Building a plywood frag tank. Need some info!

[fencer]

I never used epoxy. Just glued it and there are enough screws to hold it tight. Painted it and siliconed it.

[Edmonton newbie]

lee valley in edmonton stocks the west system .... same stuff you use for wood boats

[fencer]

Must be food grade epoxy

[zum14]

I used West systems on mine. I was informed once dry it was inert. Let us know how the coraline buildup on the plywood is. Thats really the only thing im worried about. Heres a couple pics of the one I did. I still havent got the glass cut for it yet.

[sphelps]

I have a hard time seeing how plywood will be cheaper than glass for a frag tank. 1/4" glass is awfully cheap and a gallon of that epoxy paint is pretty expensive. Glass is also a lot easier and you'll have less exposure to the fumes which will shorten your life

Typically you can get 1/4" glass cut to size for no more than $5 per square foot. I suggest pricing this out before going though the trouble involved with a plywood build.

[Binare]

Originally Posted by sphelps

I have a hard time seeing how plywood will be cheaper than glass for a frag tank. 1/4" glass is awfully cheap and a gallon of that epoxy paint is pretty expensive. Glass is also a lot easier and you'll have less exposure to the fumes which will shorten your life

Typically you can get 1/4" glass cut to size for no more than $5 per square foot. I suggest pricing this out before going though the trouble involved with a plywood build.

Agreed. I'd also look into that grow place on edmonton trail. You can buy cheap shallow tubs that are food grade plastic there. Sizes up to 4'X8' for less then a hundred bucks if memory serves me. Aint gonna build a plywood frag tank for cheaper then that.

[mike31154]

Yes, it's a frag tank, West System epoxy is not cheap but it is after all a DIY thread and think of the possibilities & flexibility of a plywood build. You have the freedom to build it any size and shape you wish without too much hassle. Easily drill holes to your heart's content. Epoxy is totally inert once cured and provided you do the work in a properly ventilated space, the fumes while curing are not a problem at all. Many of us use two part epoxy putty for securing frags, so where the idea of toxicity comes from in this thread I don't know.

Although I haven't built a plywood tank, I have built a boat and I'm sure a rectangular vessel to hold some frags would not be that difficult. Fewer panes of breakable material to worry about. You don't have to get too fancy, but if you wish, you could get quite creative with wood, including inlays.