Plywood Bottom Build

[ghbrewer]

Alright, so I was watching "King of DIY" on YouTube once again, and I have decided that I want to give a plywood bottom tank a try. I will be using the front, back, and side panels from the 150 that I tore apart. The panes measure 54" w x 25-1/2" h x 1/2" thick and the sides measure 23" w x 25-1/2" h x 1/2" thick, therefore the display will measure 54" long x 24" wide x 25-1/2" tall. I am thinking that it will be used as a room divider of sorts so that you can see in from front, back, and one end (like the one in the attached pic).

I was previously planning on scrapping the tank due to the cost I was going to be looking at for a replacement bottom (1/2" thick glass is $$$, and most shops do not guarantee the preciseness of the final dimensions), but after seeing Joey Mullen put together that 540 gallon stingray tank, I was inspired to give it another go. Here is a link to one of the videos from his video series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2beOiIgBvUM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2beOiIgBvUM</a>.

Now, while he is a little unconventional, and there has been some discussion on here about his husbandry, etc, etc.... I do think that this is do able. I just wanted to throw this out for you all to munch on and see if anyone would like to give me their thoughts.

 

[snowmansnow]

sounds... risky hahaha

 

[skriz]

When comparing the cost between glass and plywood, take into account what you have at risk: flooring, furniture, etc. should there be a failure.

 

[ghbrewer]

I agree that it is out of the norm, and risky. While the cost is a consideration, in reality it may come pretty close to the same cost when you account for all of the materials (i.e. wood, screws, pond armor epoxy, body filler, etc...) Benefits it provides: 1. I can get a very precise fit. 2. Won't break if there is a rock fall. 3. Easy to drill and modify, etc...

Apparently there are manufacturers that are already doing this for larger systems. Some use a combination of PVC with Plywood, some just use PVC sheeting. If I do proceed with it, you can bet that I will be having a colleague run some load and stress calculations on it.

 

[acroholic]

You, Sir, are a much braver man than I am!

 

[ringo®]

Acroholic;950763 wrote: You, Sir, are a much braver man than I am!

Yep....I would rank this up there with being the first of the group to go bungee jumping.

 

[ryansg1986]

ghbrewer;950758 wrote: I agree that it is out of the norm, and risky. While the cost is a consideration, in reality it may come pretty close to the same cost when you account for all of the materials (i.e. wood, screws, pond armor epoxy, body filler, etc...) Benefits it provides: 1. I can get a very precise fit. 2. Won't break if there is a rock fall. 3. Easy to drill and modify, etc...

Apparently there are manufacturers that are already doing this for larger systems. Some use a combination of PVC with Plywood, some just use PVC sheeting. If I do proceed with it, you can bet that I will be having a colleague run some load and stress calculations on it.

"In reality it may come pretty close to the same cost"......so why are you using plywood?

 

[ryansg1986]

sorry, didn't see your Benefits, but they wouldn't sway me to use plywood either.

 

[ghbrewer]

RyanSG1986;950767 wrote: "In reality it may come pretty close to the same cost"......so why are you using plywood?

I don't know....I guess B/C it intrigues me and I like to screw around with stuff.

 

[elfloyd]

Very cool!!!!!!!

 

[skriz]

ghbrewer;950758 wrote: I agree that it is out of the norm, and risky. While the cost is a consideration, in reality it may come pretty close to the same cost when you account for all of the materials (i.e. wood, screws, pond armor epoxy, body filler, etc...) Benefits it provides: 1. I can get a very precise fit. 2. Won't break if there is a rock fall. 3. Easy to drill and modify, etc...

Apparently there are manufacturers that are already doing this for larger systems. Some use a combination of PVC with Plywood, some just use PVC sheeting. If I do proceed with it, you can bet that I will be having a colleague run some load and stress calculations on it.

I've never seen any company do that on the inside of a tank. It's common to use ply to protect the bottom, but that's mostly for shipping and handling purposes.

I'm sure you will be, but if you do proceed, please be careful!

 

[acroholic]

Maybe try a small tank first to get your techniques down. Then, if you feel confident enough, try it on a large scale. I would not try it myself under any circumstances, but I understand the need to DIY.

 

[thefishbuddy]

I would do it. I say go for it. I watched that video a while back. I was looking at doing a big 800 or 1000 gallon plywood tank for cichlids with one large viewing glass on front and decided I did not know how long I was wanting to be at that house and decided not to. Good luck with the build.

 

[ryansg1986]

acroholic;950791 wrote: maybe try a small tank first to get your techniques down. Then, if you feel confident enough, try it on a large scale. I would not try it myself under any circumstances, but i understand the need to diy.

+1

 

[ghbrewer]

Well, I have spoke to few different individuals about this, and it seems that the pond armor epoxy is not as great as it seems. It seems to have a reputation of breaking down after about a year. While there are other marine epoxies on the market that might work, I don't think I will be risking it.


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[acroholic]

I thought most plywood tank builders coated the wooden sections of their tanks with fiberglass, then coated them with epoxy?

 

[ghbrewer]

I was planning on coating it in fiberglass then epoxy, even though the guy in the video only used fiberglass on the seams. I am not going to experiment with this just yet, might later on a smaller tank as suggested.


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[mikesmith34]

Well dang they just scared you right off didn't they.

 

[gacolt]

i would pass on that i say spend the extra cash and get something thats safe and that your happy with.

 

[axio]

Never heard of any manufacturers using plywood. PVC bottoms are definitely around.