Some suggestions / pointers

[popgun]

Hi guys

I have had freshwater fish for about 5years, currently I have, excuse me for this, its in liters, a 400L tank.
I am always seeking to upgrade, as I have done over the years. I have bought all my tanks, and all being full glass.

I've read a lot on here, and it seems that the plywood option. I've read just about 4 weeks of threads on here, every night and day. Its pretty addictive
Now I have never ever touched wood, let alone cut it.
I have a drive to try and build one though, I just need a few questions answered,

The design, again, please ignore me, its in cm's.





The questions I have: or any suggestions if you guys can add, Im always willing to learn and listen:
- Is the design ok? It should be strong enough, seeing its braced.
- What thickness plywood should I use, 18mm? Will it be commercial grade or marine, the supplier here in SA has a few options, but I ask for something more specific?
- The glass thickness, 12mm? Will that be ok? And do I just silicone it to the bare wood? This question also comes later.
- Am I correct in saying, I fiberglass about 3 to 5 layers 1st, and then apply durapond (I think you all refer to pond sealant/epoxy?) 2nd? ontop of the curred/dried fiberglass?
- The glass will be siliconed onto the bare wood, and then I fiberglass over it, I have left about 2cm excess on the glass cover,
- Any other suggestions / help before I tackle this project please?

 

[Rome]

I can't answer any of the design questions because I don't mess around with wood tanks. However if you don't have any experience with power tools or wood working I would def find a friend to give you a hand. Also don't test fill it indoors 100%.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[Wlim]

Hi guys

I have had freshwater fish for about 5years, currently I have, excuse me for this, its in liters, a 400L tank.
I am always seeking to upgrade, as I have done over the years. I have bought all my tanks, and all being full glass.

I've read a lot on here, and it seems that the plywood option. I've read just about 4 weeks of threads on here, every night and day. Its pretty addictive
Now I have never ever touched wood, let alone cut it.
I have a drive to try and build one though, I just need a few questions answered,

The design, again, please ignore me, its in cm's.





The questions I have: or any suggestions if you guys can add, Im always willing to learn and listen:
- Is the design ok? It should be strong enough, seeing its braced.
- What thickness plywood should I use, 18mm? Will it be commercial grade or marine, the supplier here in SA has a few options, but I ask for something more specific?
- The glass thickness, 12mm? Will that be ok? And do I just silicone it to the bare wood? This question also comes later.
- Am I correct in saying, I fiberglass about 3 to 5 layers 1st, and then apply durapond (I think you all refer to pond sealant/epoxy?) 2nd? ontop of the curred/dried fiberglass?
- The glass will be siliconed onto the bare wood, and then I fiberglass over it, I have left about 2cm excess on the glass cover,
- Any other suggestions / help before I tackle this project please?

@popgun look at this link and you will get all the info you need


http://www.jonolavsakvarium.com/eng_diy/2200litre/2200litres.html

 

[Oughtsix]

Since you have no woodworking experience I would highly recommend starting with a small 10 gallon or so tank to "get your feet wet". There is nothing mystical about woodworking but there are a lot of lessons to be learned by doing. Just simply getting a sheet of plywood cut straight and square is a pretty big hurdle to overcome for the uninitiated. There are tools to make every facet of wood working easier and more productive but they don't come cheap. If you plan on continuing your wood working career then the investment in proper tools are worth it. If you are doing a one time project then it would probably be cheaper to just buy a big acrylic or glass tank once all is said and done.

A table saw, panel saw or track saw is essential for getting a straight cut on a piece of plywood. There are special blades made just for plywood to keep it from splintering when you cut it. Cheap plywood has many voids (empty pockets of air trapped between the layers), good plywood is expensive. A chop saw (miter saw) is indispensable for square cuts in framing lumber. Do you know that the framing lumber you buy from the local home improvement is neither straight nor square? Do you know that wood expands and contracts with the seasons and you need to plan for this in your design? Do you know that wood will have different propensities to warp or twist depending on what part of the tree it is cut from? The "Art" of woodworking is learnig about and over coming these challenges.

A small 10 gallon aquarium will teach you a lot without investing a lot. It is also much easier to throw away your first prototype and rebuild it better with your newly learned knowledge when you have a minimal investment in time and money. A huge tank is a big investment in money and time. Start small and when you are comfortable go bigger.

I have been woodworking all my life and learned by working with my father. 10 years or so ago I took a cabinet making class at my local community college... I learned a ton! I would love to take another class but there are none offered where I live now. A woodworking class would be a great place to learn the basics and understand the proper tools to use for a given operation. If there are any classes available in your area I would highly recommend taking at least one class! It will go a VERY LONG way in making woodworking enjoyable instead of frustrating!

 

[popgun]

Thank you Rome, Wlim and Oughtsix
I'm hesitant but motivated at same time.
The tools issue, I was going to get a builders shop to cut all the sizes, I would just fiberglass and epoxy.