My new 2600 gallon plywood tank project
- Thread starter VLDesign
- Start date
Yeah, I had a feeling there was an update coming
I logged in and nothing? Missed you my 2 min.Tonight’s update.
Got a late start but finished all the frame work. Finished the window areas,and started on the 1/2" plywood on the walls.
Decided to use front and back bracing on the 4x4s that support the frontwall on the top and on the bottoms I used a 4x4 holder on the bottom and asupport bracket on the inside bottom.
Also using the 4x4 holders on the top for the 4x4 braces which will getinstalled after the plywood is complete.
One observation I had with the 1/2" plywood, there are obviously someair pockets in the plywood from the manufacturing process that I am now concernedwith/ Should I be? I mean I am guessing they should be ok since others herehave used 1/2" ply without issues, but I am just wondering how these airpockets don't collapse and cause a leak? Sure hope I am just being paranoid andover cautious about this.
Tomorrow or Tuesday I will be finishing the plywood and start to bondo the screw holes, seams & corners (With 3" mesh tape for added strength), and other imperfections in the plywood.
Pond armor should be here next week and I should be able to start this by the weekend. (Or earlier if I get some time)
Got a late start but finished all the frame work. Finished the window areas,and started on the 1/2" plywood on the walls.
Decided to use front and back bracing on the 4x4s that support the frontwall on the top and on the bottoms I used a 4x4 holder on the bottom and asupport bracket on the inside bottom.
Also using the 4x4 holders on the top for the 4x4 braces which will getinstalled after the plywood is complete.
One observation I had with the 1/2" plywood, there are obviously someair pockets in the plywood from the manufacturing process that I am now concernedwith/ Should I be? I mean I am guessing they should be ok since others herehave used 1/2" ply without issues, but I am just wondering how these airpockets don't collapse and cause a leak? Sure hope I am just being paranoid andover cautious about this.
Tomorrow or Tuesday I will be finishing the plywood and start to bondo the screw holes, seams & corners (With 3" mesh tape for added strength), and other imperfections in the plywood.
Pond armor should be here next week and I should be able to start this by the weekend. (Or earlier if I get some time)
So after sleeping on it I am now concerned with 2 things.. The first thing is the 1/2 ply air pockets collapsing.
And now I am scared that the joints on the 4x4s are not going to hold.
So, The bottom is connected via a 4x4 bracket that is screwed into the bottom plate, then the 4x4 is inserted and screwed to that bracket. Then the ‘T’ brace is installed on the bottom for added strength.
The top section is where my concern is.
I will be adding a ¾” piece of plywood on the top (about 4’ long, 2’ per side) (Screwed and glued)
There will also be ½” ply wood on the inside wall covering the large ‘T’ braces.
Finally a 8” long ½” lag bolt will be installed in the center of the bracket that will be used for the top support beam (Also a 4x4) that will be attached to the back wall of the tank. (Currently not installed) On the cross braces there will be 5 of them (1 every 5 feet). One directly over the uprights and 1 in the middle of each window.
Question is should I redo these joints on the 4x4 to be a lap joint and not a butt joint?
Not 100% sure on this one. My initial thought was a lap joint, but I am thinking now with all the added braces I have or have planned that it won’t matter much.
Thoughts?
Anyone you can think of that will know for sure?
And now I am scared that the joints on the 4x4s are not going to hold.
So, The bottom is connected via a 4x4 bracket that is screwed into the bottom plate, then the 4x4 is inserted and screwed to that bracket. Then the ‘T’ brace is installed on the bottom for added strength.
The top section is where my concern is.
I will be adding a ¾” piece of plywood on the top (about 4’ long, 2’ per side) (Screwed and glued)
There will also be ½” ply wood on the inside wall covering the large ‘T’ braces.
Finally a 8” long ½” lag bolt will be installed in the center of the bracket that will be used for the top support beam (Also a 4x4) that will be attached to the back wall of the tank. (Currently not installed) On the cross braces there will be 5 of them (1 every 5 feet). One directly over the uprights and 1 in the middle of each window.
Question is should I redo these joints on the 4x4 to be a lap joint and not a butt joint?
Not 100% sure on this one. My initial thought was a lap joint, but I am thinking now with all the added braces I have or have planned that it won’t matter much.
Thoughts?
Anyone you can think of that will know for sure?
From my understanding of the brackets you've used you are on the right track and should be stronger than a Lap Joint. Myself I rely on the wood and joints more often than bracing. I'm a bit die hard on it though and I think its mostly because I'm just too old to accept it LOL. just curious how you plan to put the glass/acrylic overtop of it ?? are you concerned about adhesion to the metal? I don't know there will be any issue but it's something to consider
