Building a 1500 Gallon plywood & glass tank

[Egon]

I mostly tossed it out kind of fishing for references because I'm building mine very similar to this one, except that the viewing window is 4'x8'. I have more stock in build within tolerances and allow a margin of error than overbuild, but overbuilding is better than underbuilding. My first inclination is to go with a 2" sheet of cell cast acrylic, but if .75 does the trick on 36x96, I should be able to go 1.5".

I think your talking about two different things? The ".75" is glass thickness. You want to go from 2" acrylic down to 1.5" of acrylic? It still might be fine but I wouldn't base this builds glass thickness with your builds acrylic thickness. Acrylic might be stronger but it flexes a lot more and significantly distorts the view. I have a 6 foot by 30" deep tank with 3/4" acrylic and it bows a little.
Now that I think about it, 1.5" might be fine Anyway I would call an acrylic tank shop and ask what they thought or check out JohnPTC's 5000 gallon tank build. I think he used 2" acrylic on his 4X8 openings.

 

[basslover34]

this ought to be interesting

 

[nolapete]

johns is 5x10

Anyway. Enough hijackin'!

VL get this thing filled already!!!

 

[basslover34]

johns is 5x10

Anyway. Enough hijackin'!

VL get this thing filled already!!!

Leave the poor guy alone he has that Terrible part of the job right now... waiting for the Window to set...Friday the 13th is just around the corner

 

[nolapete]

But, but, but he's my test dummy err subject for my tank!

 

[ITHURTZ]

4x8 =1.9" with a closed top 2.87" with a open top

 

[nolapete]

4x8 =1.9" with a closed top 2.87" with a open top

Huh? Both of our builds are compression. Tension measurements don't apply.

 

[ITHURTZ]

i like bananas?

 

[cp newbie]

Hey....VLD.......

Nice build. Been watching since day one and am super impressed with the amount of time you have spent with the plan. It seems like it's made the execution go extremely well. Congrats!

 

[VLDesign]

Thanks.. It's been a lot of work but well worth it. (I hope) lol

Waiting on the final pond armor coat in the sump to dry, then tomorrow I will install the viewing window, the sump covers, and the plumbing. Then I can leak test the sump on Wednesday or Thursday.

I ordered the top panels today. (3) Clear Polycarbonate corrugated roofing panels 3'x9'. Will run them left to right and 3 deep to cover the tank.