Plywood

[2turtles]

Any of the locals ever attempt a plywood tank? Thoughts? Results?

 

[dalilgriffith]

Bad idea.

 

[Joe]

I've seen Rich and Kelly's plywood frag tanks (GCorals in E-Town). They were very nice. They have two different sizes on their site. Here is a quote on how theirs is made (and they're for sale);

(1) 3 ft. long x 3 ft. wide x 10 inch high frag tank. Hand made with plywood. Sealed with fiberglass, lined with acrylic and sealed again with epoxy. Has (1) 1 1/2" overflows in center with (1) 3/4" returns. Comes with stand and upper bracing to hold lighting. *must be picked up - bring help*

http://gcorals.homestead.com/availableitems.html

Joe

 

[NCNBilly]

There's tons of builds around. They can be very well done if you take your time. They should more or less call them fiberglass tanks (IMO) since the plywood really ends up just being support.

 

[2turtles]

I have been thinking about Bobby's and Darin's setups. I don't have room for a Rubbermaid stock tank but I could do something if I had the ability to custom size it. All just in the "thinking about it" stage right now. I have read a lot on building them and it sounds like if done right they will last as long as any other tank. Thanks for the link Joe.

 

[JeffBoyRD]

How about something similar, but on a smaller scale, like a rubbermaid type product like a trashcan cut down, or an ice bin thing or a cooler. That way it would be smaller and cheaper than building your own. Also, you wouldn't have to worry about leaks, etc. And being plastic your could easily drill and put bulkheads on. Just a thought.

 

[chriscobb]

In the process currently doing a plywood build.....very similar to AcroSteves' build.....I'll have to get some pics posted....It's very time consuming and tedious if done right.....Billy you'll have to swing by and check it out sometime.....60"x48"X30", external wavebox on hidden end, and coast to coast overflow.....

 

[chriscobb]

Dang....didn't know Rich and Kelly were still around!!!!!!

 

[NCNBilly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14783282#post14783282 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chriscobb
Dang....didn't know Rich and Kelly were still around!!!!!!

Yep, they've been in and out of the business since you've been gone. Rich has had a few health problems that have made things difficult, so they are selling off everything again..

 

[2turtles]

ChrisCobb - Post some pics

 

[chriscobb]

Will do....have to upload them to photobucket first......should have them uploaded late tonight.....i work a dumb mid shift so don't get home till after 1am.

 

[NCNBilly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14783944#post14783944 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chriscobb
Will do....have to upload them to photobucket first......should have them uploaded late tonight.....i work a dumb mid shift so don't get home till after 1am.

I work until 3, but I'm still right off Progress - very easy to drop by after work if you are around during the week.

 

[chriscobb]

Sounds good Billy.....I go in at 3:00 the rest of this week and starting Monday I'm going back to 3rd shift 9pm to 5:30am......I'd be happy if you stop by and give me some input......

 

[chriscobb]

Pic of the tank right side up.....the end facing out into the family room which isn't shown to well, will be a viewing panel....the end that will be hidden in the fishroom per say will feature a external wavebox...

This shot shows where the external wavebox will go...it will be hidden inwall....

This pic shows a somewhat view of the external coast to coast overflow box....All joints where dado (rabbet) to increase strength instead of standard butt joints....before assembly it was assembled with Titebond III wood glue and screws......I didn't like the idea of just relying on wood, glue and screws to keep it all together and was advised it was way overkill, but I fabricated a steel frame wrapping the tank entirely and it just isn't sitting there, the thickness and width of the metal was routed out in the tank build and the frame work was epoxied in place with West epoxy thickened with 404 filler which is a high impact load filler. The metal will be covered with a wood trim skin to hide it and it will be laminated again to increase strength with West epoxy with 406 filler which is a good filler for laminating....This frame goes all around the tank....so the theory of plywood builds being "bad" is totally incorrect.....You can get alot of info at fingerlakesreef.com....they have been doing it alot.....You are more than welcome to stop by sometime and see it in person....still waiting on the rest of the fiberglass cloth to come in....I forgot to mention that the inside of the tank has 45 degree reinforcement pieces glued and tacked in place and the inside of the tank will be laminated with 37oz fiberglass cloth entirely, and I will use the pour method to get a smooth bubble free finish inside....then it will be painted with SweetWater Epoxy paint as well for UV resistance......

 

[2turtles]

Sweet deal. I vote for the next meeting to be at your place to see this masterpiece! (and to discuss the process)

 

[NCNBilly]

He doesn't do anything half-A**ed!

I'll can come over next week some day. Let me check the wife's work schedule (which I think is Monday and Tues) and get back to you.

 

[chriscobb]

Sounds good......Billy is correct.....I'm really anal about stuff and if it isn't right I'll scrap it and start anew.....The build is really "easy" with alot of reading, and the metal frame wasn't needed, but it all comes down to "peace of mind" IMO.....2turtles your not that far from me as well....I couldn't make last meeting due to work schedule change, but definitely want to get back involved.....Just a side note, I'm going to be ordering 6" diameter acrylic tubing...if anyone would be interested let me know....my buddy has an acrylic shot and has to get it by 8' lengths, and I'm going to build a couple reactors and a dual Ca Reactor and don't need all of it....