Thx for suggestions.
Yes, plywoods are quite expensive these days. Price of Sanded Birch & Oak plywoods is around $90 per 4’ x 8’. How about Maple ? These are price a tad lower here.
The tank & stand will be a centerpiece item in our basement. So I wanted to build the stand using plywood. I have built stands both using 2x4 lumber and plywoods. I had always painted until the last build where I stained the stand. I am a newbie in the world of staining….
I started using plywood when I invested on a table saw. I actually find it easier & simpler using plywood vs 2 x 4 lumber. From my previous research plywood are as strong, if not stronger than 2 x 4’s.
The person building the Acrylic Tank did give me tips on building this stand. The highlights from his numerous tips, ‘floating’ base for acrylic tanks. This is a piece of plywood where the tank will sit. This is addition to the actual plywood base that is attached to the frame.. ’Floating’ because you don’t permanently attach this to the stand. As plywood rarely are 100% flat, use can level everything using shims to level the bottom out.
He also suggested to use styrofoam between the tank. & stand.
Anyways, back to the stand.
Per my initial calculations, this is what I came up with.
a. 3/4” 4’ x 8’ Birch/Oak @ $90 each = $270 (3)
b. 15/32” 4’ x 8’ Radiata Pine @ $50 each - $100 (2)
c. General Finish Dye Stain @$20 a pint $40 (2)
So roughly the whole project will be around $450