ok let me start by introducing myself. my name is Dylan, from louisiana. most of my fish keeping background is in saltwater but i have decided to go a new direction. i am planning on building a very large plywood tank with yalls help of course. i want to build it 8 foot wide and 3 feet front to back. as far as the height i hope yall can help me decide that. i priced 1/2 inch glass and its very affordable but to jump to 3/4 is like triple the price. so what can i get by with in 1/2 inch. thanks for any advice.
another diy plywood tank
- Thread starter dmaricle
- Start date
Off the top of my head, I believe 1/2 inch is good for up to around 24 inches give or take 3. Might want to use euro-bracing for a tank that long as well.
Euro bracing isn't a good idea for an 8 foot plywood tank. Cross bracing should be used as well. As far as the glass goes, IMO the calculators on the web are incorrect for a monster plywood tank. In a plywood tank the glass doesn't reach the bottom and is also fully supported on all 4 sides. To somewhat compensate, I have been using the measurement from the bottom of the viewing area to where the water line will be. You could easily go 3 foot high with 1/2" glass since the glass won't be bearing the full 36" of water. Many here have safely done it. Check out the plywood build compilation thread. Lots of info there! I am starting on a 3/4" plywood and 1/2" glass 84x32x32 tank as soon as my stand is finished. Good luck to you! Take some pics of your build!
btw, I'm in MS and we have the same first name
Small world
btw, I'm in MS and we have the same first name
Small world