1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build
- Thread starter MattShack
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wooden_reefer
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Yes, I have also thought of not cutting open mortise and tenon but glueing.
Three layers glued together with epoxy will be very strong to form the mortise and tenon. And I might use 3/4 ply instead of solid stock. This will from a very strong front frame of plywood strips.
The idea of cutting the middle out of a large sheet of plywood for the front is a little silly, IMO, so the front should be a made-frame.
96 inch glass is much cheaper. That is way I want just 96". Longer than 96 inch may be special order and so can be expensive, IMO.
wooden_reefer
New member
I would use better grade plywood for the inside. Or did I misunderstand the pictures?
Home Depot sells 4x8 A-C for about $35. A for the inside and C the outside.
Home Depot sells 4x8 A-C for about $35. A for the inside and C the outside.
wooden_reefer
New member
Just two 300 gal.
I have the feeling that some fish just cannot be kept togther so a 600 gal tank frequently do not hold twice the fish of a 300 gal tank.
I have the feeling that some fish just cannot be kept togther so a 600 gal tank frequently do not hold twice the fish of a 300 gal tank.
wooden_reefer
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In terms of costs 250-300 gal is the most optimal, I think. You do not need to special order anything. Two sheets of 4x8 plywood. Some supportive lumber.
Buying a piece of 1/2 inch glass just 96'X24" is not too expensive. 27"-30" back to front
MattShack
New member
I think Steve nailed it. I hadn't noticed that before. 
wooden_reefer, I got tired of upgrading about twice a year I decided I would just build what I've been wanting and be done with it. I started out with plans for about 400 gallon, then 500, then 600, etc. It kept growing, so I figure I better get started before I just boarded up the windows and epoxied the walls. :lol:
wooden_reefer, I got tired of upgrading about twice a year
I decided I would just build what I've been wanting and be done with it. I started out with plans for about 400 gallon, then 500, then 600, etc. It kept growing, so I figure I better get started before I just boarded up the windows and epoxied the walls. :lol:You know, I was driving along at work today and began thinking about this stand you have been building.
It looks to be extremely strong as far as supporting weight, but I am wondering how strong it would be if it got a good shove sideways while supporting all that weight.
I am just picturing all those little 2x4 falling over to one side.
BEHOLD!! my poorly drawn paint image!
The first pic is a representation of what you have, the second is a representation of what might happen if a some lateral force were applied while your stand was supporting a lot of weight. The third doodle is an easy way to ensure that never happens.
The triangle is the strongest load bearing structure there is, outside of the arch of course. That is why crane arms, scaffolding, benches, etc. all incorporate triangles in their designs.
Of course, if you are going to be slapping a few layers of plywood, or better yet, 2x10s across the sides of that stand, then they will do just as well.
Just something I was thinking about...
It looks to be extremely strong as far as supporting weight, but I am wondering how strong it would be if it got a good shove sideways while supporting all that weight.
I am just picturing all those little 2x4 falling over to one side.
BEHOLD!! my poorly drawn paint image!
The first pic is a representation of what you have, the second is a representation of what might happen if a some lateral force were applied while your stand was supporting a lot of weight. The third doodle is an easy way to ensure that never happens.
The triangle is the strongest load bearing structure there is, outside of the arch of course. That is why crane arms, scaffolding, benches, etc. all incorporate triangles in their designs.
Of course, if you are going to be slapping a few layers of plywood, or better yet, 2x10s across the sides of that stand, then they will do just as well.
Just something I was thinking about...
MattShack
New member
Thanks Kur, I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking about this project while I'm driving. And, my artwork in paint is not as good as yours. Mine looks like a 2 year old drew it.
It will be covered in plywood. The front will be plywood on the outside from the top of the aquarium to the floor. The sides and back will be plywood from about the top of the 2x8's to the floor (except for one end). If I have enough scrap left, I'm going to put plywood on the section that runs down the center.
I'm going to put the plywood on the stand after the epoxy/fiberglass and glass are installed. The aquarium floor is attached to the 2x8's, so basically the 2x8's are part of the aquarium instead of part of the stand. I'm going to have to be able to rotate the aquarium when I'm doing the epoxy and place it on its front to install the glass.
My goal is after the plywood is installed on the outside, the stand and aquarium will be all one unit.
Thanks for looking out for me. That is exactally the kind of information I need to make sure I don't overlook something. :thumbsup:
And, my artwork in paint is not as good as yours. Mine looks like a 2 year old drew it.It will be covered in plywood. The front will be plywood on the outside from the top of the aquarium to the floor. The sides and back will be plywood from about the top of the 2x8's to the floor (except for one end). If I have enough scrap left, I'm going to put plywood on the section that runs down the center.
I'm going to put the plywood on the stand after the epoxy/fiberglass and glass are installed. The aquarium floor is attached to the 2x8's, so basically the 2x8's are part of the aquarium instead of part of the stand. I'm going to have to be able to rotate the aquarium when I'm doing the epoxy and place it on its front to install the glass.
My goal is after the plywood is installed on the outside, the stand and aquarium will be all one unit.
Thanks for looking out for me. That is exactally the kind of information I need to make sure I don't overlook something. :thumbsup:
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Ok, good.
I would still be a little worried about just having a single layer of plywood per side though. You were estimating something like 8 tons sitting on there and that is a LOT of force if the stand shifts even a little. I see plywood just ripping apart like paper. And even if the stand feels really sturdy to you now, you aren't applying 8 tons of force to it.
If you don't have room to slap some 2x4s across the back or front of your stand, you could also cut some to fit between your current supports. Much less visible and probably a stronger way to do it anyway. Just be sure to face half of them the opposite way as the others. You probably wouldn't even need to fill all the spaces, just 2 or 3 on each end would do.
PAINT FTL!
I would still be a little worried about just having a single layer of plywood per side though. You were estimating something like 8 tons sitting on there and that is a LOT of force if the stand shifts even a little. I see plywood just ripping apart like paper. And even if the stand feels really sturdy to you now, you aren't applying 8 tons of force to it.
If you don't have room to slap some 2x4s across the back or front of your stand, you could also cut some to fit between your current supports. Much less visible and probably a stronger way to do it anyway. Just be sure to face half of them the opposite way as the others. You probably wouldn't even need to fill all the spaces, just 2 or 3 on each end would do.
PAINT FTL!
BeanAnimal
Premium Member
Nothing to worry about. The stand is overkill by a huge factor. If the plywood is screwed and glued, that stand would hold an Abrams tank
The plywood skin (without screws and glue! and just NAILS!) over the same surface is actually much stronger than the diagonal members you have drawn (by a factor of around 10).
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MattShack
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15206860#post15206860 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BeanAnimal
The stand is overkill by a huge factor. ...that stand would hold an Abrams tank
You noticed??? :lol:
I built the stand like that for a few reasons:
1) I wanted it overkill, just to be safe.
2) I wanted to distribute the load over as broad an area as possible.
3) I used to build houses, so I'm building it like I know... like a house... i guess its a fish house. :lol:
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