How to Make a Plywood Fish Tank

Large fish tanks are expensive. Save some money and make your own plywood fish tank, if you have basic carpentry skills and some basic tools. This job can be done solo, but you can finish it more quickly and easily if you have some help.

Things You'll Need

  • ¾-inch exterior plywood
  • Saw
  • Saw horses
  • Wood glue
  • 2-inch drywall screws
  • Drill
  • Screws
  • Sandpaper
  • ¼-inch plate glass
  • Silicone caulk
  • Caulk gun
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine the dimensions of your fish tank. You need to make a rectangular base, a back wall, two side walls, a top brace piece and 3-inch front frame pieces. After you figure out the size of your fish tank, purchase your plywood and other supplies.

    • 2

      Cut the wood pieces. Lay the back piece on the sawhorses. Glue the back and bottom piece. Using the drywall screws placed 3 inches apart, attach the bottom to the back piece. Next attach the side pieces with glue and screws. The back and side pieces should rest on the bottom when you finish this step.

    • 3

      Turn the tank on to its bottom. Using glue and screws, attach the bottom piece of the frame, the side pieces and then the top piece. All the pieces must fit snugly together. Attach the top brace piece from the middle back to the middle front. Let it set overnight for the glue to dry.

    • 4

      Sand the wood to remove rough edges. Apply first coat of epoxy. Allow to dry. Sand lightly to smooth paint runs. Paint with epoxy again. Repeat sanding process. Paint a third coat. Allow paint to dry 24 hours between coats.

    • 5

      Lay the tank on its front making sure to support all sides. Sand any rough edges from the glass. Also, use the sandpaper to rough up where you intend to run the caulking on the inside of the tank. Run a bead of silicone caulk around the front edge of the fish tank. Set the glass in place.

    • 6

      Run another bead of caulk along the outside front edge of the fish tank. Run your finger along the seam to make sure there are no bubbles and that the seam is smooth. Run a third bead of caulk along the edge of the glass on the inside of the fish tank. Allow to dry.

    • 7

      Caulk the inside corners and bottom edges of the fish tank. Allow it to dry 48 hours before adding water to the tank.