Plywood thickness?

[Eric L]

Lol, while I am building my 540 gallon I am already thinking about a 1000 gallon pond/tank,

Anyways I the dimensions of it are going to be 96 long by 96 wide by 24 tall (all in inches) so I was wondering, with no 2x4 or 2x6 reinforcements exept to hold the plywood together at the bottom and top, how thick of plywood do I need for an 8'x2' side? I was thinking 1/2in but that sounds a little sketchy to me.


Thanks,

Eric

 

[dr_sudz]

I would personally be leaning towards 3/4. Why are you not using the 2x4 bracing? I would like to see pic's of the one your building right now!

 

[joeytoe]

Id go with 3/4

 

[Mourinho18]

I think mine's 3/4- one full inch. Should be more than fine around there.

 

[joeytoe]

I think mine's 3/4- one full inch. Should be more than fine around there.

Just dont fall into yours like Benfica did.

 

[USMCtanker]

the bigger the better, play it safe and go big.

 

[Eric L]

I would personally be leaning towards 3/4. Why are you not using the 2x4 bracing? I would like to see pic's of the one your building right now!

I am not reinforcing it because I have a very limited amount of space and I want to get the most gallons out of it. 3/4 sounds good though, thanks.

 

[oldfish]

Lol, while I am building my 540 gallon I am already thinking about a 1000 gallon pond/tank,

Anyways I the dimensions of it are going to be 96 long by 96 wide by 24 tall (all in inches) so I was wondering, with no 2x4 or 2x6 reinforcements exept to hold the plywood together at the bottom and top, how thick of plywood do I need for an 8'x2' side? I was thinking 1/2in but that sounds a little sketchy to me.


Thanks,

Eric

You need to go with 3/4 inch plywood with some sort of bracing to keep all four sides from bowing out.

 

[WyldFya]

I am not reinforcing it because I have a very limited amount of space and I want to get the most gallons out of it. 3/4 sounds good though, thanks.

That kind of thinking could have you end up with a lot of gallons on your floor. I would not build it without some form of bracing. One thing you can do is use angle iron and weld it together to make a frame for the plywood. but if you don't have welding skills, 2x4s is the way to go.

 

[Dr Joe]

If it's only 2 ft high and you use 2x6 bracing running around the top & bottom you'll only have 13in of free board so half inch could work, but why chance it. 3/4in won't loose you enough water to even think about the difference. Do you rent / own / or live with parents.
I don't think I would try thinner wood under any of these circumstances... unless it's outside.

Not sure I want to know your space saving plans for the 1000g tank

Seriously tho keep the ideas & pix coming.