I want to make my own larger plywood tank and I have all the basics down but one thing I am trying to still figure out. It is going to be approx 500 gallon tank and I want the front to be glass or plexiglass, however, I want to know what thickness of either I need for this big of a tank. Also I would really welcome ideas and suggestions on how to get this clear front piece for as low of a price as possible since it is the most expensive part of building the tank. Suggestions or big ol' broken tanks to offer here?
Here is a big question for DIY plywood tanks
- Thread starter nebraskafishrescue
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Depends on your design but most plywood tanks are 3/4" minimum. As for glass I'd look at getting a good condition used tank for your glass. That would be the cheapest way.
I keep putting feelers out for a old tank but they are few and far between in Nebraska,,,,we don't exactly have any Seaworlds around here.....
If you don't mind having multiple panes to make the front then you can use a steel frame as structural support to hold the various glass pieces. this allows you to use thinner glass and smaller pieces.
Over a long span (say 21m long tank) having 7 pieces of 3m glass accommodates flex better than a single 21m length of glass.
Over a long span (say 21m long tank) having 7 pieces of 3m glass accommodates flex better than a single 21m length of glass.
what is "float" glass?
and with using multiple pieces how to you get it to stay together and keep moisture from getting between the pieces?
and with using multiple pieces how to you get it to stay together and keep moisture from getting between the pieces?
I've never seen multiple layers myself. Float glass just basically thick pieces of glass, like what you'd use for a fish tank.
float glass is annealed glass. But there is a difference in industry standards from country to country. Some glass nerds can recognise country of origin just by recognising the source and ratio of base ingredients.
You can get laminate float glass which I wouldn't recommend for aquariums unless it's a hydrophobic laminate.
Yes, simple butt joins are all that's, needed. no layering of glass. Structural silicon is designed to keep huge glass panels on side of skyscrapers under strong wind loads so a bit of water is no problem. follow manufacturer specifications for expansion gap, depth the width of silicon bead etc. You can choose colour, flexibility (modulus) and adhesion strength so plenty of choice.
You can get laminate float glass which I wouldn't recommend for aquariums unless it's a hydrophobic laminate.
Yes, simple butt joins are all that's, needed. no layering of glass. Structural silicon is designed to keep huge glass panels on side of skyscrapers under strong wind loads so a bit of water is no problem. follow manufacturer specifications for expansion gap, depth the width of silicon bead etc. You can choose colour, flexibility (modulus) and adhesion strength so plenty of choice.
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watch on market place and Craigslist for old or broke tank. I found a big acrylic tank 8 foot x 4 foot x 2 foot that the people wanted moved out of a house they just bought. I paid $75 for it and it's made out of 1 inch thick acrylic... So I got ( 2) 8 foot by 4 foot 1 inch thick viewing windows for $75...
Good luck with the build!!!
Good luck with the build!!!
