I just took the first step in my first plywood tank build and bought the material, I was planning on using the traditional method I've always seen in every picture out there on the web where the front viewing panel of the tank is it's own bored with basically the whole inside cut out for the glass, but anyways, so my friend, he had this idea..
The tank is going to be just under 100 gallon capacity made of 3/4 inch plywood. Now this all so crazy idea would be replacing the whole front panel of the tank by routing a groove along the bottom and two side panels of the tank for the a 1/2" glass panel to slide into. Do you follow?
Now this would do away with the need for any wood on the front of the tank allowing for not only a much larger fount viewing panel, but a much better look. Now this got my attention.
But also worries me. A lot. And this is why.
So this 1/2" grove we would be cutting would protrude halfway through the 3/4" thick plywood leaving a 3/8" deep cut now if you ask me that is not a whole lot of surface area for either the amount of water pressure it will have to withhold or the silicone gasket that is going to be eliminating the tank of leaks. Also I would have to resort to smaller weaker screws in the front do to lack of space. On the other hand, I have been told that wood glue if applied correctly which I will also be using will hold better then any would screw you can buy.
Now with all that being said, does anyone have anything against this method? Again this is my first tank build so I'm not yet quite sure what to expect and almost want to play it safe with the traditional method I've seen in countless images on the web. I'd like to start the build tomorrow if possible so input, advice, recommendations would be greatly appreciated
Thank you
The tank is going to be just under 100 gallon capacity made of 3/4 inch plywood. Now this all so crazy idea would be replacing the whole front panel of the tank by routing a groove along the bottom and two side panels of the tank for the a 1/2" glass panel to slide into. Do you follow?
Now this would do away with the need for any wood on the front of the tank allowing for not only a much larger fount viewing panel, but a much better look. Now this got my attention.
But also worries me. A lot. And this is why.
So this 1/2" grove we would be cutting would protrude halfway through the 3/4" thick plywood leaving a 3/8" deep cut now if you ask me that is not a whole lot of surface area for either the amount of water pressure it will have to withhold or the silicone gasket that is going to be eliminating the tank of leaks. Also I would have to resort to smaller weaker screws in the front do to lack of space. On the other hand, I have been told that wood glue if applied correctly which I will also be using will hold better then any would screw you can buy.
Now with all that being said, does anyone have anything against this method? Again this is my first tank build so I'm not yet quite sure what to expect and almost want to play it safe with the traditional method I've seen in countless images on the web. I'd like to start the build tomorrow if possible so input, advice, recommendations would be greatly appreciated
Thank you
