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Re: Tank ideas wanted.
>>I would like to caustion you about the idea of using fiberglass cloth in a
plywood tank. I have some friends who did this and all the tanks leaked,
even
a sump which was not much over 12" deep. The reason is, plywood flexes and
fiberglass does not. <<
Appreciate the advice Dan. As for a fiberglassed tank leaking if they are
built correctly they won't. Not to say your friends don't know what they are
doing but obviously they did something wrong. I have seen many boats built
with plywood and fiberglass. Have built one myself and done several repairs
to my other one. If you do it right (and use the right Epoxy resin) they
wont leak. A boat will see much more pressure and abuse than a tank will
ever see.
I am not a big fan of polyester resins (most fiberglass kits are this) and
that is why I prefer epoxy. Once it bonds to the wood the wood will tear
apart before the epoxy will fail. If you add a thin layer of cloth to the
whole inside you have in essence made a one piece tank. Of course you have
to have thick enough wood and proper bracing (as I am sure you know).
I like your idea of putting the bulkheads on the back of the tank. I was
thinking about that for different reasons. Nothing like experience! I will
have to look at sign board. A couple of people have also mentioned it. My
concern would be how well the smooth face it attached? Since I will glass
the inside if that face eventually turned loose I would have a mess. But
with water pressure pushing against it why would it turn loose? Hummmm
........ Never mind! :-)
Central filtering systems are starting to look less attractive to me. They
would be a lot of work to install and the risk of disease spreading too. I
collect a lot of wild fish and that could be a problem and wipe out
everything I have!.
Thanks to all who commented. Regardless if I agree of disagree I appreciate
the input!!
Jeff <*\\><