[scubadude]

I was thinking instead of getting marine plywood or marine grade then just using poplar then staining it then totally sealling it off with Fiber Resin (fiberglass - no mesh cloths..pure liquid w/mix of hardner). Im wondering if anyone has tried this? and if so how did it turnout Pros/Cons plez One of the main reasons that I want this is so the boards dont warp and they will be virtually weatherproofed?

[mgk65]

scubadude:

I am a couple of steps in front of you for this. I spoke to a woodworking reefer, Greg Moore, and came to these conclusions:

Plywood is better due to less chance of warping.

I decided on using regular oak plywood and sealing with a marine or boat grade two-part epoxy and topcoating the inside with a marine two part LPU (Linear Polyurethane). The outside with have the exoxy also, but I will topcoat the outside with marine spar varnish. There will be two coats of everything.

The LPU is better for UV protection than the spar varnish, while the spar varnish costs less. The LPU comes in several colors. I purchased a white and a clear. I'll put the white coat on first then the clear.

I purchased all of these from www.systemthree.com . They manufacture all of these products and sell direct.

I have not actually started, but this is where my research has lead so far.

mgk

[srgtkoons]

Im actually looking at doing somthing similiar. I am planning on making a larger tank and using plywood for the back and bottom. The sides and front will have a window for viewing. The glass for the side and front will be thicker glass to handle the pressure. The back and bottom I am going to put a sheet of thin glass that will be glued to the glass. Its a bit hard for me to explain but essentially the wood will support the tank but hopefully not incontact with the water at all, I have been playing with this idea for a while but havent gotten around to start constructing it. Right now im currently gathering supplies for a small nano tank design iv had in mind.

[organicreefer]

srgkoons,i had the same idea,except i was thinking of lining the inside of part of my cabinet to make the sump.i think it might even work!
a couple things that i thought that might be a problem:
if the wood warps the glass might break
rocks might break thin glass
other than that ive been toying with the idea for awhile.i have heard of anyone doing it ,so maybe you just have to do it to figure out if it will really work

[srgtkoons]

That what im concerned about. 1. Either inconsistencies or warping in the wood might crack the glass. To try to stem this, I am of course going to treat the wood. I have been also looking into supporting the plywood to prevent warping. But i dont think that is going to be required because if those people who make wooden tanks without glass inserts dont warp then why would mine. I would treat it the same way. I just feel the glass would be an insurence towards its longevity and maintence free.