Plexi lined plywood tank?
- Thread starter willjeff
- Start date
Im considering epoxying the tank and laying the sheet of thin(1/8 or 3/16") plexi into the epoxy. so the wood is sealed, and the acrylic is both supported and locked in. then do the next side and place the acrylic on that side, and all around.
then seal the edges, but Id definitly use weldon of some sort depending how the gaps came out.
only thing is I still want to make the viewing panel out of glass on mine.
then seal the edges, but Id definitly use weldon of some sort depending how the gaps came out.
only thing is I still want to make the viewing panel out of glass on mine.
ejmeier
Active member
Re: Plexi lined plywood tank?
The only problem I could see would be if the silicone doesn't stick very well to the acrylic. Maybe w/ expansion and contraction over time it might work loose???
I have a nearly 1 gallon of spare epoxy paint, but it would be so cheap to build one w/ acrylic lining. You wouldn't even need to have anything that thick, or even cast acrylic, as long as the plywood is reinforcing the load. (Of course the front would need to be as thick as regular tanks though.)
Let me know if I have said anything stupid.
That is so weird, I was sort of daydreaming today and thought about doing that EXACT same thing. I mean EXACT.
The only problem I could see would be if the silicone doesn't stick very well to the acrylic. Maybe w/ expansion and contraction over time it might work loose???
I have a nearly 1 gallon of spare epoxy paint, but it would be so cheap to build one w/ acrylic lining. You wouldn't even need to have anything that thick, or even cast acrylic, as long as the plywood is reinforcing the load. (Of course the front would need to be as thick as regular tanks though.)
Let me know if I have said anything stupid.
weldon 16 would work just like silicone and solve all the problem with that.
I dont think Id go so far as to use extruded though. might be ok, but assuming a large tank, the money would be insignificant, specially compared to what your saving in epoxy thickness or a full fledged acrylic tank.
I dont think Id go so far as to use extruded though. might be ok, but assuming a large tank, the money would be insignificant, specially compared to what your saving in epoxy thickness or a full fledged acrylic tank.
yeah its a find design. if ANYTHING could fail; you could secure it very easily with an acrylic rectangle bar in the corners, that would give you the corner strength if you wanted to use REALLY thin wall material(1/8th"). I only say the rectangle reinforcment in the corners because perhaps the 1/8" doesnt have enough material to actual join. but a simple addition to the corner will give it more to grab.
get the cheapness of a plywood box, and the flexibility and absolute water proof-ness of acrylic. Im all about over engineering.
IMO you dont need such expensive epoxy either. the epoxy most use needs to be water proof and reef safe. in this case you need neither. the epoxy's only purpose is to ensure the acrylic is fully supported to the wood box. you can use the cheapest thing smoking infact; its strength doesnt matter, its adhesion doesnt matter, nothing about it matters. as long as it dries and has some minimal amount of strength its good. even if it cracks, its no problem.
get the cheapness of a plywood box, and the flexibility and absolute water proof-ness of acrylic. Im all about over engineering.
IMO you dont need such expensive epoxy either. the epoxy most use needs to be water proof and reef safe. in this case you need neither. the epoxy's only purpose is to ensure the acrylic is fully supported to the wood box. you can use the cheapest thing smoking infact; its strength doesnt matter, its adhesion doesnt matter, nothing about it matters. as long as it dries and has some minimal amount of strength its good. even if it cracks, its no problem.
RandyStacyE
New member
I would check out www.sanitred.com
This is a life time warranted coating system that is tough as a truck tire! Epoxy is way too unreliable since they become harder more brittle with age. Fiberglass fails and is too expensive in comparison and nowhere near the performance.
This is a life time warranted coating system that is tough as a truck tire! Epoxy is way too unreliable since they become harder more brittle with age. Fiberglass fails and is too expensive in comparison and nowhere near the performance.
HEY! HEY! You stole my idea!!! 
Check out Sean's Plywood Tank thread...I just asked him about this, on the 8th.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=716410
I think it's a great idea and I'm gonna try for a 96 x 48 x 24 tank, lined with 1/4" acrylic, with a viewing window of 3/4" acrylic.
Check out Sean's Plywood Tank thread...I just asked him about this, on the 8th.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=716410
I think it's a great idea and I'm gonna try for a 96 x 48 x 24 tank, lined with 1/4" acrylic, with a viewing window of 3/4" acrylic.
willjeff
New member
That sanitred stuff sounds pretty impresseive. RandyStacyE have you used this product.
Like areze said the lining is the water proofing, plywood is for strength and reinforcement, and then use whatever sealant wround the edges or coat the whole inside to prevent leaks. I would like to find out if anyone has tried this. Or if I am overlooking something here.
I have had some ideas of the tank just being a lookdown style, maybe with some type of earth toned tiles along the edges. If this idea makes any sense. The top would be about 4 ft. high, that way you can lean over it and look down like a tide pool.
Any Thoughts?
Like areze said the lining is the water proofing, plywood is for strength and reinforcement, and then use whatever sealant wround the edges or coat the whole inside to prevent leaks. I would like to find out if anyone has tried this. Or if I am overlooking something here.
I have had some ideas of the tank just being a lookdown style, maybe with some type of earth toned tiles along the edges. If this idea makes any sense. The top would be about 4 ft. high, that way you can lean over it and look down like a tide pool.
Any Thoughts?
epicentyr
New member
willjeff
If you are a premium member or have superpowers you can search for "huskerreef" he built a 1000 gal sump that is just schweeet!
As for this thread the ideas are good but the amount of contact area for a solvent weld on .125 in acrylic is tiny. maybe try to find a 1/4 round or acrylic cove molding to seam the corners for a larger contact patch.
If you are a premium member or have superpowers you can search for "huskerreef" he built a 1000 gal sump that is just schweeet!
As for this thread the ideas are good but the amount of contact area for a solvent weld on .125 in acrylic is tiny. maybe try to find a 1/4 round or acrylic cove molding to seam the corners for a larger contact patch.
