Mega clear vinyl prototype tank build (concept building)

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Before
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Freshly filled
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water is getting a little cloudy--guess it is still cycling
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I was hesitant to post the pictures because it looks like hell, but it is still very cool looking. There is no support on the sides so it completely distorts the sides of the front view because it is sort of bowing out. If it was fully supported it would be flush with the glass and look fine.

I need to put some gel between the vinyl and the glass to make clarity better. I'll probably get my top secret delivery from amazon tomorrow and see how it goes.
 
Wow that's actually really cool. I may actually look into this vs fiber glass and marine epoxy for my turtles tank build. How well do you think you could put bulkheads through it and do you have any idea on what the pricing will be like for this? Also how durable is it? I know my turtles like to flail at the top of the water against the side to try and get food from me and I'd be worried about their claws, they're not sharp but still.
 
Unbelievable! I think your on to something here. Keep pushing this through the R&D process. With minimal support on the sides your not going to have any stretching of the vinyl. The Gel is a great idea for gapping the two materials, acrylic/vinyl or glass/vinyl. If this works you can make fitted sizes, for example, I have an old 125 with the bottom broken. I don't have the time to repair it and it's just sitting in my garage.
Hell, I'll get started on a 1000+ gallon box if you want to test your invention at my place. I'll even pay for shipping (wink)
 
Zari said:
Wow that's actually really cool. I may actually look into this vs fiber glass and marine epoxy for my turtles tank build. How well do you think you could put bulkheads through it and do you have any idea on what the pricing will be like for this? Also how durable is it? I know my turtles like to flail at the top of the water against the side to try and get food from me and I'd be worried about their claws, they're not sharp but still.
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Thanks.

It will work better than anything else for securing bulkhead fittings--nothing is smoother creating a good seal should be a piece of cake.

it is 20 mils thick--the same thickness of most pool liners, which are made to hold up to physical abuse for years. It has a stiffer hand (which means it doesn't stretch as much and is stiffer feeling) so I think it may be even more durable than pool vinyl. I have to do some more testing to see how/if it scratches. A quick brush with an algae scraper (made for glass tanks) didn't do anything to it.

I actually think, if one does manage to scratch it, you could probably buff it out like an acrylic tank.

I was thinking we could make a 600 gal tank liner for $200, but we aren't at the pricing stage yet.

Please keep in mind this thread is for collaboration, not selling/buying. When we are at that stage you will see a banner ad at the top of the page "Jeff's big-ass tank liners" or something like that.
 
Egon said:
If this works you can make fitted sizes, for example, I have an old 125 with the bottom broken. I don't have the time to repair it and it's just sitting in my garage.
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Yes, we will probably make stock sizes and definitely custom sizes.

Let me get my own big-ass tank going before I start tossing around "free" liners.
 
Well I have plans for an 8'x4'x~2' tank for my turtles in a couple months, I could always try this out and test how well it holds up to their claws. I'm not worried so much about minor scratches cosmetically so much as them actually puncturing it and causing a leak.
 
I remember there is a giant 4000 gallon plywood tank on here that the owner is having problems finding a good liner for it but it has a clear viewing window but the plywood on it leaks. That would be interesting to try something like this new idea on it.

Would it be possible to build a liner like this for something as big a giant swimming pool with viewing windows built into the side of it. This liner could also help save several giant 1000 plus gallon cinder block tanks on here that their owners tried to build but could never find away to close up the tiny dripping leaks on them.
 
jkayden said:
Yes, we will probably make stock sizes and definitely custom sizes.

Let me get my own big-ass tank going before I start tossing around "free" liners.
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Oh, I have money. I would never accept a donation for my hobby. I will pay for your time, materials AND shipping. Looking forward to that "Banner Ad" up here on MFK. When your ready to sell I will be one of the first in a long line.
 
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