My 800 Gallon Plywood tank build

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Flash;2369316; said:
I just wouldn't feel comfortable putting that much time and money in to an 800 gallon tank help together by screws and 1.5" plywood. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night.
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Peace of mind comes at a different price (safety factor) for everyone. I have trouble believing the numbers on a lot of things myself sometimes. Personally I'd make it 8Lx6Dx3T, and put an RTC or some rays in it, but that's just personal preference.

I think that with the tall window and the specimens he's putting in there, it will be an amazing display tank.
 
Marinelife: couple questions:

1) Do you have any shots of your existing tank?

2) I see you've got this tank drilled for a couple bulkheads - how are you planning on installing those? I ask because the only trouble I've had with my plywood and epoxy setup is a leaky bulkhead that I sealed with silicone. Lesson learned on that one.
 
congrats =]
 
cvermeulen;2369241; said:
P=density*g*h, = roughly 20kpa or somewhere around 3psi at the bottom seams (1.5 avg) 1.5psi*96in*70in = about 10,000lb of force on your front face. Sounds like a lot, but if you divide by the length of the 3 edges, it's only about 42 pounds per inch of seam, or 28psi across the 1.5" seam. This is basically nil in terms of material strength. The strength of silicone (which is relatively weak as an adhesive) ranges from 100 to 500psi. In other words, with 1.5" seams, you theoretically don't even need screws!

In other words - you're more than fine.
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Thanks for this, I was looking over my notes to find my figures but can not locate them.
 
cvermeulen;2369382; said:
Marinelife: couple questions:

1) Do you have any shots of your existing tank?

2) I see you've got this tank drilled for a couple bulkheads - how are you planning on installing those? I ask because the only trouble I've had with my plywood and epoxy setup is a leaky bulkhead that I sealed with silicone. Lesson learned on that one.
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1) never finished the stand or canopy http://www.marinelifeweb.com

2) At this time the bulkhead are going in as they normally would, if they leak I will silicone them. Two are the inputs for the closed loop, one if far water changes.
 
I am at about $3000 right now, about $7000 less than if I purchaed all acrylic tank.
Under the panel there are 2x4 all the way to the bottom. I will post you a picture shortly of it before I painted it.
 
The tank size was made for a few reasons, 1 was the space I had would not let me go deeper. I would love a deeper tank but it was and is not possible. Plus I had to get it in the house once finished.

The plywood is glued together which adds to the strength. Also I fiberglassed the corners.
 
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