8x4x3 Plywood/Pondliner/Acrylic Tank

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I plan on doing a build thread soon, wanted to let it run for a while and get all my stock first which I just finished
 
Definitely, I've derailed this thread enough lol.
Was trying to see if you used a single layer of plywood and the 2x4 or did you double up the plywood?
 
single layer of plywood, birch 3/4" about $50 a sheet, 4 sheets total, 1 4'X8' piece as the bottom the other 3 had Lowes cut to my diseired height of 32". Then had 1 basically cut in half for my sides, 46.5" to be exact so I wound up with 1 full sheet 4'X8' as my bottom, 8' long 32" tall for my front and back then 2 sides of 46.5"X32". The front and back are 3/4" thick so thats 1.5" total, 1.5"+46.5"=48" aka 4' the width of the bottom. Use lots of wood glue, the strongest I used titebond 3 and screwed the plywood together about every inch, lots and lots of screws. Go to harbor freight and buy 60" aluminum wood clamps they are like $12, get atleast 4 and 4 more longer then your total height. You can use 6" clamps on the front after your window is cut out. Get a full size L square. I first glued the back panel on top the bottom and used a clamp every foot, wish I had more but I moved them after I screwed near the clamp, using the L square to keep it square, then did a side at time allowing clamping time. Since I did 2X4 brace I left 3.5" around the edge of my front piece and cut the rest out for my viewing panel, its gives you more then enough space to mount the glass and when you add the bracing its even. Make the front and rear bottom and top braces 8' 3", leaves you 1.5" on each side and covers your plywood joints, the sides will fit in between then add your vertical braves. The 60" clamps are needed to clamp the horizontal braces as they will be 51" after the tank which is 48" and front and back 2X4 which are each 1.5"
 
Pretty much my plan ya.
32 is what i was thinking of for depth. May run a 2x6 on the bottom front so the glass is a bit higher up and can go with half inch glass
 
I just finished my 10 by 4 by 3. ply tank. Tried pond liner, messed it up and wasted it. It is tricky working with the liner. Learn from my mistake. LOL. Max ACR way easier to work with. Im also doing natives. good luck
 
single layer of plywood, birch 3/4" about $50 a sheet, 4 sheets total, 1 4'X8' piece as the bottom the other 3 had Lowes cut to my diseired height of 32". Then had 1 basically cut in half for my sides, 46.5" to be exact so I wound up with 1 full sheet 4'X8' as my bottom, 8' long 32" tall for my front and back then 2 sides of 46.5"X32". The front and back are 3/4" thick so thats 1.5" total, 1.5"+46.5"=48" aka 4' the width of the bottom. Use lots of wood glue, the strongest I used titebond 3 and screwed the plywood together about every inch, lots and lots of screws. Go to harbor freight and buy 60" aluminum wood clamps they are like $12, get atleast 4 and 4 more longer then your total height. You can use 6" clamps on the front after your window is cut out. Get a full size L square. I first glued the back panel on top the bottom and used a clamp every foot, wish I had more but I moved them after I screwed near the clamp, using the L square to keep it square, then did a side at time allowing clamping time. Since I did 2X4 brace I left 3.5" around the edge of my front piece and cut the rest out for my viewing panel, its gives you more then enough space to mount the glass and when you add the bracing its even. Make the front and rear bottom and top braces 8' 3", leaves you 1.5" on each side and covers your plywood joints, the sides will fit in between then add your vertical braves. The 60" clamps are needed to clamp the horizontal braces as they will be 51" after the tank which is 48" and front and back 2X4 which are each 1.5"
Hi. Just wondering how well your design has held up long term. I’m planning on building a very similar tank to yours except I want to go 36 inch tall
 
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