Plywood / Glass Hybrid Sump

Ken Sellick · 04/01/2011, 05:14 PM

I am just finishing up a hybrid sump built out of plywood and lined with 1/4" glass. Just wondering if anybody has ever done this before?

The sump is 36"L x 17"W x 58"H overall. the odd size of the sump is based on the small fish closet it is being stuffed into.

twintrades · 04/01/2011, 05:16 PM

56 high ?? Whoa Why so high ?

Ken Sellick · 04/01/2011, 05:23 PM

The sump is 58" high to match the height of the 100 gal aquarium it is sitting behind, and to maxumize the volume of the sump

widmer · 04/01/2011, 10:09 PM

My concern with lining a plywood tank with glass would be that the plywood would flex under load behind the less-flexible glass, allowing it to crack...

ncwaterboy · 04/02/2011, 04:24 AM

Why not encapsulate the plywood box in epoxy and do away with the glass? And 58" seems awfully high to me as well.

Ken Sellick · 04/02/2011, 03:42 PM

Thanks for responding.
The sump is constructed of 2 layers of 3/4" plywood (cdx) and screwed togeather with 3" course thread drywall screws at 3" on center. the plywood sheets are glued togeather to increase regidity.
i am still concerned about the sump flexing to much when it is filled.
I am considering adding 3 hoopes of one inch square steel tubing as additional reinforcement. this would help minimuize the flex of the plywood.

Ken Sellick · 04/02/2011, 03:46 PM

I got the 1/4" glass for free. I was originally going to line the sump with epoxy and fiberglass but the materials would have cost another 100$

lotsoftats · 04/02/2011, 03:50 PM

I would like to see it just out of curiosity....You have any pics?

Ken Sellick · 04/02/2011, 03:56 PM

i tried to document the construction process and have several pre assembly shots.
The final assembly was done in the fish closet so its hard to get a good image of the tank.
I will try to post a few shots

04/01/2011, 05:14 PM	#1
Ken Sellick Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Key West, Fl Posts: 193	Plywood / Glass Hybrid Sump I am just finishing up a hybrid sump built out of plywood and lined with 1/4" glass. Just wondering if anybody has ever done this before? The sump is 36"L x 17"W x 58"H overall. the odd size of the sump is based on the small fish closet it is being stuffed into.

04/02/2011, 03:50 PM	#8
lotsoftats Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: 40356 Posts: 1,147	I would like to see it just out of curiosity....You have any pics? __________________ Current Tanks: 40 breeder with 40 breeder sump/fuge

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04/01/2011, 05:16 PM	#2
twintrades Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 671	56 high ?? Whoa Why so high ?

04/01/2011, 05:23 PM	#3
Ken Sellick Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Key West, Fl Posts: 193	The sump is 58" high to match the height of the 100 gal aquarium it is sitting behind, and to maxumize the volume of the sump

04/01/2011, 10:09 PM	#4
widmer Drug Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 2,958	My concern with lining a plywood tank with glass would be that the plywood would flex under load behind the less-flexible glass, allowing it to crack...

04/02/2011, 04:24 AM	#5
ncwaterboy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 100	Why not encapsulate the plywood box in epoxy and do away with the glass? And 58" seems awfully high to me as well.

04/02/2011, 03:42 PM	#6
Ken Sellick Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Key West, Fl Posts: 193	Thanks for responding. The sump is constructed of 2 layers of 3/4" plywood (cdx) and screwed togeather with 3" course thread drywall screws at 3" on center. the plywood sheets are glued togeather to increase regidity. i am still concerned about the sump flexing to much when it is filled. I am considering adding 3 hoopes of one inch square steel tubing as additional reinforcement. this would help minimuize the flex of the plywood.

04/02/2011, 03:46 PM	#7
Ken Sellick Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Key West, Fl Posts: 193	I got the 1/4" glass for free. I was originally going to line the sump with epoxy and fiberglass but the materials would have cost another 100$

04/02/2011, 03:56 PM	#9
Ken Sellick Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Key West, Fl Posts: 193	i tried to document the construction process and have several pre assembly shots. The final assembly was done in the fish closet so its hard to get a good image of the tank. I will try to post a few shots