Atomic's 750g Plywood Startup thread

[nzafi]

It has been done before. There is a video on youtube of someone that did a massive plywood tank, and I recall some other large footprint plywood builds. From what I remember, I think they built full 2x4 frames on the bottom and side walls, but don't remember the spacing of the 2x4s.

The other expensive approach I recall being taken was someone stacked 2x4s on top of each other to build a frame (e.g, like 10 on top of each other) and then they had 3/4in plywood inside.

 

[nzafi]

I found the links. I had saved them. The second link is the one that is on youtube somewhere I beileve.

https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/10x14-2500-gallon-plywood-stingray-pond.394202/

https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...600-gallon-plywood-tank-project.416005/page-6

 

[Atomic081]

It has been done before. There is a video on youtube of someone that did a massive plywood tank, and I recall some other large footprint plywood builds. From what I remember, I think they built full 2x4 frames on the bottom and side walls, but don't remember the spacing of the 2x4s.

The other expensive approach I recall being taken was someone stacked 2x4s on top of each other to build a frame (e.g, like 10 on top of each other) and then they had 3/4in plywood inside.

I think im going to go with the 2x4 wall on 3 sides approach (with 3/4 plywood and glass on the front). It gives me room to hide my overflow in the wall and ill feel much safer. The only problem is that I wont be able to tip the tank up to pour in epoxy. Its gonna weigh a ton... My solution is: I have a buddy that makes concrete molds using fiberglass for a living. Hes gonna help me Fiberglass the whole inside and then I can add 3+ layers of epoxy with rollers. Technically the fiberglass should hold water, but I feel alot better with the epoxy also.

Im wondering if I can attach the 3/4" plywood walls to the 2x4 walls inside the tank with screws. Fiberglass and Epoxy will both be covering the screws, so I have bigger problems if Water gets to the screws.

 

[nzafi]

If the builders of those tanks are still active I would reach out to them. While I have done a ton of planning I have never built a plywood tank.