How to Make and Waterproof a Plywood Aquarium using Liquid Rubber NeoPond Sealant

This article will begin by providing you with the steps and material required to construct your own plywood aquarium.

 

 The materials listed below is for the construction of a 300-gallon plywood tank.

Plywood Dimensions

 Height 24”    Width = 30”   Length= 96”   Glass thickness= 3/4”

If you desire to make a bigger or smaller aquarium, not a problem. The most important aspect that needs to be determined is the thickness of the glass. Below is a diagram provided by The Spruce, explaining the thickness of glass required for different sized aquariums.  

 

Materials and Tools

-500 x 2-Inch Drywall Screws OR Self Tapping Wood Screws

Note: You can never have too many screws for this project

-If you decide to use the drywall screws, a small drill bit and drill will be required to pre-drill holes so the wood does not split when inserting screws.

-Wood Glue

-Putty

-Liquid Rubber Canada Geo-Textile works great to bridge the gaps, seams and joints of the tank (alternative products are fiberglass cloth strips used to reinforce waterproofing on the interior edges of the tank)

-Glass cleaner

-6 sheets of 120 grit sandpaper (a sander is optional)

-2 sheets of 220 grit sandpaper (a sander is optional)

-2 packs of paper towels

-2 x 4 Irwin clamps (used to hold pieces together for easier assembly)

-Liquid Rubber Multi-purpose Primer

-Liquid Rubber Sealant & Adhesive Caulk

-Liquid Rubber NeoPond Sealant

According to Monster Fish Keepers, an online forum that discusses everything about fish, the most popular products on the market are typically epoxy-based. The majority of these products release a toxic odor upon curing. That means you will need to waterproof your aquarium in a well-ventilated area which sometimes is not an option.

In addition, many epoxy paints don’t add structural strength and over time wear and tear can contribute to leaks ultimately causing your tank to fail.

Liquid Rubber Neopond Sealant along with our Geo-Textile will avoid both of these problems mentioned above and will make your DIY aquarium an easy project.

 

Note: It is recommended that you build your tank upside down to start. This will make gluing the bottom piece an easy task.  

-If you choose to take your wood to a carpenter or cut the plywood yourself, make sure each piece matches the proper dimensions. One piece will need to be cut into a viewing panel which the glass will be placed onto.

Note: If you decide to cut the wood yourself, remember this rule:

Measure twice cut once. Save money by avoiding buying another piece of wood from a mistake.

-Sand down the edges to make sure there smooth

-If there are any knots that have naturally occurred in the plywood or screw holes from assembly, you can use water based wood filler to fill them in.

-Label each panel bottom, top, side etc. so you know which piece goes where.  

-When assembling the pieces, carpenter glue is a must!

Note: If you use to much glue, not to worry you can easily sand down the excess glue.

-Use wood clamps to hold each piece together as the glue adheres.

-Self tapping wood screws will allow you to avoid drilling pilot holes into your frame. This type of screw does cost more money but they can be drilled directly into the frame without cracking the wood.

-Place each screw roughly 2 inches apart.

Note: The application of the glue and the screws will be done in the same manner for the entire project.

-Let the tank sit for a full 24 hours before applying Liquid Rubber NeoPond Sealant and Geo Textile. These products will allow you to achieve optimal waterproof protection.

The video below provides a detailed visual on how to assemble a plywood tank courtesy of the DIY King.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FDUfglurns

Once your tank is assembled and has been sitting for over 24 hours, you can begin waterproofing your tank.

Waterproofing your plywood aquarium is easily one of the most important steps that needs to be taken.

Initially you'll want to bridge all seams, glass, cracks and gaps with Liquid Rubber Geo-Textile, focusing on areas that are more susceptible to leak.

The Liquid Rubber NeoPond Sealant can be applied on the inside of the entire tank.

You should apply at least three coats achieving up to, two adhered coats a day. The best way to build your membrane is by applying multiple coats.

 

 But keep in mind, the thicker you put it on, the longer it takes to cure.  Curing ranges from 6-8 hours per coat depending on temperature and humidity.  

A great way to determine if it’s dry is by touch or if there is nothing wet underneath. Tacky is normal and can be coated over.

Take your Liquid Rubber Sealant & Adhesive Caulk to hold the glass onto the viewing panel.

Once the final membrane is applied, it's best to leave curing for 4-7 days before adding water.

Fill the tank with water and allow it to sit in the tank for at least 24 hours. Then wipe the sides and drain the tank.

Please be aware that Liquid Rubber products will not stick to Silicone, or any exposed silicone.