WP's 250 gal Plywood Starphire Tank

[CL]

Did you use a hole saw for those? I assume that they don't make spade bits over 1"

[Wasserpest]

Originally Posted by A Hill

Looks like this will be yet another awesome creation.

My one major problem with plywood tanks is a lot of the time people make them and the viewing pain has a center brace... Please tell me you're getting thick enough glass for one single pain.

I figure you probably are, but it still is the first thing that comes to mind...

-Andrew

Viewing pane center brace? Not sure what you mean exactly... There will be one single glass in front, and honestly, I have not seen many tanks with multiple viewing panes, aside from superhugemonster tanks.

For the first plywood tank I built, I used a steel angle across the top in front and kept it completely brace-less for easiest access. With this one, I go for ultimate security, and will use a threaded steel rod that keeps back and front from bowing out. Much better than the fat glass/plastic center brace on the 100gal tank that will be replaced.

[Wasserpest]

Originally Posted by clwatkins10

Did you use a hole saw for those? I assume that they don't make spade bits over 1"

Yep, used a 1.5" hole saw bit. Works better than spade bits, which remove a lot more wood, and therefore need more effort. My hole saw bit is only 1" long, so I started on one side, then flipped the plywood and finished it up from the other side. That way there was also no splintering at all.

[monkeyruler90]

wow, i can't wait till this monster is up and running.

[A Hill]

Originally Posted by Wasserpest

Viewing pane center brace? Not sure what you mean exactly... There will be one single glass in front, and honestly, I have not seen many tanks with multiple viewing panes, aside from superhugemonster tanks.
.

Yes I'm talking about a single front pane of glass a while ago I had done a lot of reading about plywood tanks a lot of them were made by people cutting costs even more by using thinner glass and putting a piece of wood going up the middle of the window, kinda weird.

Can't wait to see how well yours turns out!

-Andrew

[lauraleellbp]

*sigh* Oh to have a spouse like yours... and a basement... and your skills...

OK, I admit it, I'm totally jealous!

[idontknow]

I loved your last thread....cant wait to see this one turn out.

[Wasserpest]

Thanks guys... I wish we had a basement too, but you are right, I can't complain about the spouse.

Ran a bit into a snag. The "oak" plywood that I bought for the front doesn't seem right. After cutting out the viewing window, it feels like balsa wood covered with oak veneer. Duh! So I am contemplating after all going to the lumber place and spending another $40 on a heavier sheet of better 7 or 9 ply.

[@marko@]

congrats on your enormous DIY.
i would never have anywhere near that much guts to build my own tank (let alone such a massive one).

[Consigliere]

Looks like a fun project. Can't wait to see how things progress.

[Hoppy]

Originally Posted by Wasserpest

Thanks guys... I wish we had a basement too, but you are right, I can't complain about the spouse.

Ran a bit into a snag. The "oak" plywood that I bought for the front doesn't seem right. After cutting out the viewing window, it feels like balsa wood covered with oak veneer. Duh! So I am contemplating after all going to the lumber place and spending another $40 on a heavier sheet of better 7 or 9 ply.

Have you considered "Baltic Birch" type plywood? It is made of 100% birch, all plies, and the quality is much higher. If you want an oak outer face, just veneer it with oak veneer. If you can do laminates you can do veneers. It usually comes in sheets that are not 4' x 8' though, since it is a European plywood.

[Wasserpest]

Where do you buy that? Lumber place?

Shows that I am still a beginner. I thought "Oak Plywood" is made out of oak, but apparently it is just a reference to the veneer (which I don't care about at this stage). While the plies are very good, hardly any holes/spaces, it just feels way too light and flexible.

[Hoppy]

There is a hardwoods dealer near me, where I can buy walnut, mahogany, oak, etc., plywood veneered with many different woods, and Baltic or Finnish Birch Plywood. The birch plywood seems to all come from Russia, but it is the best quality plywood I have seen for years. Most of it is in metric sizes, arout 5 feet by 7 feet, as I recall, but they had 4 foot by 8 foot sheets the last time I bought some, about 5 years ago.

[Regloh]

Uuuuuuhhh..
We have all waited for this one to start! *giddy*
I can't believe I missed the first few days of this...
Good luck Wasser.

[Wasserpest]

Thanks Reg, glad to have you in this thread.

Well there is some progress. I made up my mind and purchased another sheet of plywood from a lumber place. The guy who cut it must have been hungover from the weekend, and didn't get it straight. Second try, now it is straight, but a 1/16 smaller than I wanted. Okay, no big deal.

This is 7 ply pine plywood, AC exterior grade, after cutting out the window I can compare it to the "oak" sheet I mis-bought. It's not all bad though, I think I can use the wasted viewing window as the front for the stand.

Also, I just picked up the 1/2" Starphire sheet. Man is that sucker heavy! $234 for a nicely beveled 25x65 panel. Well I hope... I haven't measured it actually.

The Sweetwater paint just arrived as well... so I should be pretty set with materials, just need a bunch of time to put it all together. Yesterday I glued the back panels to the stand. Next will be the front to the base, and then the sides.