Matt's 5000ltr Display
- Thread starter d3hree
- Start date
d3hree
New member
Thanks Ponyo, glad to have you along for the ride.
It was my wifes Birthday yesterday giving me the perfect excuse to leave work early and do some more to the tank!
I pinned the previously cut piece of plywood to the inside front of the tank so I could cut the hole for the glass.
I took this pic whilst sat for 5 mins inside the tank planning the best course of action. It was pretty peacefull in here.
This pic gives an idea of perspective, I am 6ft tall and this is my view stood at one end.
I finally got around to cutting the hole
This is how the tank stands now, finally beginning to resemble some sort of aquarium.
Sorry for the iphone pics ( again) I keep forgetting to take a camera home.
Coming together very nicely Matt.
Perfectly correct in commenting on the strength of wood. I hit a tree in a Land Rover once and the Land Rover came off worst!
Now then, sorry if I missed this earlier in the thread but how do you intend to create the load bearing face for the glass?
Matt
Here's a timber built koi carp pond for anyone interested in the structural properties of using wood. This pond is approximately 3000 UK gallons.
and the fibreglass (fiberglass) being applied.
Perfectly correct in commenting on the strength of wood. I hit a tree in a Land Rover once and the Land Rover came off worst!
Now then, sorry if I missed this earlier in the thread but how do you intend to create the load bearing face for the glass?
Matt
Here's a timber built koi carp pond for anyone interested in the structural properties of using wood. This pond is approximately 3000 UK gallons.
and the fibreglass (fiberglass) being applied.
Agreed.
d3hree
New member
Thankyou Didac
Thankyou dmb1977, I am a big fan of Mo's build, especially now it has started to fill out.
Cheers Matt, time is pretty precious for me so I try to get as much done as possible whenever I can get away from work....nice woody koi pond btw.
Thanks Mantis, glad to have you along for the ride.
d3hree
New member
Have a look at this old drawing Matt, it shows the construction principles.
The weakest point of the structure ( in any plywood tank I believe) is the top centre. This is where the deflection would occur if not properly braced. This is why I have added a central brace bar at this point.
The glass is pushed against a gasket of silicon by the water. Tile spacers embedded in the silicon make sure that there is an even depth of silicon all around and that it doesnt get squeezed out before it cures.
As long as the timber frame and fibreglass dont deflect too much the tank will hold.
Paolo Piccinell
insatiably curious
Man, You're definitely my IDOL. :bounce1::bounce2::bounce1::bounce2::bounce1:
Stunning design and handwork.... can't wait to see the lighting fixtures!!! :inlove::inlove::inlove:
Stunning design and handwork.... can't wait to see the lighting fixtures!!! :inlove::inlove::inlove:
d3hree
New member
Thanks Paolo. Dont get too excited about the lights. Just lumenarc III reflectors on coralvue ballasts with DD razor T5s, about 1.7kw in total.
Thanks Manuelao, you're very kind.
prop-frags
SPS Slave
Matt, your project is coming along nicely!
You may want to give some consideration to a steel brace bar that would support your weight if you needed to lay across it for maintenance, or to support equipment, etc. during setup or maintenance. With our 300, we are frequently having to "lean in" over the top of the tank (from the sides usually) to move livestock, perform maintenance, etc., and with our plastic cross braces, it's not possible to lean on them. While this makes for strong abs, it's not a workout that we relish.
You may want to give some consideration to a steel brace bar that would support your weight if you needed to lay across it for maintenance, or to support equipment, etc. during setup or maintenance. With our 300, we are frequently having to "lean in" over the top of the tank (from the sides usually) to move livestock, perform maintenance, etc., and with our plastic cross braces, it's not possible to lean on them. While this makes for strong abs, it's not a workout that we relish.
d3hree
New member
Thanks Mike
This is one of the reasons why i favoured a plywood and fibreglass tank, especially considering the depth and maintenance issues. The finished structure will hold my weight and wont be as delicate as a glass/acrylic tank would be. I plan on having a couple of treated timber planks that I can lay across the tank from front to back and crawl on if need be.
Thanks for stopping by.
This is one of the reasons why i favoured a plywood and fibreglass tank, especially considering the depth and maintenance issues. The finished structure will hold my weight and wont be as delicate as a glass/acrylic tank would be. I plan on having a couple of treated timber planks that I can lay across the tank from front to back and crawl on if need be.
Thanks for stopping by.
Jessie Gray
New member
Hi Mat great tank and graphice work. I would think twice about using treated lumber around your tank. here in the us its treated with copper. been following and will tag along cant wait to see it finished.
Paolo Piccinell
insatiably curious
Well... a Stradivari violin is just 3 lbs of wood, the difference stays in designer's hands!
I am curious to see the scenic effect of lights pointing to corals from different angles.
I realised something similar for a friend in a Mangrove tank with archer fishes, simulating the light effect of sun through tree branches... and it worked well!
d3hree
New member
Thanks Jesse
I meant that I would treat the wood myself, I dont know what shop bought treated timber is treated with in the UK but I assume it would be similar products.
I would just get more of the same wood that I have been using 6"x2" and paint it with a waterproofing paint.
I would store these planks under the tank so when I need to access the bottom of the tank I could pull them out and lay them across the top and clamber up.
Cheers.
d3hree
New member
I see Paolo, yes I am looking forward to figuring out the lighting in that respect. Lighting the tank more like an art display or stage rather than the vertical lighting I have had in previous tanks.
