How Thick?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
kntrygrl4lyfe

kntrygrl4lyfe

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Jan 26, 2007
1,035
1
68
36
Pensacola, fl
Ok, so my plan. This is what I am wanting to do.... Ideally I want to make a 12'x6'x4/5' Tank. I was going to do a pond but thought forget that, I want a tank! So thats what I am wanting it to come out as, but if I cant go that big then I will do a 10'x5/6'x4' But I'm going more to the bigger one. I might go wider. Well now that I think of it, I want to go a tad wider. My cats need their space.:ROFL:

My question is, how thick will I need to get the plywood? and how thick should this glass be? I was thinking maybe doing two different pieces in the front, and having a 1' space in between the two, if you know what I mean. Thanks


Should I do plywood? or something this big would I be better off with concrete blocks?
 
so after some calculations you would need something like 50mm glass (1 piece) on a 12ft long by 5ft high
that is for a safety factor of 3.8(industry standart)
in inches that is about 2 inches
got the calculator from some web site but i cant remember which one(it is downloaded on my cpu) the width is not hat big of a factor i think since the calculator doesnt ask for it
dont know about the plywood but i think 2 3/4 inch pieces on top of each other are enough
 
Well me, I'm the fish person, lol,but with help from family. My brother is a construction worker, along with my dad and other family members that live by me. About how much would a piece of acrylic that size cost?

What would be the best to use concrete blocks or plywood? I was going to do plywood, but I wanted it bigger.
 
kntrygrl4lyfe;1327170; said:
Well me, I'm the fish person, lol,but with help from family. My brother is a construction worker, along with my dad and other family members that live by me. About how much would a piece of acrylic that size cost?

What would be the best to use concrete blocks or plywood? I was going to do plywood, but I wanted it bigger.
Click to expand...

check with GE polymer shapes http://www.gepolymershapes.com/polyshapes/PShapes/branchlocator/branchus.jsp

use 2"thick 120x72........ about 800 pounds for an opening around 110x68 max

glass is much heavier.also gets green as it gets thicker unless you use a special and then the price soars
 
ok so about 2" thick for both peices? Now, I know you did yours concrete, but if I did plywood, would that have to be 2" as well? or more? Would I be able to make some sort of frame of 2x4s or maybe bigger and then you know line it with the plywood inside? If that made sence?
 
Well the Thickness determined by the height of the window and depth that the window sits... So to answer your question on if the tank is built of plywood is it the same thickness... yes it is

Building a frame for a tank that size would prob be better built with 2X8's and lined with 3/4" plywood...twice... So a Total of 1 1/2 inches of plywood. Off Set the seams. Fiberglass the inside put in the window and Bam .. insta-mega-aquarium. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom