300ish Gallon plywood - First attempt

[Muni]

some fiberglass In the inner seams would also add some reinforcement if your worried about it

I'm not really. I'm confident in the material I used and my skills.

 

[greengiant]

there are other builds on here built the same as your Muni and they have been successful. I see his point but I wouldn't be worried. there is a better way but that doesn't mean yours is wrong.

 

[CJH]

I'm not really. I'm confident in the material I used and my skills.

Assuming a standard edge joint (i.e. no dado or rabbet joints), it makes more sense to me to have your fasteners perpendicular to the force on the lower, outside walls of the tank rather than parallel.

So I think your way is better. Glass tanks may be done differently but they don't have fasteners.

Regardless, this is an area of stress on a tank, no doubt. One can add trim to the lower bottom of a tank and if installed properly this really increases the strength in this area.

Think baseboard trim that over laps the bottom edge and sides of the tank.

 

[Kolossus]

Its an interesting point he made and i'll keep it in mind the next go around. But at this point there isn't much I can do.

The sheer strength of all the screws should be more then sufficient to hold the weight.

Assuming a standard edge joint (i.e. no dado or rabbet joints), it makes more sense to me to have your fasteners perpendicular to the force on the lower, outside walls of the tank rather than parallel.

X2!!!

Just caught up on this entire thread. Awesome build and eagerly awaiting the finished product. Wish I had your shop and tools!

 

[Muni]

Wish I had your shop and tools!

No you don't. My shop is a mess and the tools are expensive. Can't afford them and they are paid for.

 

[stratelecaster]

Hello again all,
I love this site! So many cool knowledgable members here that really know their stuff!!

Muni, an above post mentioned adding another layer of ply trim to the bottom and top of your tank(like the poster said, watch out for the existing screws) and to me, that sounds like the perfect remedy and I can see it looking pretty cool, especially if you add the coresponding ply to the stand as well.

Your stand looks great so the extra ply trim would probably only be cosmetic but, as for the functional aspect of the trim on the tank, well, when building large plywood tanks, there's no such thing as "over built".
The security you feel knowing you went beyond the extra mile, even if the extra mile was miles ago, is PRICELESS.

Best reguards, I'm truly rootin' for ya'.

 

[kallmond]

Stratelecaster is nothing if not persistent (and well spoken).

If muni had used 1.5 inch screws every 12 inches, I'd say there is a chance of the ply delaminating.

Given that he used 3" screws every 2 or 3 inches and pre-drilled them (to eliminate seperation stress), I'd say the worry is unnecessary.

 

[john73738]

Stratelecaster is nothing if not persistent (and well spoken).

If muni had used 1.5 inch screws every 12 inches, I'd say there is a chance of the ply delaminating.

Given that he used 3" screws every 2 or 3 inches and pre-drilled them (to eliminate seperation stress), I'd say the worry is unnecessary.

Having the material, tools, and not to mention skills, I am sure that this will be a sucessful project. I wish I had your skills, I am nervious building a ply aquarium, and when mine is finished I am sure that it will sit out on the back patio for a few weeks full and running to be sure there are no leaks.

Any further insight on your sealant?? checking into it myself, and the epoxy would be a good choice also at $135ish for a 2 gallon kit.

Bear

 

[BMueller777]

update??

 

[Muni]

update??

Sorry. working all week this week. Long hours. But good news is it should get me that cash to order my glass.