Plywood Tank project. Jr. MFK

[djlancer88]

I need some ideas, or help with colors. For the inside i really want to go white, but then on the other hand i want to go with black???hmmm...

Then not to mention the outside any ideas for trim or stain? or maybe even the same epoxy i use on the inside. Id like to stain the outside but i have about 20 screw holes in the front, and i think if i trim it out it will look like a big picture frame which i dont want

 

[zennzzo]

...i have about 20 screw holes in the front, and i think if i trim it out it will look like a big picture frame which i dont want

Just go a single layer of matting over the screws and sand smooth, paint it any color you want...My Fav color is black for tank and trim...makes all your other colors like fish, deco, etc., POP!!

 

[djlancer88]

stained trim? or painted?

 

[djlancer88]

ahhh screw it, lets not get ahead of ourselves, well save that for later when the time comes

 

[zennzzo]

ahhh screw it, lets not get ahead of ourselves, well save that for later when the time comes

 

[djlancer88]

we have a problem, upon closer examination of the tank. I found down by one of the ends where i must of lost track on not to be careless. i found 3 screws that split the wood, this a big problem?

if so i can always restart and go bigger, lol

its not those gouges, its the little lumps

 

[zennzzo]

These? where are they located on the tank?

 

[djlancer88]

yup those are the culprits

 

[African_Fever]

With how many screws you have across the entire length, I'd think you'd be ok. Did you evenly space all the screws across the front? I just did a 71.5"x26.75"x22" (odd dimensions were to fit on the bottom of a stand), and did the same thing at 2 spots with my screws. I spaced them at 2.5" across the entire length, so figured one 5" space with 50% of the holding strength when compared with the rest would be fine. I have NO center bracing on my tank, but did a 'Euro' style brace with 4" across the front and 8" across the rear, with 2 cutouts to fit AC500's at a later date if I change the stand (the 4 holes are for FX5 hoses, no clamps needed b/c they're exactly the right size). I have absolutely NO bowing at all. With an 8' tank such as yours, I'd probably do a Euro brace front and back, with 2 - 4" cross braces, using 3/4 ply for everything.

 

[djlancer88]

Yup, i am going to be using the euro bracing, and a 12" centered cross brace, or even two you never know.
A lot of my screws range from 1" apart
thanks for words of wisdom!!!! Honestly in my opinion i dont think those 3 screw will cause any damage, especially if i fiberglass the thing to.

what did yout coat your tank with?