Can Someone Explain In Basic Terms What A Plywood Tank Is?

Gazoo · Apr 7, 2009

I've seen the term plywood tank but I don't understand what they are. Could someone explain what they are as well some of the concerns in keeping one?

saltynay · Apr 7, 2009

Plywood is an artificial wood made by taking sheets of natural wood and putting each sheet at right angles to the grain of the previous sheet. The benefits of it are that it doesn't warp, shrink, split, comes in large sizes and is high in strength. The concerns are that marine plywood is very expensive so most people make a plywood box then line it with fibreglass or pond liner to make it waterproof and its flexible when in thinner sheets so needs external bracing to stop it bowing. Its usually used to make excessively large aquariums 500+ gallons as its very cost-effective to work with and you can add acrylic or glass viewing windows.

Duck1976 · Apr 8, 2009

Gazoo said:
I've seen the term plywood tank but I don't understand what they are. Could someone explain what they are as well some of the concerns in keeping one?

Have a look through this and check out the youtube vids on their as well. Shows Jon extending his plywood tank. Very good reading/viewing.

http

/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...5342&hl=800

DJ ArKaDaRkA · Apr 8, 2009

would mdf not be stronger than ply?

i know its heavy but we find mdf very good for building loud speakers if its only for an install in a club but we use marine ply if its for touring because its lighter

saltynay · Apr 8, 2009

Mdf isn't as flexible as ply and snaps quite easily plus if the tank leaks at all the mdf will act like a sponge which would be a real mess.

DJ ArKaDaRkA · Apr 8, 2009

saltynay said:
Mdf isn't as flexible as ply and snaps quite easily plus if the tank leaks at all the mdf will act like a sponge which would be a real mess.

i suppose it would also depend on tank size, 1" MDF aint going to snap at 2 ft

DJ ArKaDaRkA · Apr 8, 2009

is there any water proof paint you can use to seal the wood and make it water tight?

bitteraspects · Apr 8, 2009

I use pond armor personally, but you can use fiberglass and marine epoxy, or just pond liner if you don't have a viewing window

DJ ArKaDaRkA · Apr 8, 2009

bitteraspects said:
I use pond armor personally, but you can use fiberglass and marine epoxy, or just pond liner if you don't have a viewing window

i just wanted to make something small but it will probally work out cheaper to buy a small tank than buy the epoxy resin

bitteraspects · Apr 8, 2009

Plywood builds are usually used as a cheap alternative for large applications. For smaller sizes like the 24" you suggested earlier, it's not worth the materials.
My next plywood build will be 84" x 48"

DJ ArKaDaRkA · Apr 8, 2009

bitteraspects said:
Plywood builds are usually used as a cheap alternative for large applications. For smaller sizes like the 24" you suggested earlier, it's not worth the materials.
My next plywood build will be 84" x 48"

i might try using a plastic storage bin or small holding tank cut a hole for some plexi glass and job done

no sealing corners perfect for a quarintine/ breading tank :good: