First plwood tank build started..... with pics

skynoch

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Jan 14, 2007
1,726
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edmonton alberta canada
Great build so far. I was also thinking of just using the zavlar around the inside edges of the glass and then some coats on the outside as well. I would be nervous of the silicone failing over time. I tried silicone with my epdm and it worked great up to a year and then began to fail. I hope all goes well with your tank.
 

$INI$T3R

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 29, 2008
405
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Stuttgart Germany
So I have a question? So i have een looking through so many threads on ply tank builds and see that most people are using fiberglass in all seams, and i noticed (if im wrong i apologize) that you didnt use fiberglass to reinforce the seams.... Is there a particular reason you didnt, or do you know you wont need the extra reinforcement because of the tank size? I am looking at building an 8' x 4' x 2.5' myself.... and using almost your exact design.... But i was going to get the fiberglass and resin in the seams before i added the Permadri to the tank?!?!?! what are your thoughts?!?!?!?
 

greengiant

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 25, 2008
833
1
0
British Columbia Canada
$INI$T3R;3137097; said:
So I have a question? So i have een looking through so many threads on ply tank builds and see that most people are using fiberglass in all seams, and i noticed (if im wrong i apologize) that you didnt use fiberglass to reinforce the seams.... Is there a particular reason you didnt, or do you know you wont need the extra reinforcement because of the tank size? I am looking at building an 8' x 4' x 2.5' myself.... and using almost your exact design.... But i was going to get the fiberglass and resin in the seams before i added the Permadri to the tank?!?!?! what are your thoughts?!?!?!?

Most tanks on here are overbuilt. its the sleep at night factor. if you have doubts add the extra you won't regret it. if you look at Necros build that thing is a brute. I swear it could survive a collision with a mack truck. also anything that adds a covering to the tank is one more assurance that it won't leak. the more material you use and the more coats you use the greater chance it will be perfect right out of the gates thats my opinion only.
 

basslover34

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Sep 3, 2007
4,852
9
38
Montreal
The re-enforcement in the corners isn't needed on 90% of the tanks being built with it, as Greengiant mentioned they are over built, and the weakest point in a home built tank is usually the glass/acrylic portion due to the cost yet we all seem to still keep within a safety rating of AT LEAST Public aquariums which is far better than the average professionally built tank.

With this rubber product (regardless of the name on it) there is a GEO-TEXTILE that is used for the seams and corners, although with the overbuilt nature of what we are doing this isn't really going to be necessary in most cases ( I of course will be more than interested in taking your money should you want some of it :D )
 

joey02

Plecostomus
MFK Member
May 22, 2007
1,351
79
51
Canada
thekingofdiy.com
UPDATE:

So i got the glass , installed it using 3 tubes of silicone. Two for the space in between the glass and rubber, and one for the inside and outside seams.

I also finnished up the stand and gave it a coat of paint. i still need to do a couple of more coats to the tank and stand and do a bit of trim, but this is as far as i am as of today.

To cover the top, i used 6mm glass. four sheets, so i can lift the front half up like a regular glass top. I will need a hinge for them and a couple handles still though.

the pics look rough, but i still have lots of work to do with cleaning it up and painting. The silicone has been setting for two days now, i am going to give it a few more days befor i water test.

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