Mega clear vinyl prototype tank build (concept building)

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
karak said:
I kind of like the 4ft test build, mostly because if it works for 4ft then it will work for almost alll applications home users choose to throw it it
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I agree with this. I currently have a 4 foot deep tank and as nice as it looks it's a PITA to clean. 3 feet is my new max depth unless I get a freking large tank someday. If you stick with three feet or less you will get the majority of the market right there.

Testing with 4 feet deep tanks is good too but focus the product to the 3 foot depth.
 
I'm almost done with the tank frame...

frame%252520build.jpg


I put the chair in for scale

It really looks freakin' huge! I have some different material coming in tomorrow afternoon. The material is 40 mil instead of the 30 mil I was going to use. It is also processed a little differently so to be a little more resistant to scratching etc.

The initial fill will be without any side support. I think it is possible that the liner will hold up under the pressure. I plan to add supports in the corners of the liner to try to maintain a rectangular shape--I'll take pictures tomorrow instead of trying to explain.

If all goes as planned we will be filling it on Wednesday. I'll be sure to take video in anticipation of an epic blowout.
 
The only thing I could see as being an issue causing a blowout would be around where the supports are, the majority of the pressure on the material will be resting on those corners so just be sure to sand the heck out of all the wood its coming in contact with, get nice round corners and such. Good luck!

on a side note I was looking at dunk tanks and came across this... might give some ideas on securing the material and proper bracing.... http://www.huskyportable.com/specialty-items_id39.html
 
As a carpenter, I'd suggest far more reinforcement of the corners, or welded metal bands formed around the top and bottom. That will be an awful lot of pressure on two deck screws and a 2x4

Another thought. Auto windshields are doing exactly what you propose. They are made up of two layers of glass bonded with a sheet of flexible clear material.

In your case you'd only be doing one sheet of glass/acrylic, but I would look into what materials and methods glass makers use to bond those windshields.
 
BlindSight said:
The only thing I could see as being an issue causing a blowout would be around where the supports are, the majority of the pressure on the material will be resting on those corners so just be sure to sand the heck out of all the wood its coming in contact with, get nice round corners and such. Good luck!

on a side note I was looking at dunk tanks and came across this... might give some ideas on securing the material and proper bracing.... http://www.huskyportable.com/specialty-items_id39.html
Click to expand...

On this topic you could always add some carpet padding to the points of contact where the liner would meet the wood to give it some protection against puncture of some kind.
 
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