Hi guys, going to be building a 450g 8x36x30 tall, I was just wondering if I can get away with using just 3/4 ply for walls or should I be building 2x4 stud walls with ply. There is even the idea of doubling up the ply, I'm just trying to stay away from the bulkiness. Forgive me if I missed this info somwhere, thanks
450g ply build question
- Thread starter Aquatik
- Start date
at 30" high you will need the stud wall for 3/4" ply. mine will be about 33" high and i'm building frameless with 1" thick ply and reinforced with epoxy/woven roving cloth. you could also double up on your ply but i don't think its needed if you get the right thickness ply to start with.
you will need to reinforce the inside corners also if your going frameless with corner battons or fillets.
you will need to reinforce the inside corners also if your going frameless with corner battons or fillets.
I was thinking the same mate, but i was a bit worried and i mite add a steel frame for double measure, unless this idea is a good one, if i did just ply then i would do a good 4 layers of GRP in the corners.
personally i'd rather over compensate but i'd imagine 3/4 ply would hold at only 2foot high... mine is the full 4foot deep because i'm trying to make the most of the room i have available but still i'm very much a beginner. i'll be very interested in hearing what the experts have to say or recommend
Go with 1" cabinet grade plywood instead. It is strong enough for you size and smooth surface for you to work with. Just remember to use waterproof wood glue as well with screw and do lots of bracing on top so you can have a solid box.
At 30" tall I believe one can avoid external framing, although if you don't mind doing it and can afford the wall thickness I certainly think it's a good idea. And it does provide a great space to insulate a tank.
There are free standing fiberglass tanks that are taller than 30" and not only do they not have framing, they don't even have the plywood. So it can be done. Now I'm not recommending you build a free standing fiberglass tank but only using that as an example of not needing framing.
Also, I recommend buying the thickest plywood sheet you can find and afford vs. laminating two pieces together. Unless you have a large vacuum bag and a perfectly flat surface to laminate them on the strength gains are not necessarily additive.