40in high needs to be built in 19mm glass, with bracing. When you get into these sort of dimensions (especially the top to bottom measurements mentioned) there's no such thing as keeping the cost down!
Thinking of building a monster tank, advice needed
- Thread starter Chrisswables
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Right guys so if I built a 72x60x60 plywood tank would that be cheaper then an all glass tank? And if so what material is used for the sides back and base ? Obviously glass stillor the front panel
Is this only due to cost because I have left over pond armor and was going to do the outside as well, tank will be in the wall so looks are not important
I'm wondering about this piece of advice as well. It seems to me, assuming you start with dry plywood, you would would have dry plywood encapsulated in epoxy if you sealed it. If you just painted it you run the risk of water getting into the plywood and turning the tank into a mold science project if the paint job isn't perfectly waterproof or gets compromised by a scratch.
I've read at least one thread where people said they made sure to not epoxy where water wasn't in direct contact so as to not trap moisture in, then complain about their tanks becoming a moldy mess and recommend against plywood tanks.
I'm wondering what the standard actually is?
After doing some research for my plywood tank, I came to the conclusion that it is better not to paint or epoxy the exterior for a couple reasons. First and most important being that if your tank leaks, epoxy on the outside and paint can hide where it is leaking at and even cause your tank to fail because you did not realize that there was a problem. Moisture will almost always find its way into wood no matter how low the humidity level might be. I think it is better to let the wood breath and dry out instead of keeping moisture trapped and eventually have a mold or rotting problem. The extent to which waterproofing the exterior might hurt the tank will vary from build to build, but I think it is a safer route to just leave it as is. I don't have any scientific research to back this up, however most plywood tanks I have seen running for a significant number of years are just wood exteriors.
Exactly... sealing wood in this situation is bad news.. moisture will eventually wick into the wood through screw holes and other vulnerable spots and then will never dry out. Its a recipe for accelerated wood rot. Just a light paint so that it can breath is best think.
Sealing certain surfaces still makes sense though.. like the tops and rims.. places that will get frequently soaked.. I just wouldn't completely seal even those boards.. maybe leave the undersides unsealed or the ends.
Sealing certain surfaces still makes sense though.. like the tops and rims.. places that will get frequently soaked.. I just wouldn't completely seal even those boards.. maybe leave the undersides unsealed or the ends.
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If your in the UK then just give ND Aquatics a call and get a glass quote and then can compare that to plywood costs. they're one of the best and make huge tanks all the time.
Also consider that it's much more expensive here in the UK to get plywood and ssealant that in the states. Altho there a UK company caled antel that do pond sealant similar to pond shield that's reasonable
Also consider that it's much more expensive here in the UK to get plywood and ssealant that in the states. Altho there a UK company caled antel that do pond sealant similar to pond shield that's reasonable
