Retirement and forum shutdown (17 Jan 2022)
Hi,
John Howell who has managed the forum for years is getting on and wishes to retire from the role of managing it.
Over the years, he has managed the forum through good days and bad days and he has always been fair.
He has managed to bring his passion for fish keeping to the forum and keep it going for so long.
I wish to thank John for his hard work in keeping the forum going.
With John wishing to "retire" from the role of managing the forum and the forum receiving very little traffic, I think we must agree that forum has come to a natural conclusion and it's time to put it to rest.
I am proposing that the forum be made read-only from March 2022 onwards and that no new users or content be created. The website is still registered for several more years, so the content will still be accessible but no new topics or replies will be allowed.
If there is interest from the ITFS or other fish keeping clubs, we may redirect traffic to them or to a Facebook group but will not actively manage it.
I'd like to thank everyone over the years who helped with forum, posted a reply, started a new topic, ask a question and helped a newbie in fish keeping. And thank you to the sponsors who helped us along the away. Hopefully it made the hobby stronger.
I'd especially like to thank John Howell and Valerie Rousseau for all of their contributions, without them the forum would have never been has successful.
Thank you
Darragh Sherwin
guna build my own tank.
- blakecrowley (blake)
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 23
- Thank you received: 0
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- davey_c (dave clarke)
- Offline
- Elite Member
-
- Posts: 922
- Thank you received: 163
Below tank is for sale
my plywood tank build.
www.irishfishkeepers.com/index.php/forum...k-build-diary#137768
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- mossy (gavin blanchfield)
-
- Offline
- Premium Member
-
- Posts: 629
- Thank you received: 26
theres a crowd that does acrylic in dublin called gold star plastics
there no is 014569328
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- blakecrowley (blake)
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 23
- Thank you received: 0
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- BlueRam (Sean Crowe)
-
- Offline
- Platinum Member
-
- Posts: 1926
- Thank you received: 233
Would save you a few bob also doing it in plywood
Sean
Sean Crowe
ITFS Member
Location: Navan
Always Remember Surviving Is Not Thriving
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- blakecrowley (blake)
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 23
- Thank you received: 0
Plywood would be the way i would go some great tank from it on the forum and one to watch out for is davey's going to be a monster
Would save you a few bob also doing it in plywood
Sean
i want to make 1 thats about 500 or 600ltrs
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- BlueRam (Sean Crowe)
-
- Offline
- Platinum Member
-
- Posts: 1926
- Thank you received: 233
If you even wanted you could go bigger what ever way it suits you
The only glass or acrylic you would have to buy is the front pane
Sean
Sean Crowe
ITFS Member
Location: Navan
Always Remember Surviving Is Not Thriving
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- blakecrowley (blake)
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 23
- Thank you received: 0
could be wrong but i think glass is cheaper than acrylic
theres a crowd that does acrylic in dublin called gold star plastics
there no is 014569328
yeah i just got a quote off them for acrylic and for it to be cut to size is only 56 quid
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- blakecrowley (blake)
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 23
- Thank you received: 0
Yeah mate you could do that very handy,
If you even wanted you could go bigger what ever way it suits you
The only glass or acrylic you would have to buy is the front pane
Sean
do u know any websites that could show me how to make a plywood one?
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- BlueRam (Sean Crowe)
-
- Offline
- Platinum Member
-
- Posts: 1926
- Thank you received: 233
Sean
Sean Crowe
ITFS Member
Location: Navan
Always Remember Surviving Is Not Thriving
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- BlueRam (Sean Crowe)
-
- Offline
- Platinum Member
-
- Posts: 1926
- Thank you received: 233
Yeah mate you could do that very handy,
If you even wanted you could go bigger what ever way it suits you
The only glass or acrylic you would have to buy is the front pane
Sean
do u know any websites that could show me how to make a plywood one?
PM davey he will tell and show you mate
here is a link to his build
www.irishfishkeepers.com/index.php/forum...k-build-diary#135020
Sean
Sean Crowe
ITFS Member
Location: Navan
Always Remember Surviving Is Not Thriving
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- blakecrowley (blake)
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 23
- Thank you received: 0
Is that for a front pane?
Sean
no everything
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- BlueRam (Sean Crowe)
-
- Offline
- Platinum Member
-
- Posts: 1926
- Thank you received: 233
Would have thought it would be a lot more then that
What thickness are you going for?
Sean
Sean Crowe
ITFS Member
Location: Navan
Always Remember Surviving Is Not Thriving
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- blakecrowley (blake)
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 23
- Thank you received: 0
have ye considered building a plywood tank or what size are ye going?
yeah i would..if i knew how to buil a plywood one ha..could u tell me wer i could find out how?
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- blakecrowley (blake)
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 23
- Thank you received: 0
Wow that is some price
Would have thought it would be a lot more then that
What thickness are you going for?
Sean
4mm i think that should be ok?
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- BlueRam (Sean Crowe)
-
- Offline
- Platinum Member
-
- Posts: 1926
- Thank you received: 233
www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_plywood_aquarium3.php
www.jonolavsakvarium.com/eng_diy/2200litre/2200litres.html
www.advancedaquarist.com/2011/12/aafeature
www.mchportal.com/fishkeeping-mainmenu-6...nt-plywood-tank.html
I also know there is a lot off plywood builds on www.monsterfishkeepers.com/
Sean
Sean Crowe
ITFS Member
Location: Navan
Always Remember Surviving Is Not Thriving
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- blakecrowley (blake)
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 23
- Thank you received: 0
Here are a few links that might give you a bit off information
www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_plywood_aquarium3.php
www.jonolavsakvarium.com/eng_diy/2200litre/2200litres.html
www.advancedaquarist.com/2011/12/aafeature
www.mchportal.com/fishkeeping-mainmenu-6...nt-plywood-tank.html
I also know there is a lot off plywood builds on www.monsterfishkeepers.com/
Sean
cheers
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- BlueRam (Sean Crowe)
-
- Offline
- Platinum Member
-
- Posts: 1926
- Thank you received: 233
Wow that is some price
Would have thought it would be a lot more then that
What thickness are you going for?
Sean
4mm i think that should be ok?
4mm I could be wrong here but i would say that would not be enough,
As i said i could be wrong though im looking at the net here trying to find out though but mossy would be your man for this question.
Sean
Sean Crowe
ITFS Member
Location: Navan
Always Remember Surviving Is Not Thriving
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- davey_c (dave clarke)
- Offline
- Elite Member
-
- Posts: 922
- Thank you received: 163
have ye considered building a plywood tank or what size are ye going?
yeah i would..if i knew how to buil a plywood one ha..could u tell me wer i could find out how?
just some video's to give ye an idea
www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ply......1ac.1.BTvF8p2anTI
4mm is no where near thick enough, if your going around 600L then lets say a 6x2x2 tank would need a thickness of 10mm in my estimation.
Below tank is for sale
my plywood tank build.
www.irishfishkeepers.com/index.php/forum...k-build-diary#137768
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- blakecrowley (blake)
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 23
- Thank you received: 0
Bottom = 84 " x 24"
Front = 84 " x 29 1/2"
Back = 84 " x 29 1/2"
2 Sides = 29 1/2 " x 23"
Top Front/Back brace = 83 " x 2"
Top Sides brace = 23 " x 2"
Acrylic Thickness = 1/2"
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- BlueRam (Sean Crowe)
-
- Offline
- Platinum Member
-
- Posts: 1926
- Thank you received: 233
have ye considered building a plywood tank or what size are ye going?
yeah i would..if i knew how to buil a plywood one ha..could u tell me wer i could find out how?
just some video's to give ye an idea
www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ply......1ac.1.BTvF8p2anTI
4mm is no where near thick enough, if your going around 600L then lets say a 6x2x2 tank would need a thickness of 10mm in my estimation.
Davey that is what i can finding on the net in and around the 10mm mark some would say to even use 12mm to be a bit safer but 10mm seems to be the way to go
Sean
Sean Crowe
ITFS Member
Location: Navan
Always Remember Surviving Is Not Thriving
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- blakecrowley (blake)
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 23
- Thank you received: 0
have ye considered building a plywood tank or what size are ye going?
yeah i would..if i knew how to buil a plywood one ha..could u tell me wer i could find out how?
just some video's to give ye an idea
www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ply......1ac.1.BTvF8p2anTI
4mm is no where near thick enough, if your going around 600L then lets say a 6x2x2 tank would need a thickness of 10mm in my estimation.
that seems easy enough...might go for the plywood
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- blakecrowley (blake)
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 23
- Thank you received: 0
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- blakecrowley (blake)
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 23
- Thank you received: 0
have ye considered building a plywood tank or what size are ye going?
yeah i would..if i knew how to buil a plywood one ha..could u tell me wer i could find out how?
just some video's to give ye an idea
www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ply......1ac.1.BTvF8p2anTI
4mm is no where near thick enough, if your going around 600L then lets say a 6x2x2 tank would need a thickness of 10mm in my estimation.
Davey that is what i can finding on the net in and around the 10mm mark some would say to even use 12mm to be a bit safer but 10mm seems to be the way to go
Sean
yeah im guna go for 12mm
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- JohnH (John)
-
- Offline
- Administrator
-
- Posts: 6067
- Thank you received: 857
As far as I'm aware you would need to be pretty precise when making the joins as seemingly you don't get a second chance once the adhesive dries, that's it.
If you get it right though acrylic tanks are quite special.
John
Location:
N. Tipp
We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl - year after year.
ITFS member.
It's a long way to Tipperary.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- BlueRam (Sean Crowe)
-
- Offline
- Platinum Member
-
- Posts: 1926
- Thank you received: 233
12mm is as near as makes any real difference 1/2" which is what you quoted in your cutting recommendations earlier.
As far as I'm aware you would need to be pretty precise when making the joins as seemingly you don't get a second chance once the adhesive dries, that's it.
If you get it right though acrylic tanks are quite special.
John
Yes John you are dead right they make a great tank
But Blake do very careful as acrylic is very easy to scratch
Please kept us posted on how you get on and also take lots off photos
Sean
Sean Crowe
ITFS Member
Location: Navan
Always Remember Surviving Is Not Thriving
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- blakecrowley (blake)
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 23
- Thank you received: 0
12mm is as near as makes any real difference 1/2" which is what you quoted in your cutting recommendations earlier.
As far as I'm aware you would need to be pretty precise when making the joins as seemingly you don't get a second chance once the adhesive dries, that's it.
If you get it right though acrylic tanks are quite special.
John
Yes John you are dead right they make a great tank
But Blake do very careful as acrylic is very each to scratch
Please kept us posted on how you get on and also take lots off photos
Sean
will do...thanks for all the help lads

Please Log in to join the conversation.
- mossy (gavin blanchfield)
-
- Offline
- Premium Member
-
- Posts: 629
- Thank you received: 26
12mm is as near as makes any real difference 1/2" which is what you quoted in your cutting recommendations earlier.
As far as I'm aware you would need to be pretty precise when making the joins as seemingly you don't get a second chance once the adhesive dries, that's it.
If you get it right though acrylic tanks are quite special.
John
well said john h
if u are going to view the front and 2 sides go acrylic or float glass
if u are only going to view the front u should go with the plywood tank,it will work out alot cheaper
i have made a 12x3x4ft ply tank and it worked about 800 euro for the lot.depends on wether u are going for a free standing or u are going to build it in an alcove
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- davey_c (dave clarke)
- Offline
- Elite Member
-
- Posts: 922
- Thank you received: 163
i see your building your own too...where did u get the materials and how much..if you dont mind me asking
i'm getting my timber in chadwicks in naas because they were the closest i found to stock 1" plywood, just for the wood for the tank and stand its costing little over 300e with delivery.
where are ye based?
Below tank is for sale
my plywood tank build.
www.irishfishkeepers.com/index.php/forum...k-build-diary#137768
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- brian (Brian)
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 103
- Thank you received: 11
second tank was ply with 4"x2" frame glassfibered with polyester resin 8 oz matting and glass tissue on the top finnished with a polyester topcoat,framework filled with insulation and ply outer skin,this one was bout 150 gallon. great way to build a tank in the bigger sizes,next ply one i make is going to be ply steel frame and polyester resin glass matting skinned.
framework and ply makes for easy insulation,building in filtration pipework,i was testing seperate filters on same level driven by large dia airlifts,which worked great.lets u build stange shapes and varying levels in your tank.its great seeing fish in a tank of own design and effort.
best of luck
Please Log in to join the conversation.