115 gallon TALL (5 foot) tank build
- Thread starter Zman12
- Start date
I didn't get much done yesterday I did a bunch of yard work out back where I am planning on putting in a shed. That ate most of the evening. All I got done on the tank was laying out the lumber and checking lengths to make sure I wouldn't have any more surprises today.
After work today I stopped and got the other piece of plywood, the 2x4s I needed to fix my problem I ran into with the uneven plywood, and some stuff for setting footings for the shed. I hunted some one down in the store to cut it there. Sure made loading and unloading it easier. I HIGHLY recommend this if you have a store that can cut it 3/4 inch plywood is a beast to move by your self its so awkward, and its heavy.
I got the other wall assembled and the plywood applied tonight. I didn't cut the plywood down at all this time I just put it on directly and I am going to cut off my excess. In so doing I completely eliminated the issue I ran into with the other wall. It does look strange right now though that is for sure.
To fix the problem I created the other day I am just screwed and glued another 2x4 on the back side of the one it was supposed to be flush with. Much like you do when your laying floor boards and you need to double up the joist for an important seam. This way I have a full 2x4 supporting the plywood edge even though its not straight.
I just need to cut a shim to fit in the gap glue the daylights out of it and then its more or less back to business. I am going to run an angled length of wood down the entire back corner to cover up the shim and the edge of the plywood. I don't know if that made sense how I explained it, if not I can try and clarify. That shim should completely eliminate the direct water pressure stress on the cracks between the shim and the wall.
Here is the mess and how its being dealt with.
Front shot of the tank as it currently is. It is a little lopsided because I still have to cut down the left side of the plywood flush with the wall.
Here is the plywood left overs that are going to be used for the sump/trickle filter. (and cat unmentionables in the corner in the box, in-case your wondering what that is...
)
After work today I stopped and got the other piece of plywood, the 2x4s I needed to fix my problem I ran into with the uneven plywood, and some stuff for setting footings for the shed. I hunted some one down in the store to cut it there. Sure made loading and unloading it easier. I HIGHLY recommend this if you have a store that can cut it 3/4 inch plywood is a beast to move by your self its so awkward, and its heavy.
I got the other wall assembled and the plywood applied tonight. I didn't cut the plywood down at all this time I just put it on directly and I am going to cut off my excess. In so doing I completely eliminated the issue I ran into with the other wall. It does look strange right now though that is for sure.
To fix the problem I created the other day I am just screwed and glued another 2x4 on the back side of the one it was supposed to be flush with. Much like you do when your laying floor boards and you need to double up the joist for an important seam. This way I have a full 2x4 supporting the plywood edge even though its not straight.
I just need to cut a shim to fit in the gap glue the daylights out of it and then its more or less back to business. I am going to run an angled length of wood down the entire back corner to cover up the shim and the edge of the plywood. I don't know if that made sense how I explained it, if not I can try and clarify. That shim should completely eliminate the direct water pressure stress on the cracks between the shim and the wall.
Here is the mess and how its being dealt with.
Front shot of the tank as it currently is. It is a little lopsided because I still have to cut down the left side of the plywood flush with the wall.
Here is the plywood left overs that are going to be used for the sump/trickle filter. (and cat unmentionables in the corner in the box, in-case your wondering what that is...
)Fantastic explanations Zman. Keep it coming, you are inspiring me! Your "mess" looks thoroughly solved.
I got a bit more work done today, and a tiny bit done yesterday. I was going to work on the shed, but I hit a snare in that so, I worked on the tank instead. The whole lemonade from lemons thing.
I glued and screwed in the shim that fills in that gap in the corner yesterday. (Tank is upside down in that picture, that is actually the top of the tank sitting on the ground.)
I flipped the whole tank over so I could start putting in the bracing on the bottom. The bottom braces are on about 6 inch centers the only one I was super careful about being flush was the front one. I need that one to be flush. I think I shaved wood off of it 10 times with the saw. It paid off though it was an almost perfect fit. (When I shot in the first screw I discovered I was off by a hair, but it was to late to cut it again.)
This thing is getting heavy to the point I am going to have issues moving it by my self when I get that last bit of bracing on. I barely got it flipped up and over, though my arms do feel like jello from all the dirt I moved for the shed.
Any way I hope to finish out the window bracing as far as I can tomorrow and then start in on the bondo in the next few days.
That step ladder is about 3 foot tall. I am standing on the step second step of the ladder in the picture. (I am 6 foot tall so that gives you a reality check of how big this thing is.)
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Does any one know if they even make 6 inch screws? I can't seem to find any thing larger then 3.4 inch. I need some long ones for my piece of mind on the glass bracing I need to affix down soon.1
I glued and screwed in the shim that fills in that gap in the corner yesterday. (Tank is upside down in that picture, that is actually the top of the tank sitting on the ground.)
I flipped the whole tank over so I could start putting in the bracing on the bottom. The bottom braces are on about 6 inch centers the only one I was super careful about being flush was the front one. I need that one to be flush. I think I shaved wood off of it 10 times with the saw. It paid off though it was an almost perfect fit. (When I shot in the first screw I discovered I was off by a hair, but it was to late to cut it again.)
This thing is getting heavy to the point I am going to have issues moving it by my self when I get that last bit of bracing on. I barely got it flipped up and over, though my arms do feel like jello from all the dirt I moved for the shed.
Any way I hope to finish out the window bracing as far as I can tomorrow and then start in on the bondo in the next few days.
That step ladder is about 3 foot tall. I am standing on the step second step of the ladder in the picture. (I am 6 foot tall so that gives you a reality check of how big this thing is.)
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Does any one know if they even make 6 inch screws? I can't seem to find any thing larger then 3.4 inch. I need some long ones for my piece of mind on the glass bracing I need to affix down soon.1
Have to build a shed to move this out of the garage before I can go much further on it. Having issues, with space among other things. 
I was going to work on them at the same time but now I HAVE to finish the shed so I can have room to finish this. So its on hold 
I was going to work on them at the same time but now I HAVE to finish the shed so I can have room to finish this. So its on hold I really don't want to wait either but I don't want to have to replace a windshield due to my project being in the way of parking the car. Its nasty weather season here in the mid-west and now that the other vehicle is back at the house there isn't enough parking in sheltered areas to accommodate the vehicles with out the use of the garage. We have to be able to park it out of the hail and high winds. We had 60+ mph straight winds the other day. Thankfully the car wasn't back so it wasn't an issue.
If I can get the 55 gallon moved out of the garage I might be able to squeeze this in the corner and keep working on it. But I am going to have to finish the wiring and plumbing on the 55 gallon first.
I am going to try and go to the store tonight and get the shed and the last things I need so I can start on the shed and get that done ASAP.
If I can get the 55 gallon moved out of the garage I might be able to squeeze this in the corner and keep working on it. But I am going to have to finish the wiring and plumbing on the 55 gallon first.
I am going to try and go to the store tonight and get the shed and the last things I need so I can start on the shed and get that done ASAP.
My god, we just don't get weather like that hear in Australia. Heat and dryness are all we have to put up with. There wouldn't be a day of the year that I couldn't leave my car outside with a cover thrown over it.
