400 gallon plywood

[HFRCampbell]

okay well im wondering if i have to use exterior grade plywood. Could i use osb because i can get large pieces for cheap or free. If i paint the outside and epoxy the inside so that the whole surface is covered with waterproofing material. Also for the front its going to be 8 feet long so i was just planning on buying a 75 and taking the front and back pannel and use those. Is that glass thick enough.

The tank is 8ft x 2ft tall x 3ft wide


thanks v

 

[Gator]

I've seen where people have started to build with OSB on other forums then the thread dies for some reason. Probably the fact that OSB disintegrates when it gets wet. So if you get a little leak you don't catch early its going to fail.

 

[HFRCampbell]

okay so definitly go exterior grade? have you heard anyone using particle board? idk that probalby disinigrates also.

 

[Lil_Stinker]

If you use OSB you will need framing in the corners, the right ply you can screw together, but OSB, not so much IMHO

 

[HFRCampbell]

yes i was always planning on a frameing the tank. I was going to make the frame then cut the plywood paint the outside then bolt the plywood to the frame. Then i was going to silicone all the corners then epoxy the inside then attatch the glass. After this i was going to let it all set for a week then fill it. then add sand and go fourth from there.

 

[Ak-Kronic]

use 1" plywood 400gal is alot i am building a 180gal and using 3/4". don't use the green treated get the stuff that looks like normal wood grain, this is a good thread http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143924

osb will swell up and fall apart don't go cheap or it will leak u are better of building all glass the cost of the epoxy along will make you cry.

 

[HFRCampbell]

what should i use to seal it if not epoxy? i heard people using stuff from epoxy, to liquid rubber, a bunch of stuff.

 

[HFRCampbell]

oh by the way a all glass this big would cost way more. plywood is a cheap alternative thats why alot of people do that.

 

[ghengis]

Concur with everyone re: OS Brace turning to pulp when wet. Although if it were 'glassed, it MAY hold up. I'd be looking at Marine grade ply. A little dearer than the average construction ply, bit comes with both faces water sealed and super smooth. You'd probably still want to 'glass it, but you'd at least have a good base to work from. Don't forget to post pics!!

 

[Ak-Kronic]

well most ppl use either 2part epoxy paint, pool paint, fiberglass resin. yeah all glass is pretty spendy spec when it comes to getting 1/2-3/4" tempered glass. anything you use to coat the inside needs to be for potable water. meaning it's safe for humans to consume water that has been in the container. stay away from OSB use plywood or MDF....MDF is very strong but i don't know if it will obsorb the paint. PICS MAN PICS!!!!!!!