1000+ Gallon Display Plywood/Fiberglass Build

Should I cut access above tank or just trim out like it is

  • Just trim out around glass and leave wall like it is

    Votes: 20 76.9%

  • Cut access above tank.

    Votes: 6 23.1%
  • Total voters
    26
  • Poll closed .
MattShack

MattShack

Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build

Ok. Question for everyone...

I've been reading a lot on the fiberglass and epoxy and I really want to do the pour method, instead of trying to roll everything on the vertical walls. As we all know, I'm building the tank inside. I can not rotate the tank on end because it's 129" long and I have 96" ceiling height in that room. But I can rotate it onto its back and front and of course upright. So the only places I can't do the pour method is the two ends.

My thought... I can get everyting set up and pour the two ends before they are installed on the tank, leaving some fiberglass cloth sticking out and leaving about 1/8" from each edge with no epoxy. Install the two end panels and rotate the tank onto its back and pour the back, the bottom, then front. The key to this would be to get the side panels installed at the right time to get a chemical bond with the epoxy.

What do you think?
 
F

funkpolice

Active Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build

I'd say that if you are comfortable with the fiberglass it sounds like a solid plan. I've never done something like that, so I would be hesitant to put myself under a time constraint like that.
bill
 
MattShack

MattShack

Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build

I'm going to be working inside, so temperature should be below 75 degrees. That should help. I could go with a slower hardner to give me more working time.
 
Willie McDaries

Willie McDaries

Well-Known Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build

MattShack said:
I'm going to be working inside, so temperature should be below 75 degrees. That should help. I could go with a slower hardner to give me more working time.
Click to expand...

Matt,
think of it like this.....if you could stand the tank on end and pour,then turn it to the other end and pour it........the first pour side has had more time to cure than if you did both sides at once,and installed them at the same time,so I think you'll save some time by doing it like you plan.......go with the slower hardener,and you should be ok :thumbup:
 
MattShack

MattShack

Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build

Willie McDaries said:
Matt,
think of it like this.....if you could stand the tank on end and pour,then turn it to the other end and pour it........the first pour side has had more time to cure than if you did both sides at once,and installed them at the same time,so I think you'll save some time by doing it like you plan.......go with the slower hardener,and you should be ok :thumbup:
Click to expand...


Thanks Willie, If it don't work, then I'll just be doing some sanding. :D
 
F

funkpolice

Active Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build

try to get a few in progress picks if you can, I want to see how it's done.
bill
 
MattShack

MattShack

Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build

funkpolice, I will try to document steb-by-step and post pics.

fata1ity, :LOL: I'm kinda at a stand still right now working on little things (unless you want a pic of me sanding) :D, It will probably be a week or so before I get to that point. I will post more pics and try to talk less :LOL:
 
MattShack

MattShack

Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build

Picture taken specially for fata1ity. :D

Epoxy filled screw hole that has been sanded.

061509epoxfilscrewhole.JPG
 
MattShack

MattShack

Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build

I cut out the overflows today. I took a few close-up pictures of the bond between the two 1/2" layers of plywood. It came out pretty nice. I still have to clean up the corners a little.

061709plywood1.JPG


061709plywood2.JPG


061709plywoodthickness.JPG
 
MattShack

MattShack

Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build

Willie McDaries said:
Matt,you're about 1/16" shy of the 1",you'll have to add extra epoxy to make up the difference :D
Click to expand...


Haha.. I was wondering when someone was going to say that. It will have 1/8" layer of epoxy. Then I'll be 1/16" over. I guess to be exact, the plywood was 15/32" instead of 1/2". :D
 
Willie McDaries

Willie McDaries

Well-Known Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build

MattShack said:
Haha.. I was wondering when someone was going to say that. It will have 1/8" layer of epoxy. Then I'll be 1/16" over. I guess to be exact, the plywood was 15/32" instead of 1/2". :D
Click to expand...

yep,I gave everyone else a chance at it,no one said anything about it so,I felt obligated to mention it...:lol:...my 3/4" plywood was actually 23/32"......when they sanded the 1 side of the plywood,that's what they end up with....if they sanded both sides of 3/4" they'd almost have to sell it for 1/2" :lol:

was the 2 layers of 1/2" plywood less expensive than 1 layer of 3/4"?
 
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