9' long 4'high 5'deep ply tank has begun.....kinda!

[mike huntley]

getting the glass in 5/8", have not got a tape handy but think its 19mm or over?

seems to be drying quite well now, not tacky any more, get it measured up, order the glass over the weekend then we can glaze it next week

 

[alexx-w]

i wanna see picks!

 

[spwd]

What are the dimensions of the glass front exactly and how much is it if you dont mind me asking,also are you buying from an aquarium manufacturer or just a glass specialist?


Steve

 

[mike huntley]

What are the dimensions of the glass front exactly and how much is it if you dont mind me asking,also are you buying from an aquarium manufacturer or just a glass specialist?


Steve

hi steve,

without re measuring after applying the epoxy, its 1300mm high and 2000mm wide, got a 2 inch 'frame' internally for the glass to butt up against. I've not got the price yet, waiting for my friend who fits windows etc to get the price, so nope, not from an aquarium specialist.

what i really wanted to do was use acrylic, because, hope i'm right, its stronger and lighter over all compared to glass, but never really looked into getting a price, cant say why really

soon as i get a price i'll let you know.

 

[mike huntley]

i wanna see picks!

you wanna see pics, i wanna see pics

check my album, managed to get some uploaded there

 

[earthstudent]

You are correct about acrylic being stronger and lighter. It is also more "clear" than normal glass and has little refractiveness (don't think that's even a word?) which makes viewing nicer IMHO. I much prefer acrylic for viewing on large tanks. Glass distorts things that are not directly in front of you. The down side is it scratches way easier than glass but it can be polished which is not that feasible with scratched glass. Acrylic is also much more expensive.

 

[chrispaul]

hi will you line the ply and how do you cope with the pressure of the water bloating the wood??

 

[KAWAMIKIE]

you wanna see pics, i wanna see pics

check my album, managed to get some uploaded there

From your album click on the pic you want then copy the BB code below it then paste it in one of your posts and the pic will show.
Your tank is looking good. How long before you add water?

 

[mike huntley]

hi will you line the ply and how do you cope with the pressure of the water bloating the wood??

the frame is made of 4x2" timbers, screwed with three inch screws at every possible point. then covered with sheets of 12mm ply, again screwed heavily everywhere, once the ply was done it made the whole thing really solid. I then put plywood over the front of the tank, this covers the joints etc where the timber frame is and again strengths by spreading the load and making it more like one solid thing without joints.

Then i applied two coats of epoxy resin, making the filter and tank as one.

once it's glazed, next week i hope, i will then put a brace from front to back on the top.

 

[mike huntley]

From your album click on the pic you want then copy the BB code below it then paste it in one of your posts and the pic will show.
Your tank is looking good. How long before you add water?

thanks for uploading a pic, i have trouble copying the BB code, using a mac, dont know if thats why or just me

leaving it to cure for a week, then glaze next week i hope.