10' Tank, Will it work with my specs?

[Atomic081]

Hey Everyone,
First time MFKer here.

Im looking to build a Plywood tank in my new house next year and im curious about the longevity of my specs on the tank.

120" long x 48" deep x 30" tall.

Im planning on using 3/4" plywood and using the Epoxy pour and Fiberglass corner method. The tank will be In-wall. Euro bracing the top with 4 braces.

My questions:
Do I need anything other than the 3/4" plywood? Some tanks have stud walls while others dont. When do you start to need framing.

What thickness of glass do i need? Tempered or Non tempered?

Thanks for the help
Ross

 

[M@T!@$]

Hey Everyone,
First time MFKer here.

Im looking to build a Plywood tank in my new house next year and im curious about the longevity of my specs on the tank.

120" long x 48" deep x 30" tall.

Im planning on using 3/4" plywood and using the Epoxy pour and Fiberglass corner method. The tank will be In-wall. Euro bracing the top with 4 braces.

My questions:
Do I need anything other than the 3/4" plywood? Some tanks have stud walls while others dont. When do you start to need framing.

What thickness of glass do i need? Tempered or Non tempered?

Thanks for the help
Ross

Yes you will for sure need to frame the tank, as just 3/4" plywood would bow and explode with the water

 

[Royally Digital]

Not necessarily ... depends on the top and how it is supported... it's only 30" deep so it is possible with a good quality ply to not need to frame it. depends on the whole design and not just the idea of the design. If supported properly there is no reason it wouldn't be fine. Although the general rule around here is and always has been ... if your going to do something then over do it! so... if you have the space... Frame it anyway!

 

[dmopar74]

Your going to have to frame it simply because it's 10' wide, think about it

 

[ShanerBock888]

+1, what royally digital said. You may get away with it, but you don't want to find out that you didn't! Just do the framing. 2x4's are cheap and the framing is easy. You won't be punished for making your tank too strong

 

[BIG-G]

If the plywood flexes at all the Epoxy could crack and start to leak. I would absolutely frame it!
Plywood aquariums need to be solid with no flexing,

 

[Royally Digital]

Your going to have to frame it simply because it's 10' wide, think about it

Length has nothing to do with it if it is properly supported along that length. depth plays more of a role than the length, simple braces along the top will prevent bowing however without the bracing then it will likely bow

 

[dmopar74]

Length has nothing to do with it if it is properly supported along that length. depth plays more of a role than the length, simple braces along the top will prevent bowing however without the bracing then it will likely bow

Well I'd like to see how you'd combine two pieces of plywood to get that 10'. An extra 50 bucks in 2x4s is going to save money somewhere else

 

[monkeybike]

You can special order 10' sheets of ply, but it's pricey

 

[Royally Digital]

a lot of places carry 10' standard... Not sure that price was the issue but if we are talking about the saving of a couple of bucks with a frame or no frame then you can't afford to have the tank to begin with as the real cost is the glass and the sealant (choices are vast and prices just as much so)