No. I did a 96" long 48" tall plywood tank with 3/4" cell cast once. It worked, but was not enough. I tore it down after a few months because the bowing was making me real nervous and it was starting to cause a small seam leak at the bottom. I would not even think about using less than 1.5" cell cast for a 96" long 48" tall plywood tank. Also this was fresh water. The density of salt water makes the depth of the tank even more of an issue.
My DIY Indoor 1500 Gallon Saltwater Tank
- Thread starter jjaneski94
- Start date
No. I did a 96" long 48" tall plywood tank with 3/4" cell cast once. It worked, but was not enough. I tore it down after a few months because the bowing was making me real nervous and it was starting to cause a small seam leak at the bottom. I would not even think about using less than 1.5" cell cast for a 96" long 48" tall plywood tank. Also this was fresh water. The density of salt water makes the depth of the tank even more of an issue.
Update: I am going to use 1.5" acrylic for the viewing window, and I will post pics of the current room later tonight. Thanks.
-Joe
-Joe
jjaneski94;3985621; said:
I urge you to consider going thicker with your acrylic. I ran the numbers when I originally posted and came up with 2" at a minimum.
Good advice on the 2". I was not saying 1.5 would be the way to go. Just that I would not even start to think about less. If I was doing the same progect again I would do all my research and calculations and consider my past experiance then make a decision on my comfort leval with the safety factor I am willing to except. There was very little information on this kind of thing available when I made that tank and I mostly made it up as I went. Please make sure you understand the effect of water pressure at 48". Making it just 12" shorter makes a big difference in bottom pressure and the acrylic thickens needed.
