long term results for plywood tanks?

[b4tn]

Our big plan is to move out west after the Kids graduate highschool. So I a have about 3-4 years to plan my next tank and I am wanting to go big. Probably 300+ gallons in wall with a fish room. I have been really curious with plywood tanks. They seem to be very cost effective and sturdy. I watched a ton of videos yesterday on building one but could not find a lot of info on longevity. Anyone have a plywood tank thats over 10 years old? How long can you expect a plywood tank to last?

 

[reef lover]

Bump!

 

[JoshH]

@AlexG might be able to help out here..

 

[lilgrounchuck]

The wife and I talked about that day. Turns out instead of homesteading somewhere and bringing a slice of ocean to us, we’re both down with getting rid of everything, buying a big old sail boat, and bringing us to the reef. Well, to be fair, that was my plan. She got on board once I got her on the boats I’ve been spying at the Annapolis sailboat show in October. While this doesn’t help you with the plywood aquarium question, boats galore are made from marine grade plywood, epoxied and fiberglassed over, and last decades sitting in saltwater.

 

[b4tn]

The wife and I talked about that day. Turns out instead of homesteading somewhere and bringing a slice of ocean to us, we’re both down with getting rid of everything, buying a big old sail boat, and bringing us to the reef. Well, to be fair, that was my plan. She got on board once I got her on the boats I’ve been spying at the Annapolis sailboat show in October. While this doesn’t help you with the plywood aquarium question, boats galore are made from marine grade plywood, epoxied and fiberglassed over, and last decades sitting in saltwater.

Funny! I was at the same boat show and that’s what made me thing about a plywood tank

 

[lilgrounchuck]

We may very well have crossed paths on the docks! I’ve been going to boat and travel shows in the Midwest since the 80’s. That was the first sailboat show I’ve ever been to, and the only boat show I’ve been to on the water. I’ve been a boater all my life (as long as you count John boats with 9.9 Johnson) and currently exist in the powerboat/bow rider/family weekend class. I had no idea what kind of awesomeness existed in the sailboat world. Especially when get in some of those 40’+ cats.

 

[Rybren]

One of our local reefers has a plywood tank that is at least 15 years old. It has spent most of its life as a FW tank, but I'm not sure if it makes a difference.

 

[AlexG]

Plywood tanks can last just as long if not longer than other tanks if they are built right. Before I built my tanks out of plywood I saw plenty of stories where plywood tanks were running well over a decade. My tanks have been running for over two years and are still doing great.