8' plywood tank (200+gallons)

[Mrc8858]

Well its standing with no supports in yet but here's an idea of the size of this thing lol

 

[vance1013]

Looks real good nice and big lol

 

[Pufferlove]

Huge.... All I can say

 

[Mrc8858]

Help me stock this tank too guys

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f100/stocking-220-gallon-235260.html

 

[meegosh]

It is hard to tell from the pictures but it looks like the legs come all the way up to the top of the top frame? Those screws that hold legs to the top frame are taking all the weight. Look at the plans I linked on how to properly seat the top frame on the legs and legs on the bottom frame. The way illustrated in the plans will make it so that the wood takes the weight, not the screws. I wouldn't trust 196g of water on screws.

My 75g has two 2x4's on each corner. That's 8 2x4's holding my 75g up. You only have 8 holding a 196g tank.

 

[Andrew McFadden]

It is hard to tell from the pictures but it looks like the legs come all the way up to the top of the top frame? Those screws that hold legs to the top frame are taking all the weight. Look at the plans I linked on how to properly seat the top frame on the legs and legs on the bottom frame. The way illustrated in the plans will make it so that the wood takes the weight, not the screws. I wouldn't trust 196g of water on screws.

My 75g has two 2x4's on each corner. That's 8 2x4's holding my 75g up. You only have 8 holding a 196g tank.

I agree I just didn't want to say anything till I seen what he does when he adds the supports. I built mine totally different and I could probably drive a cement truck over it, but I had a builder/architect help me that know how much weight everything will hold.

I took a look at the link you posted and he is on the right track it looks to me because he said he still needs to add the supports in. The way that's built and your link I'm not sure if I'd trust it on a big tank.

Do they build wood stands the same on big tanks the same way they do on little tanks?

 

[Kat767]

I agree I just didn't want to say anything till I seen what he does when he adds the supports. I built mine totally different and I could probably drive a cement truck over it, but I had a builder/architect help me that know how much weight everything will hold.

I took a look at the link you posted and he is on the right track it looks to me because he said he still needs to add the supports in. The way that's built and your link I'm not sure if I'd trust it on a big tank.

Do they build wood stands the same on big tanks the same way they do on little tanks?

I would hope not. With big tanks you need more support and you need the weight spread out more evenly over the whole stand. With smaller tanks you can get by with a fairly simple stand. And the more weight the more careful you have to be because if the screws hold the weight and not the wood they will pull out at some point and dump all that Water into your floor.

 

[Wade91789]

Following also!!

 

[Mrc8858]

Ya those boards won't be taking any weight. The bottoms of the legs are not yet screwed into the bottom of the stand that way when I add in the supports all the weight will then be transferred to the support boards. Each leg will be encased by 3 2x4 supports and once they are all in ill then screw the legs to the bottom framing that way 100% of the weight is going from top frame to support boards to bottom frame to floor.. I know what I'm doing lol

 

[Mrc8858]

Here's a shot to give you an idea. Those aren't screwed in just resting there

 

[Mrc8858]

Still waiting on that title change too fort lol

 

[meegosh]

I agree I just didn't want to say anything till I seen what he does when he adds the supports. I built mine totally different and I could probably drive a cement truck over it, but I had a builder/architect help me that know how much weight everything will hold.

I took a look at the link you posted and he is on the right track it looks to me because he said he still needs to add the supports in. The way that's built and your link I'm not sure if I'd trust it on a big tank.

Do they build wood stands the same on big tanks the same way they do on little tanks?

Actually a buddy has the same stand holding his 210g up. Anything over a 72" span horizontally needs center supports when using those plans. In his case he wanted doors so it gave him a perfect spot to anchor the hinges.

I was pointing out those plans because the way they did the legs is pretty slick.

 

[Mrc8858]

Ya meegosh I don't want you to think I'm offended or anything by your posts lol I can just be blunt sometimes haha your advice is always greatly appreciated.

 

[vance1013]

Looks good coming along nicely

 

[Mrc8858]

While waiting for my other boards I decided to use the 1' scraps to cut braces... I wanna point out I'm using a hand saw to cut boards so its some work lmao.. ill use these to help eliminate any bowing over time across the span.

 

[vance1013]

Looks good did you use a miter saw

 

[Mrc8858]

Nope just a speed square and hand saw lol

 

[vance1013]

Nope just a speed square and hand saw lol

Lol that works too

 

[meegosh]

Looking good! I can't imagine cutting those all by hand! Also, I think they wifey would kill me for doing my projects on the hardwood floors, lol! Keep us posted on how things turn out.

I'm going to read through the first few pages again but what do you plan on using to seal it? I was looking into doing a 4' square tank that was 2' deep with plywood. Was looking into that RubberizeIt stuff. Saw a couple folks use it with great results.

Edit: Just saw you plan on using Pond Shield.. let me know how it works for you. I'm still dreaming of my 4' square tank.

 

[Mrc8858]

I didnt realize you lived in Pitt meegosh. What part? Im just south of you in wheeling lol. Also, i just noticed youre a mod, i asked fort but i think his inbox was full. Could you change the title to "8' plywood tank (200+gallons)"?