another giant tank construction

[norskfisk]

cbui2 is probably talking about polyester resin where you can vary the ratio since the hardener is only an accelerator that starts the reaction in the resin. With epoxy resin you must always use exactly specified ratios.

Using fiberglass on the outside of these tanks gives the needed stiffness. So 2x4 support is not needed.

 

[norskfisk]

NanoReefWanabe:
I have heard the oposite about the mat and cloth, cloth gives structural strength because of the long fibers and mat gives surface strength because of the multidirectional fibres. But it doesn't really matter because it is all strong enough for aquarium construction.
Very true what you said about structural strength of a thin layer of fiberglass laminate. But when you add it to the outside too it's like making an I beam out of that truck cap material. Then you have the stiffness.

I see a tendency that people use unreinforced layers of epoxy. I don't see the point in that really because the strength of a laminate comes from the fibers. Vacuum bagging, a modern technique used in composite construction, is all about getting as much fibers as possible per resin.

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

fair enough..i didnt realise you were glassing both sides...which i guess only makes sense incase of inevitable water spills etc...you would need all surfaces of the wood protected..

and yeah vacuum bagging squeezes out excess resin which does two things, it makes the piece superior in strength because it doesnt suffer from brittle ness of the resin and second and most importantly it reduces the wieght...

vacuum baggin also allows you to for around more complex shapes with one piece of cloth rather then have to cut it up, which destroys the strength found in uniform long fibers..

 

[erics3000]

I still think a 2x4 and some bracing up top can t hurt. I have been planning on building a wooden tank viewable from both sides. Looks great so far any new pics?

 

[cbui2]

ok matt you are long due for an update.

 

[gwrulzmylife]

sweet wood tank!

 

[cbui2]

ok matt are you still around?:hmm3: :lol2:

 

[tank watch]

Hi guys. Sorry I haven't been around. Summer is very busy for me at work. I will resume working on my tank soon. It has been on the back burner for a few months now.

 

[TandN]

looks like your off to a great start

 

[tank watch]

Hey everyone. I am still at it and should have some pics in a few days.
I promised my wife a new kitchen for Christmas, so that had to come first as it was part of the design process for the new tank. Man, once you start something it can really snowball. A simple new cabinets and counter tops project turns into a new sheetrock, wiring, floor, ceiling, paint, cabinet and counter top project. Hope you guys are still tagging along...Matt

 

[rppvt]

Matt- I'm hiding this thread from my wife! If she knew she could get a new kitchen by just giving me a new tank, I'd have a delivery tomorrow!

 

[nyvp]

I have a question. why dont any of you use premade fiberglass sheets that you can buy at 4x8 sheets. Its the same as your making without all the work and then just glass the corners?

 

[Jar*Head]

Interesting thread. You get me all excited . For some odd reason May 1 seem so far away . I wish i have the skill to build a wood tank like you .

What are you planning to keep? What filtration method are you going to use?

Thanks
Steve

 

[jgs107]

very nice job.what kind of plywood is that.looks like furniture grade.

 

[mtome]

I can't wait to see more....Hang in there.

 

[Nickde123]

well where the pics at ?????????/ lol I cant wait any longer

 

[tank watch]

thanks for keeping my thread alive. The kitchen is finished and came out beautiful, with a side viewing window for the tank. The tank is filling with RO water as we speak. Should take about 10 days to fill. Its too late for me to try and post pics, I cant remember how at the moment. Check back soon. Matt

 

[tank watch]

Sorry, I forgot to answer questions...
The plywood is birch from Home Depot. I didnt have any experience for this attempt. I followed a few other builds on here(dsandfort, sean@ebn, numerous others)

I will be stocking the current 180g residents, mostly tangs, soft coral, lps, shrooms, I like leathers alot. I dont have any buttons left thanks to the scribbled and spotted rabbit fishes. These two guys will not have a home in this new tank, they will be traded at the lfs. I hate to part with what I consider pets.

 

[cbui2]

wheres lfs in slidell? never been there

 

[tank watch]

Delta Pet off of Gause Blvd next to Hobby Lobby, Pets Plus on Gause in opposite direction and a new reef shop on Fremaux ( old US 190) called Hidden Reef.