Mountains of sawdust (360g plywood, LED, Arduino build)
- Thread starter der_wille_zur_macht
- Start date
iwishtofish
Active member
What a great project! Very eager for updates! 
Hookup
New member
This is certainly one of the most interesting and well documented build threads i've had the pleasure of reading. At the begining I was dead-set against this plywood design idea thinking there's just no way to make these tanks look good... But as I read on, I was compelled to research a bit futher and i have to say I am very impressed at what can be done with some wood and epoxy. These tanks rival any others I've seen.
Your clarity of thought and purpose on this build is what interestes me the most. I really like that you know exactly what you do not want, and have a pretty darn good idea of what you do want. Very exciting to watch this happen.
Doing my own build thread I know the effort it takes to keep things photo-journaled to this level (which I do not by the way) and I have to say it makes reading your thread a real pleasure. Keep up the fantastic work both in the shop and on the forum!
Tim
Your clarity of thought and purpose on this build is what interestes me the most. I really like that you know exactly what you do not want, and have a pretty darn good idea of what you do want. Very exciting to watch this happen.
Doing my own build thread I know the effort it takes to keep things photo-journaled to this level (which I do not by the way) and I have to say it makes reading your thread a real pleasure. Keep up the fantastic work both in the shop and on the forum!
Tim
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
Agreed. I first heard of plywood tanks 3 or 4 years ago when a local guy built a 450g. That tank is legendary for spawning a lot of interest in the area. I'd heard people talking about it and figured it was a really stupid idea, but after seeing them and researching, I've come to the conclusion that it's a pretty brilliant idea. It struck me as foolish to make a tank where a large portion of the structure is not transparent. Back then, I thought rimless open-top tanks were the bee's knees, but since I've had a complete reversal - I like the fact that the plywood parts of the tank partially obscure the view from certain angles. It's something to work with. Reminds me of the grain that shows up in film photography. Technically you might think it's an imperfection, but it can be used to create an interesting artistic effect.
Thanks, I appreciate it. In the end, I don't want this to be a plywood tank thread, I want it to be a thread about turning my ideas into a massive and long-lasting addition to my home. I'm glad it seems to be coming across, because sometimes I worry that I just ramble the same things over and over again and no one reads them. :lol:
What a great project! Very eager for updates!
No more pictures. This is a pretty boring part of the build, it's just pouring epoxy over and over and over and over and over again. I never thought I'd say this but I'm getting a little sick of the stuff. :lol:
That said, I have only 1 and 1/3rd sides to finish, so I should be done this weekend. Then it's going to be a good solid week of touch ups, finishing, etc - drilling bulkhead holes (first I have to decide where they'll go!), sealing the exposed wood inside the holes, sealing the euro-bracing (which won't get poured epoxy, probably just painted on), filling more screw holes, and so on.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
PS-
I'm glad you said these tanks (i.e. plywood tanks in general) and not this tank (i.e. mine). There are many examples of plywood tanks that are built with better craftsmanship, more technically correct designs, and are just more complicated and well-executed in general. Our very own AcroSteve's tank blows me away in terms of care and craftsmanship. Watching Steve's build thread was like watching Norm Abrams make a fish tank. Then there's the whole crew on fingerlakesreef. By comparison, from a technical execution perspective, watching my build thread is probably something like watching Rachael Ray.
Lighthearted, a little plain, and simple enough for anyone to pull off. Hopefully my creativity in other areas of the build (coming soon to a thread near you!) make up for it.
I'm glad you said these tanks (i.e. plywood tanks in general) and not this tank (i.e. mine). There are many examples of plywood tanks that are built with better craftsmanship, more technically correct designs, and are just more complicated and well-executed in general. Our very own AcroSteve's tank blows me away in terms of care and craftsmanship. Watching Steve's build thread was like watching Norm Abrams make a fish tank. Then there's the whole crew on fingerlakesreef. By comparison, from a technical execution perspective, watching my build thread is probably something like watching Rachael Ray.
Lighthearted, a little plain, and simple enough for anyone to pull off. Hopefully my creativity in other areas of the build (coming soon to a thread near you!) make up for it.
Hookup
New member
You're selling your self short... this thread is a page-tuner for me anyhow. I'll admit like most good books, i'm not sure how the author is going to overcome the problems and challenges set out in the first few chapters, but i'm sure you're end result will be pretty spectacular.
I'm very intrigued with the idea of not allowing the viewer to look at parts of the system. I think there is some significant possibilities with that concept to pull-off an pretty unique and pleasurable viewing experience. And hey, if nothing else every project in this hobby is fun and rewarding, even the failed ones.
Best of luck on the finishing steps of the epoxy-layers, and i look forward to the next update as well as the reveal of some of your ideas that you hinted about on page 4 in this post.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
It's getting whiter in there!
Let's play a game called guess the orientation of the tank and camera:
Let's play a game called guess the orientation of the tank and camera:
username in use
Sciencing Daily
We are looking in the main viewing window from the overflow side.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
Correct as usual, King Friday!
Maybe it was easier than I thought. It was disorienting to take that photo on a cellphone but on a big PC screen it's not so bad.
The front frame is the only "underwater" part that's not epoxied yet. I'm hoping that it's done over the weekend. Then, next week (and maybe the week after) will be pouring the corner fillets, drilling holes, touching up screws. . .
Maybe it was easier than I thought. It was disorienting to take that photo on a cellphone but on a big PC screen it's not so bad.
The front frame is the only "underwater" part that's not epoxied yet. I'm hoping that it's done over the weekend. Then, next week (and maybe the week after) will be pouring the corner fillets, drilling holes, touching up screws. . .
username in use
Sciencing Daily
Its looking really great. I wasnt sure on the white when you started, but Im lovin it now.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
It is turning out fantastic, I must say. I think there's a few keys:
1) I'm using a slow hardener that's pretty clear. Many faster hardeners are very yellow.
2) I'm doing three pours for each side, but making the last one about 40% of the volume, so it's nice and thick.
It remains to be seen what it's like with water in the tank though, and how easy it is to keep clean.
phobos2deimos
New member
Interesting. When I read it I was expecting it to come out very ugly yellow-white. Looks sweet!
foreverreef
New member
wow i am hooked on this build! I am currently setting up my 538g reef, but this is WAY more involved then me ordering my tank and building my own stand rock leds etc. You workmanship is amazing! The inside of that tank is going to be amazing! The white is a great idea as you will be able to see wmall growth easy and small pods and such will pop against the white! What a GREAT concept! I am now thinking of using white on the side panels of my 538 instead of black! Dang why did i now see this before i ordered my tank! I canot wait for the final assembly of this tank!!!!
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
THANKS!
To be fair, white is risky at best IMHO. Besides the epoxy discoloration potential (see above: plus, this is probably obvious, but make sure you're mixing in enough pigment!), there's also the fact that it's going to be a pain to keep clean, at best. And it'll show problems - like the typical light film of algae most surfaces are covered with underwater - for more than black would. But, I feel that I have a few factors on my side there:
1) The bottom will be covered by sand. Non-issue.
2) The huge totally opaque eurobrace means no light will be directly hitting the sides of the tank.
3) I'm going to be using LEDs, which are far more directional than other types of lighting, which again means less light hitting the sides to fuel algae growth.
4) Very powerful, algae-based nutrient export means that I'm hoping the algae in the tank are out-competed for nutrients.
Just did the first pour on the front frame. It was a little frustrating. I've been using plain old clear packing tape to form my dams so far. At first it seemed OK but there's been at least once decent leak (an ounce or two) on every side that's had tape. Well, when I had just one long edge of the front opening left to tape, I reached the end of the roll.
So I went on a hunt, and found a partial roll of duct tape. Started pulling it off, and only got about 12" before that ran out, too (I needed about 6' of tape).
Found a nearly empty roll of blue painter's tape. Got about 8" off that.
Then, jackpot - I found my brother's stash of about 5 or 6 nearly-full rolls of blue painter's tape. So I used that. I was hesitant since I was worried the epoxy would bleed through it, but it looks like it held up well. I'll know for sure tomorrow when I got back for the next coat.
phobos2deimos
New member
Although about twice the cost of duct tape, gaffer's tape has the same qualities but will not leave a residue. You can also get it 3-4" wide rolls if needed.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
Sadly, this pour is my last, so those two suggestions won't help me at all. Hopefully if anyone else reads this, they'll take note.
In the end, the packing tape wasn't terrible. The leaks will just need a minute or two of sanding. It was quick and easy to apply and pretty much free, so I don't really regret using it.
In the end, the packing tape wasn't terrible. The leaks will just need a minute or two of sanding. It was quick and easy to apply and pretty much free, so I don't really regret using it.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
Ok, so I now officially like the blue painter's tape better than the cheapo-packing tape. Assuming the surface is flat and dust-free, it stuck well enough to prevent leaks, and came off much easier with no residue. The packing tape leaked often, was HARD to get off, and left tacky residue.
No new photos, but I let the tank sit for a few days to let the epoxy harden thoroughly, and then I spent a few hours over the weekend with a random orbit sander and cleaned the whole thing up - knocked down all the bulges from leaking tape, took the sharp edge off all the openings, cleaned up the messy job I did of filling screw holes and joints, etc. It looks much cleaner now.
I also poured a thick coat of epoxy on the underside of the brace. It will be JUST above water level so I wanted it WELL protected. I'll paint epoxy on the rest of the brace, and hopefully drill holes soon.
I'm nervous about drilling because it implies a very high degree of commitment to size and placement of the plumbing. :lol:
No new photos, but I let the tank sit for a few days to let the epoxy harden thoroughly, and then I spent a few hours over the weekend with a random orbit sander and cleaned the whole thing up - knocked down all the bulges from leaking tape, took the sharp edge off all the openings, cleaned up the messy job I did of filling screw holes and joints, etc. It looks much cleaner now.
I also poured a thick coat of epoxy on the underside of the brace. It will be JUST above water level so I wanted it WELL protected. I'll paint epoxy on the rest of the brace, and hopefully drill holes soon.
I'm nervous about drilling because it implies a very high degree of commitment to size and placement of the plumbing. :lol:
