950 Plywood/Acrylic Build on Wheels!

Justin David · Dec 6, 2016

I think its great that you are building a tank this size, and Its really fantastic how you have the means to do it as well. Not to mention your building abilities are also above average.

I also like how this site has so many opinions and there are so many people sitting behind a computer that are willing to help others across the world, whom they have never met before, for no cost. I rarely see a properly written question thread go unanswered. Some may reply "ive got nothing man hopefully someone more experienced in _______ chimes in" but hey, we cant know EVERYTHING. Just ask my ex wife. JK im 19. Just the type of humor some of you older folks may enjoy.

I think that you have been told enough that it won't work. I dont agree with this. It could work. I dont think its the safest way to go about it by any means. Simce though, I am not trying to change your mind, I will give you my opinion moving forward. I would use the pond liner as stated above, it's a great idea.

As Rich Termotto once said "build baby build!"

terrorG · Dec 6, 2016

doesn't plywood shrink over time?

i Do enjoy reading your build and it is concerning what others say. But its your build and i wish you the best of luck

convict360 · Dec 6, 2016

building skills are impressive, but yeah those uneven drilled holes would bug me big time lol

FisheadFrank · Dec 6, 2016

terrorG said:
doesn't plywood shrink over time?

i Do enjoy reading your build and it is concerning what others say. But its your build and i wish you the best of luck

I don't think so. Plywood is pretty stable. Not 100% sure though!

FisheadFrank · Dec 6, 2016

convict360 said:
building skills are impressive, but yeah those uneven drilled holes would bug me big time lol

The holes are off by a couple cm but I wont really see them since they are on the side and the window is not big enough to see the sides of the tank.

FisheadFrank · Dec 6, 2016

kendragon said:
Be careful, bulkhead fitting are meant to be wet on one side only (the side with the gasket). The nut side does not have a gasket which will allow the hole to get wet and the wood will swell up and leak between the boards.

Thanks for the heads up. I have a plan for that. Going to use the gasket on the outside of the tank and use silicone on the inside of the tank. The water will still go through the threads of the bulkhead so that's where a little tape thread comes into handy....learned that the hard way.

stempy · Dec 6, 2016

All you have to do is epoxy the holes themselves and around the front and backside to keep that from happening. Also for heating what I do is a hot water drip. Once you get it dialed in its Very cheap heating plus 24/7 water changes.

FisheadFrank · Dec 6, 2016

stempy said:
All you have to do is epoxy the holes themselves and around the front and backside to keep that from happening. Also for heating what I do is a hot water drip. Once you get it dialed in its Very cheap heating plus 24/7 water changes.

Thanks, I have a hot water spout 2 feet from the tank... However not sure where to let the water drain out....

pdxmonkeyboy · Dec 7, 2016

plywood is extremely stable. The wood grains are going in different direactions in each layer. this reduces movement in any one direction due to changes in moisture content. not to mention there is a ton of glue in each sheet.

FisheadFrank · Dec 7, 2016

Installed a 1" bulkhead around 12" from the bottom. Installed the 4x4's with a 1.5" corner cut off for the window to sit in flush with the rest of the wood in the tank. Used a 6" lag bolt to strengthen it towards the bottom. Installed 1/2 plywood on the inside of the vertical 2x4's side window supports so it will have a smoother surface for the liner or epoxy. I also insulated the sides and back of the tank (no pics of that though)