I'm more worried about the water from outside the tank (spilled water etc). I guess I could completely encapsulate the wood on all sides and such but that just seems like chancing too many things. I'll research more but really like the idea of a big glass tank. Acrylic scratches too easy and this tank will hopefully be around a long time.
yea,it needs to be waterproofed inside and out,I did mine like that.....but I understand the wanting all glass too,it's very difficult to aquascape a wooden tank 'cause you can't see what you're doing from the rear of the tank,but a tank that big,you about have to get in it to do the 'scape anyway
plywood is really easy to drill for bulkheads,but every hole creates a potential place for water exposure to the wood if not properly sealed with epoxy....it does have it's disadvantages if not done correctly and there are more chances of failure than with glass,it is less expensive to build but there's a lot of work that goes into 'em too....
I say,if you can afford glass,than by all means,use it and go with low iron glass in the viewing panes...for anybody on a really tight budget,try plywood as an option,it really can be built to last forever,and it can be done a little at a time,as money permits,with buying the materials and such.....custom designs are easier accomplished with wood than with glass....wood will bend a little,glass will not
either way you go,it's gonna be a sweet tank,and I'm confident you'll do it right no matter what you use,and I can't wait to see it in progress as I'm sure you are too....if you decide on plywood,check out the guys on
fingerlakesreef.com • View forum - The Plywood Section...... they've been doing plywood tank since the '70s and there's some really cool tanks over there.....
Al,if you want,I can post some really cool wooden tank threads for you to check out....you'd be amazed at the skilz some of these builders have
I just realized,I've gotten this thread off track a little....I have a habit of doing that
to get back on track....for basic control of the tank,such as,lights,water movement and temp. control,you'd be hard pressed to find a controller better than the AC Jr.,it does all that flawlessly.....if you want more gadgets like Al and some of us other techno geeks
the high end controllers are for you,and from what I've been reading,the Profilux is on top of its game....
with the design of the Profilux,upgrading it is kinda like adding stuff to a computer,which is what it is,it's all plug and play...you can start out basic and work your way up,as needed,without having to buy another head unit...also,the head unit itself can be upgraded to the newest model by sending it back to the company for the upgrade cheaper than buying the new unit...very nice idea there