Alternative to plywood tanks

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RecycledElectrons

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 4, 2017
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Texas
I have looked at plywood tanks, and it looks like most of the cost is in the epoxy paint.

There must be a cheaper solution.

Idea #1: I previously considered laminating thin (2mm) glass to the inside of a plywood tank, but it might crack. I have not tried it yet.

Idea #2: What if I took a large water tank like this: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/liquid-storage-tank-1550-gal and cut out a window, then replace that part with polycarbonate. The catch would be if the epoxy glue holding the polycarbonate to the polyurethane of the tank did not hold, or if cutting damaged the polyurethane. I expect the hoop stress (that’s a technical engineering term) would be substantial. I am not confident enough of my much neglected engineering skills to calculate it.

Idea #3: What if I took plastic sheet and glued it to the inside of the plywood instead of using epoxy paint? Ponds use liners, but they leak. I am thinking of something more like a very, very large & relatively thin cutting board. Maybe a plastic floor mat would work? I have pulled plastic out of 19” LCDs, and I wonder what several 65” LCDs could donate.

Any ideas?
 
I have looked at plywood tanks, and it looks like most of the cost is in the epoxy paint.

There must be a cheaper solution.

Idea #1: I previously considered laminating thin (2mm) glass to the inside of a plywood tank, but it might crack. I have not tried it yet.

Idea #2: What if I took a large water tank like this: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/liquid-storage-tank-1550-gal and cut out a window, then replace that part with polycarbonate. The catch would be if the epoxy glue holding the polycarbonate to the polyurethane of the tank did not hold, or if cutting damaged the polyurethane. I expect the hoop stress (that’s a technical engineering term) would be substantial. I am not confident enough of my much neglected engineering skills to calculate it.

Idea #3: What if I took plastic sheet and glued it to the inside of the plywood instead of using epoxy paint? Ponds use liners, but they leak. I am thinking of something more like a very, very large & relatively thin cutting board. Maybe a plastic floor mat would work? I have pulled plastic out of 19” LCDs, and I wonder what several 65” LCDs could donate.

Any ideas?



Check out Pentair stock tanks.
 
How about pond or pool liner glued to the inside walls of the plywood? This is something I was thinking about for a build.
 
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Pondliner works perfecly fine. I just ordered an liner for a 13000L project im doing this fall/summer. All plywood and just pondliner.
 
They do sell pvc in sheet form could line the plywood with 1/4 inch and could be chemically fused similarily to acrylic if im not mistaken
 
Pondliner works perfecly fine. I just ordered an liner for a 13000L project im doing this fall/summer. All plywood and just pondliner.
Please do a build thread as well.
They do sell pvc in sheet form could line the plywood with 1/4 inch and could be chemically fused similarily to acrylic if im not mistaken
I've never heard of that,interesting.
 
Its essentially a thicker version of the FRP panelling typically used in commercial construction for shielding sheetrock from liquid splashes.
 
Its essentially a thicker version of the FRP panelling typically used in commercial construction for shielding sheetrock from liquid splashes.
Where would I get it from?
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com