to the sound. Didn’t even hear it in the editing!
good content ! I like the fillet cove idea. Have you tried an Epoxy Paste that doesnt require thickener ? Taking out that sharp edge between floor and wall is always going to be better for movement and cracking of the epoxy . waiting for the next video now
Boatcraft Pacific do have a premixed Epoxy Glue, which is thick. I just felt it woukd be best to demonstrate a technique that anyone, anywhere could use
I live in Labrador Gold Coast. I'm interested to see the final finish of this tank.
You’ll have to come out collecting in the seaway with me?!
@australianaquarist I go out the seaway every now and then.
@australianaquarist how do I contact you? To meet and collect out at the spit/ seaway.
0402522738
its getting there big job ,, will it be ready for animals by the time you come up this way. (early 2025?? ) ??..let me know when so we can lock in dates cheers :)
Will do Steve
The estuary tank is still running so can hold some QLDers !!
As a old ex boatyard worker I know that epoxy by itself has no strength and will peel overtime. Are you coating the epoxy afterwards or applying fiberglass? Btw, if you didn't know already, fiberglass doesn't like sharp corners.Cheers
Yes , that’s why I installed a fillet into the internal corner before the epoxy and fibreglass. Makes the 90 degree corner into a smoother 45degree.
Regarding the peeling. I’ve never experienced that before. I would expect separation of the layers of epoxy if the first layer is allowed to cure , and isn’t sanded before recoating. For this reason I prefer the wet on wet technique. I don’t see the need to apply fibreglass to the entire plywood surface, so long as the timber construction is solid. Unlike boats which are moving and flexing all the time with the ocean, a tank is under static load. Obviously some prefer to fibreglass the whole tank, I just see it as excessive and in my experience, unnecessary. Thanks for your feedback
Can you use just plain wood putty to fill the screws holes?. Prior to applying the epoxy. Or do you have to different stuff like builders bog. I am enjoying the journey.
I mix up a thickened epoxy with the filler powder, and patch the holes with that. I did it when I used the thickened epoxy to glue the fillet in place.
I’m not sure about using wood putty. I don’t know how well the epoxy woukd stick to it. By using the thickened epoxy, you’re guaranteed a complete bond with the next coat
🐟
G DAY CAST DOES MATTER BUT IF IT YOUR HOBBY IT DOESNT MATTER I NOTICE ALL ROLLER ARE DOWN I THROUGH ANY EPOXY SMELL REALLY BAD TIMES HAVE CHANGE THEN CHEERS
chill with the caps mate
Hi Stephen
I’m not quite sure what you’re saying?
@@australianaquarist i think doors are down how do you get rid of the fumes .lol he was trying to say
Ahhhhhh now I see…
The other doors in the shed are open, and I leave a fan going in the room also. I don’t like to close the fish shed up , after epoxying.
In saying that, the Botecote is very low in fumes. Can hardly smell it actually
all good i enjoy your video