iron wrought stand question
- Thread starter i2die4x
- Start date
Hello; I have used bare as well as painted plywood under tanks for several decades. The short answer is that yes there is eventually some damage to the plywood, but it has been very gradual and had no real effect on it's function.
That said, as you are considering a tank smaller than the stand it may be wise to use a thicker plywood of around 3/4 inch. There are also marine grade plywoods and perhaps even pressure treated plywoods available. If pressure treated wood is used it may be wise to check on the process as in the past some toxic chemicals were in use. I believe that there are safer products available now. At any rate a decent quality untreated plywood of 3/4 inch should hold a 2 ft tank nicely.
I have painted both sides of plywood and all edges on a few occasions. This helps to a degree of considerably slowing down the process of water soaking into the wood.
Perhaps the best coating I have used thus far is a two part epoxy paint. I had some left over after replacing the transom of my boat. I coated the plywood with is and it has been in use for five or more years. At $100.00 for a gallon of the paint and a gallon of the hardner it is not cheap, but I had some left over.
My guess is that regular untreated plywood will last for years (some has for me) even if it gets wet from time to time. I have had plywood last under tanks with a persistent long term minor leaks.