Plywood types, thickness and fiberglass reinforcement....??????

[CHFIII]

I still think you only need 1/2" with some fiberglass. It would be plenty strong enough for the smaller tanks. The weight of the fiberglass determines how easily it conforms to shapes. If you were doing a lot of curves I would say use lighter weight. But since you're doing mostly straight flat areas any weight would be ok. Just remember the heavier the cloth the more difficult it is to work with and the more resin it takes to soak in. I would never use any heavier than a medium weight because it's a pain to work with when the cloth sticks to everything except where you intend it to. Don't ask me how I know....

btw I have slipped disk from moving a weight. I wasn't even doing a lift at the time. That split second changed my life. So I do a lot of hyperextensions and ab work to keep the core strengthened.

Thanks Sashimi,
That's exactly the type of advice that I love about this forum. The "Yeah.... buts" that you pick up from good ideas gone awry like too heavy of a mat . I will do the first one with 1/2" ply and fiberglass and see how it works out. The tanks will be 14, 16 and 18" but the window size will be the same regardless. I don't particularly care about losing some of the top/bottom from view.

My back issue seemed like a slipped disc at first - started having a lot of pain in my lower lumbar area and glutes after a 100 mile bike race on a 118 degree day and I just figured I overdid it. Almost two years of physical therapy, epidural steroid injections, chiropractic, massage and it was only getting worse. Let me return the favor you did me with the fiberglass advice: If any doc ever says "fusion" just say "you first!" ...I just got the Coflex implant the FDA approved late last year and by day 7 I was in less pain than before surgery... Fusion and I'd still be in bed wimpering.


Are 4' sections really cheaper than 8'? My understanding is that 'standard' sheets are like 60x120 so I'd think twice the length just means less cuts? No reason I can't do two 4' sections per row instead of one 8' section but it seems like less work build one than 2.