415 Gallon Plywood Tank Build

[acrylic51]

Now I have to drive to Lancaster and get a piece and practice to see if my crazy idea will work?!?

 

[gemmy]

Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/500#post_3336036
Now I have to drive to Lancaster and get a piece and practice to see if my crazy idea will work?!?
Hmmm...I think I know where in Lancaster your going. Could it be you know that place?

And there are no crazy ideas, just many opportunities to succeed.

 

[acrylic51]

Gemmy I go down there at least a couple times a week work permitting.....it's pretty bad when you go to a place of that size and they know you by your first name.....I've gotten better....I use to go down everyday during the week for a while....I'm a recovering addict though!!!!!

My youngest loves the touch tank....I haven't taken the 2yr old grand daughter yet and broken her in to the touch tank.....Still time though.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/500#post_3336060
Hmmm...I think I know where in Lancaster your going. Could it be you know that place?

And there are no crazy ideas, just many opportunities to succeed.

 

[meowzer]

Where are you talking about?????

 

[gemmy]

Ya know its that pet place in Lancaster, PA. I still have yet to make it out there. I'm afraid I'll get addicted.

 

[meowzer]

OHHHHHH...I never really paid attention to the fact that you can actually go there

 

[acrylic51]

Yeah the place is huge!!! They cater to all animals though.... They have a huge show tank. I'll see if I can sneak a pic of it. The place has really changed over the years though. I remember back in the 80's when the shelves were over flowing with stuff, that you had to dig through. Even bulkheads and stuff weren't locked up back then. Times have changed!!!!
Honestly Gemmy you should make the drive sometime. Salt prices are incredible that you can't beat. I'll let you know when the next big NCPARS Frag swap is, and I'll get you the link for the swap. Awesome stuff and deals!!!!

 

[2quills]

Shawn, what thickness of material did you use to build your sump if I may ask?

 

[al&burke]

Hi Corey, I think he uses 3/8" for his sumps.

 

[2quills]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/520#post_3336375
Hi Corey, I think he uses 3/8" for his sumps.
Cool, I was just currious. I know the sump he made here for this build was somewhere in the neighborhood of 100+gallons. I'm trying to get an idea of what I would need to make a 65g sump, 48x18x18. I'm having a hard time finding a thickness chart anywhere for cast acrylic. I know if I was making a fish tank I would probably want maybe 3/4". But I figure with the euro brace and the extra support from the baffles inside I could maybe get away with 1/2" if not 3/8".

 

[al&burke]

I think it should be fine, like you said the eurobracing and the baffles. My FW sump is actually 1/4" - lots of baffles over the whole length and eurobracing on top.

 

[acrylic51]

Corey I used 3/8" acrylic.....I did euro brace the sump and with figuring with the baffles and the built in fuge tying it together as well, really stiffens the build as well. I actually did a week long water test on the sump when it was out on the glue up table, and had no deflection.....again over time you might see a hair, but you also have to remember the sump won't be full of water all the time....You have to keep in mind that max maybe 12" of water in the sump with the exception of power outages, and water changes.....But again I do my water changes usually from the sump, so not very often. I did a bigger sump 60"L x 18"H x 16"W for my 240 with 1/4" and no problems again....A lot really depends on bracing.
Just remember when your doing your euro bracing to not cut the corners square. Leaving them square if it is stressed it will crack the corners. Use a radius curve going into the corners to distribute the load/stress of the bracing....... Your building a new sump?

 

[2quills]

Ahh...well that's good news then. It means materials cost won't be as bad as I first thought. I'm thinking about it, Shawn. Realizing that I could fit a significantly wider tank under the stand means that I could drop the idea of using a 55G and go with something that would give me a nice increase in water volume without having to go with a longer tank. I think I might be getting a new table saw for christmas and I was up at lowes today on my lunch break and had my eye on this porter cable jointer. With those in hand I'd have everything I need to make a go at building a custom sump.

 

[acrylic51]

Does your wife know where you go on lunch break? Joking!!!!!! I can't say anything...I usually go to Lowes or Home Depot at lunch myself. I've been eyeing the new Porter Cable full size table saw at Lowes, and eyeing the Rigid at Home Depot. I'm leaning toward the Rigid. Solid reputation, and outstanding table....Their cast iron tables are nice. I've been eyeing the Porter Cable jointer as well at Lowes....Every time I get ready to pull the trigger I start looking at the planers as well.....You'll see shortly why I've been looking at planers....I won't spill the beans just yet, will have to let pics show the idea.....
I wonder if I buy both I can blame it on you when my wife see's them in the garage??????

Honey!!!! Corey told me to buy them......

 

[2quills]

Yeah she knows. She usually calls me on my lunch break and the first thing she asks is am I actually eating lunch or am I at lowes again lol. Actually, the Rigid is the one that I'm going with. It was between that one or the Bosch which is slighty more money. But the Rigid has a better reputation though like you said. I like the looks of the full size porter cable at lowes but I need something a little more portable.
Just tell her the tools are mine and I'm hiding them from my wife but I said you could use them lol.

 

[meowzer]

....Don;t your wives ever go on the computer....haha

 

[acrylic51]

Hhmmmm I don't know if she'll buy that 1 Corey!!!!!

Meowzer, she never comes in this forum.....She actually just started hinting she finally wants to enter modern civilization and get a computer.....She uses them all day at work, but has no interest outside of work....Heck it was a chore to get her to upgrade to a smart phone.....She hated it and took it back for the old basic flip phone.....She's truly an outstanding woman to put up with me....Never asks for anything except a little TV time on Wednesdays with me.....I actually hate TV.....

 

[acrylic51]

On a the tank build note!!!! We've tossed around the idea of embedding the background in epoxy.....What do you guys think about doing the bottom of the tank in white?

 

[2quills]

Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/520#post_3336430
On a the tank build note!!!! We've tossed around the idea of embedding the background in epoxy.....What do you guys think about doing the bottom of the tank in white?
Hmmm....might not be my first choice personally, seems kinda unnatural. Are you dead seat on doing bb? Could you maybe go with aragonite substrate or something a little larger than the sugar size sand that won't get blown around so bad?

 

[spanko]

I have seen some builds use the textured paint on the outside bottom to create a look like sand and have no substrate in the tank. Looks nice but will eventually become covered at least partially with coralline.