Happy to take a new look at this. Still blown away and impressed Travis! Great job man!
5 sided plywood tank?!
- Thread starter Bigfishnut
- Start date
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- plywood aquarium
Thanks bud! I'm a little blown away every time I come home and see it! Still getting used to having it. Lol. When I first started planning it, it didn't seem like it would ever really happen. Didn't fully set in till the day I filled it with water!
How did you calculate glass thickness required? For my build I am planning a 8 x 4 x 3(T) tank. The plan is to only really fill it to like 30-32in though but I want to build it to 3ft. I am guessing I will need to go with 3/4in glass.
I would probably still go with 1/2" due to the fact it's bordered all the way around by wood for extra srength. You have to build the whole structure so there is zero flex. Pay close attention to your top bracing.
As I am doing a 8x4 tank, the front will be a single piece of plywood with an area cut out for the viewing pane. I then plan on having a frame that wraps the top and a brace that wraps the bottom. Youre talking about the total thickness supporting the window is 3/4in for the plywood and then 1.5in for the 2x4, so 2.25in thick.
Yup, plus the extra thickness of a layer of fiberglass mat. This is a very important step. All seems should have a layer of heavy fiberglass mat bonded with pond shield. I sanded it all smooth after it cured and reapplied pond shield to that. Sand with 60 grit before you apply silicone to install the glass
Don't forget to put braces across the top from front to back...at least 3 to prevent bowing. This is extremely important
