Toughest stuff you can get it my opinion is Advantec. We use it in all the new homes we build. Tough stuff with a 50 year warranty. Every plywood tank I have ever put together has been out of it. Its very tough stuff. Go to your local lowes or home depot and have a look at it..
400 gallon plywood
- Thread starter HFRCampbell
- Start date
Congrats on doing a tank. It's work but you'll enjoy it.
I would NOT use MDF or any other cheaper grade of ply. If you can afford it I would recommend using a true 3/4 plywood. None of the big box stores carry it - some lumberyards still do. Most true 3/4 plys are a high grade anyway. Also true 3/4 measures and cuts how you would expect, which is great for us folks who dont like working with madness like 11/16ths. Besides, your tank is huge at 400 gal. That's 3280 lbs of water. I wouldnt risk it.
In the reply above by A-Kronic there is the thread for my tank. The epoxy I use is the MAX ACR. I'm using it for other aquarium stuff too and I'm really pleased with it. Other folks are using West Sysytem, Pond Armour, etc. Even the guy above has used something called Advantec.
The trick with epoxy (I use) is to get it to "bite" into the wood as a first coat, let it cure, sand it lightly and lay on another coat. You should be good after that.
Keep researching before you start until you feel comfortable. Then, go for it and have fun.
I would NOT use MDF or any other cheaper grade of ply. If you can afford it I would recommend using a true 3/4 plywood. None of the big box stores carry it - some lumberyards still do. Most true 3/4 plys are a high grade anyway. Also true 3/4 measures and cuts how you would expect, which is great for us folks who dont like working with madness like 11/16ths. Besides, your tank is huge at 400 gal. That's 3280 lbs of water. I wouldnt risk it.
In the reply above by A-Kronic there is the thread for my tank. The epoxy I use is the MAX ACR. I'm using it for other aquarium stuff too and I'm really pleased with it. Other folks are using West Sysytem, Pond Armour, etc. Even the guy above has used something called Advantec.
The trick with epoxy (I use) is to get it to "bite" into the wood as a first coat, let it cure, sand it lightly and lay on another coat. You should be good after that.
Keep researching before you start until you feel comfortable. Then, go for it and have fun.
okay, does anyone know a website that i can get epoxy from? Im definitly using 3/4" 4'x8' exterior plywood. For the frame should i use pressure treated or use just regular wood. Lastly i was planning on using a 75 and taking the front and back piece of glass and use those as the view pieces in the front. What do you think?
My 2 cents:
The material I use, MAX ACR, is from Polymer Composites in Ontario, Ca. I live not too far away so thats a blessing for me.
They're still working on their website but a lot of their sales are on Ebay:
http://stores.ebay.com/Polymer-Products-The-Epoxy-Experts
I would use regular wood for the frame, especially if it is going to be epoxy coated.
I didnt understand your last sentence.
The material I use, MAX ACR, is from Polymer Composites in Ontario, Ca. I live not too far away so thats a blessing for me.
They're still working on their website but a lot of their sales are on Ebay:
http://stores.ebay.com/Polymer-Products-The-Epoxy-Experts
I would use regular wood for the frame, especially if it is going to be epoxy coated.
I didnt understand your last sentence.
3/4" is more than thick enough I used 5/8" on my 600 gallon with 2x4 exterior braces every 12" OC. Dont use treated lumber Its treated with chemicals you dont want around your fish or in your home. For epoxy I used Sweetwater from Aquatic Eco Systems Inc. Its made for aquaculture use and best of all there is no sanding between coats. Apply let it set and apply another coat before 24 hrs and your good for as many coats as you like. Sweetwater IMO is made for people who have never used epoxy before it has a long work time before it gets to hard to apply.
Here is a more direct link tot he product. Its unbelievable how much in under a year the price has gone up! Sweetwater Epoxy when I bought it a gallon was $57 and hazmat shipping is $20 no matter how many you buy. I used 2 gallons for my tank.
damn thats pretty expensive hmmm. I wonder if i can get any epoxy around here i bet i could i saw it. Also theres some on ebay but idk if its potable or not maby i should find out.
I used 3/4 and then added 4 inch rips to the border and middle. adds a lot of strength and not as much material. 485 gal.
HFRCampbell;2375595; said:
I'd get 2 gallons. One of the colors you want your final coat to be and the other any color that shows well against the color you want, that way when you go for the next coat as you apply you can see how thick your going on and if you miss any spots. One can of the Epoxy+Hardener covers 200 sq feet.
