500g Plywood/Glass Build external C2C with Solar Tubes

[Photobug]

Originally Posted by Lavoisier

I could not find anything from my google search so thanks in advance. I am on my way to HD to exchange the biscuits and will ask there but I hope someone sees this post before I get back to confirm whatever I hear at HD.

I usually hear "Um I don't know" at Home Depot.

I think the biscuits are there for alignment as much as gluing surface.

I am not sure where you are using them, are you butt joining the ply or making corners with the biscuits? Is the plywood going to be structural or just facing? I would just put biscuits every 10" or so, glue and clamp and let the glue do the work.

Go to woodnet.net for expert advise on woodworking.

[Lavoisier]

Thanks Photobug. I am doing butt joints and the plywood is structural. One site suggested a minimum of 3" between #10 biscuits. I will be using screws as well as biscuits.

[Conspiculatus]

Best of luck on your build. Keep us updated.

[Photobug]

Originally Posted by Lavoisier

Thanks Photobug. I am doing butt joints and the plywood is structural. One site suggested a minimum of 3" between #10 biscuits. I will be using screws as well as biscuits.

In that case I would back up the joint with a reinforcement. If you have the space on the back size a 6" or more wide piece of plywood. After the butt joint with biscuits has dried I would cut a piece of plywood 6" wide and overlap either side of the joint by 3" and glue the surface over the joint. If you are going to have a wood frame around the top or bottom or both. Leave the splice reinforcement short of that area.

[Lavoisier]

Slow progress over Thanksgiving. I started constructing the sump. As one wise RC build suggested practice building with sump before the DT! The box is complete, I'll work on the baffles, sock holder, etc., this week:

Biscuits:



Up to my elbows:



A seam done!



I received the par meter from Apogee and have set it up to record a day of solar at 21"





And finally a few "goodies" I'm looking forward to actually using:

[hatcher2014]

Wow amazing build have enjoyed reading every post. I almost had a plywood tank built when I lived in Ohio but moved to oregon to spend time with my mom who was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer lost her in oct sorry got off track. But I had a friend in Ohio that had built several plywood tanks and had a 8x4 himself awesome tank. Also I'm not sure if I didn't catch it or not but what plywood did you decide to go with I was going to use marine but never got to do the build. Can't wait to read more on your progress. Also I'm originally from MO but my dad is from KC born raised Wyndotte county. So planning on making a trip back home next year and hopefully can swing through and see this beauty.

[Lavoisier]

Thank you, Hatcher, for the kind words. Look forward to seeing you in KC. Hopefully, I'll be done by the time you visit your Father. I'm from Oregon originally. Great country. I'm sorry about your Mother...we lost my Father-in-law (Oregon City) two months ago.

I'm using a furniture grade plywood (oak). With the liquid rubber and painting the plywood is fully sealed and protected. If the coatings fail any plywood will also fail, even if it is marine grade.

[jcm2m9]

Have you posted this on Kansas City local local saltwater message board? I am sure there are a bunch of members that would love to help you out.

salt-city.org

[rogergolf66]

Very nice. Looking forward to seeing the progress

[CyclistMT]

Looking good Lavoisier!


I'm so jealous. I really wanted to do sola tubes but couldn't find a reasonable way to do it with my tank in the basement. Looks like you have found a way. Looking forward to those par readings!







Current music selection: 10 Years - Backlash

[jerpa]

I'm interested in the PAR readings from your unconventional solar tubes as well. I notice the sensor isn't leveled. You can remove that screw to have it sit flat. Just be aware your readings will likely be 10-20% lower than they actually are.

[jdpiii3]

Great looking build. I'm happy to see others trying out the solar tube lighting.

[Lavoisier]

Originally Posted by CyclistMT

I'm so jealous. I really wanted to do sola tubes but couldn't find a reasonable way to do it with my tank in the basement. Looks like you have found a way. Looking forward to those par readings!

No need to be jealous, I'm not getting anywhere near enough light. Par readings at 21" (no water) are running 11-12 and right at the glass 67-69! Very disappointed.

Oh well...the best laid plans. I'll have to set up with my 3-400w MH and do a build for leds eventually.

[Conspiculatus]

You are a very brave individual to use plywood to construct an aquarium. Consider for a moment how often plywood boats need their hauls redone in marine environments.

[Killgore]

Following along! Looks good so far! Good luck!

[CyclistMT]

Originally Posted by Lavoisier

No need to be jealous, I'm not getting anywhere near enough light. Par readings at 21" (no water) are running 11-12 and right at the glass 67-69! Very disappointed.

Oh well...the best laid plans. I'll have to set up with my 3-400w MH and do a build for leds eventually.

Lav, didn't you say you set up the meter to record a day of activity? I don't have a meter yet so I don't know how they work but could that have been an average of the day rather than a max? If it was an average, you should try taking a reading at different parts of the day to see what you get. Also, it's winter up here in the northern hemisphere which I would think would give you lower par readings right now due to the angle of the sun. And as jerpa said, get that sensor flat so it collects the photons at the right angle. I think you will still have to supplement but maybe you can still use the solar tubes to some degree.

Originally Posted by Conspiculatus

You are a very brave individual to use plywood to construct an aquarium. Consider for a moment how often plywood boats need their hauls redone in marine environments.

I would say he is a very savvy individual to follow in the footsteps of the rest of us plywood tank builders. I would encourage you to tank a better look around. There are at least 6 active plywood builds/finished tanks on Reef Central right now and probably more than a dozen successful builds in the past few years here.

And there several other boards with plywood tank builds that don't have a build thread here. Plywood tanks have been built all over the world with great success.

There are tried and true methods to building these tanks.

[karimwassef]

All DIY are by definition brave, industrious, and savvy...

[Lavoisier]

Originally Posted by rogergolf66

Very nice. Looking forward to seeing the progress

Thanks for the compliment. I’m glad your following along.

Originally Posted by jdpiii3

Great looking build. I'm happy to see others trying out the solar tube lighting.

I fear that without a more powerful lens on the collection end of the tube I will have tried but failed!

Originally Posted by Killgore

Following along! Looks good so far! Good luck!

Thanks, Killgore.

Originally Posted by CyclistMT

Lav, didn't you say you set up the meter to record a day of activity? I don't have a meter yet so I don't know how they work but could that have been an average of the day rather than a max? If it was an average, you should try taking a reading at different parts of the day to see what you get. Also, it's winter up here in the northern hemisphere which I would think would give you lower par readings right now due to the angle of the sun. And as jerpa said, get that sensor flat so it collects the photons at the right angle. I think you will still have to supplement but maybe you can still use the solar tubes to some degree.

Thanks, Cyclist for the encouragement. I did level out the sensor and will take readings for the rest of the week. I will likely leave the tube in place and continue to monitor (Summer may be a different ballgame altogether). At this point I will hold off purchasing the other 4 tubes I had planned. I would guess that with a more effective "collecter" lens this set up would work. Whether such a lens is doable (cost, expertise in crafting, etc.) will have to be seen.

Originally Posted by karimwassef

All DIY are by definition brave, industrious, and savvy...

Now you’re talking my language!!

[ELGUAP0]

Nice build Lav. I am from the KC area as well....Missouri side. I am starting a build of my own as well. It is nice to see that I am not the only crazy one in this area.

[Crazy_Beaver]

Looking really good!I ll be following!

All the best!

[Lavoisier]

Originally Posted by ELGUAP0

Nice build Lav. I am from the KC area as well....Missouri side. I am starting a build of my own as well. It is nice to see that I am not the only crazy one in this area.

Thank you, Elguapo. Yes, at least two of us crazy ones inKC! I hope you will be able to post your build as you get started. It is enlightening as well as entertaining to see other’s builds.

Originally Posted by Crazy_Beaver

Looking really good!I ll be following!

All the best!

Thank you for the encouragement. I'm glad your following along.

[ELGUAP0]

Originally Posted by Lavoisier

Thank you, Elguapo. Yes, at least two of us crazy ones inKC! I hope you will be able to post your build as you get started. It is enlightening as well as entertaining to see other’s builds.



Thank you for the encouragement. I'm glad your following along.

My friends and family have been more than willing to let me know they think I'm out of my mind building a tank this size. My project is slow going. Right now I am in the middle of reinforcing the basement floor. I just didn't think the floor was thick enough to support the kind of weight of 600 gallons of water. When I get past the boaring stuff and to the actual build I will be starting my own thread.

[Lavoisier]

My 1 1/2" Sea Swirls arrived! I've got to get this tank built to get this neat equipment into service.

[Lavoisier]

Originally Posted by ELGUAP0

My friends and family have been more than willing to let me know they think I'm out of my mind building a tank this size. My project is slow going. Right now I am in the middle of reinforcing the basement floor. I just didn't think the floor was thick enough to support the kind of weight of 600 gallons of water. When I get past the boaring stuff and to the actual build I will be starting my own thread.

Taking it slow and doing it right is always the best course. Sounds like you are doing just that.

[hatcher2014]

Havent heard or seen any up dates just wondering how everything is going.