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Re:Tank ideas wanted.
>>Have you built plywood aquariums? I have found that using
"plywood core sign
board, coated both sides" is superior to A-C,
A-B, or marine plywood. <<
I have not built a tank yet but I have been a wood worker for a long time
and I have worked with wooden boats for a few years. The same principle, just
want to keep water in instead instead of outside the boat. :-) I have seen the
plywood you speak of but have never used it. I saw a boat constructed of it
once. As for a source the local sign shop would probably be the best place to
get it.
For my big tank (200-250 gallons) I am planning on using Birch Faced
cabinet Grade plywood so I can get a good finish on the outside. This tank will
be the focal point of our living room.
Once I get the tank constructed I am going to coat the inside with a 2 part
Epoxy resin, not paint. Then I will put a strip of lightweight fiberglass cloth
on the joints/seams with the second coat. This ties all the sides together and
makes the tank on big unit. A substantially less chance of a leak at the joint
or even worse a failure. I know lots of folks use epoxy paint but it add no
structural strength and the impregnated cloth ties all the pieces together into
one big unit.
>>Suggestions: Make your designs modular so they can
be moved, rearranged,
carried up and down the stairs, etc. A sump on the
floor can also serve as an
aquarium base. Some storage compartments here and
there are handy.<<
Good ideas! Had not thought to much about details on construction yet but
making the tanks separate units that can be removed is a good idea! I was
planning on putting the sump in the bottom. Making the lowest row of tanks
18"-24" off the floor. The base would have plenty of room for
sump/hardware and storage.
Thanks for the ideas! Any more anyone?
Jeff <*\\><