Can this work ? A tank in a box

[Jack Daniels]

Thinking out loud here.

If one were to build a 2" plywood box with panels cut on a CNC machine for tight tolerances - would it be feasible to then line the plywood box with say, 2mm acrylic for water tightness? The acrylic would also be cut on a CNC machine for very tight tolerances.

The idea here (and i am sure this is not a new idea at all) is to build a heavy plywood box that is very rigid with no flex in it (via reinforcing externally around the plywood box) and then use acrylic to line the box for water tightness. There is no need for structural integrity of the acrylic. Front panel can be done in usual 10/12mm acrylic.

There are many ways ne could engineer such a box and front viewing panel - dont want to get into all that yet. Just wondering if lining a very structurally strong no movement/flex plywood box is feasible.

I'm guessing this has been done and failed since its not seen around. So why does this not work out so well? If it would work, why is it not done more ?

Thanks

 

[Jack Daniels]

p.s - forgot to add.

The Euro brace would be done in plywood coated in Ester Vinyl resin/glass. The thin acrylic is only a liner inside the plywood box. The plywood box would be given thin coat of epoxy as a waterproofer but not for structural integrity - the structural integrity comes from the external bracing. A thin coat of epoxy for the ply to keep it dry and stop swelling with moisture/rotting etc and the thin acrylic is for water tightness - not structural integrity - a real hybrid tank if you will.

Also these are for breeding tanks - not show tanks or in a lounge room etc where aesthetics are important at all.