You should test that color out on a small mockup piece before committing to using it on your tank, couldn't hurt and you may find you don't like it. At least you'd have the option to go get and test out a few other colors.
500 gal plywood aquarium update.
- Thread starter 808_fairladyz
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YES! that is a good idea. That didn't even cross my mind. Thanx :banghead:
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Ok so I gave the resin pigment a test run and that stuff is crazy. I put literally a drop smaller than a dime in 2 oz of resin and it turned the whole thing into paint. The color didn't dilute, it just kept spreading. The color is a solid blue. Here's what it looked like applied to wood and fiberglass
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I apologize if this has been covered already but I did a quick skim and and don't think it has, I was just wondering what kind of lighting system you plan on using for a tank this large. Would standard fluorescents project enough light to hit the bottom?
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Good question. I'm not planning on getting anything extreme being that I'm not growing plants or light sensitive fish. I was @ home depot looking @ a 96 inch light fixture that uses 4 T8 florescent bulbs. I'll probably do that or get two 24 inch fixtures. Which ever setup is more energy efficient. I realize that proper lighting is important for most but I'll be housing one silver aro and two Achara cats. The Achara cats don't even like bright lights so I'm not concerned about it. I will how ever mix in some warmer colored bulbs with some whites and blues to try to get a wider range of light spectrum coverage. Keep in mind, this is my first build, I've never even owned anything near this size so I will no doubt be trying new things and evolving along the way, as should any enthusiast, should never stop learning new things.
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Ultimately sir, we will both know the answer to this question when I am done
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Ok so today I learned that polyester resin is not recommended for water containment and in turn, is not suitable as a sole means of sealing an aquarium. I was told that I'll have to do a final coat using epoxy based resin which also happens to cost. 2-3 times more than polyester resin. Looks like some changes will need to be made. I'll post more updates when can.
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Combining quotes from two different threads here.
I forgot you were in Hawaii. That does change things. But with the boating and surfboard industry in your area I'd encourage you to at least dig around a bit and see if you can buy a the amount of resin + hardener you need to finish your project. I'd be shocked if there weren't epoxy surfboards made right there in Hawaii and even more shocked if they're paying $186 per gallon for the epoxy they use.
There was another build thread in the past few years on MFK by a guy from Hawaii. You might try to track down his thread and see what he used. You might also see if you can get some sort of rubberized pool paint.
I do some digging around about Zophar and see if I can find anything. Have you found the MSDS on it? Just skimming over the labels you pictured makes me wonder if it's solvent based?
I'd at least go and read some of the recent threads on polyester sealed tanks. Maybe also see if you can contact a company that makes fiberglass aquaculture tanks and see what sort of fish safe gel coat they're using.
Curiosity got the best of me. Quick google search shows that fiberglass aquaculture tanks are coated with polyester gel coats. Seems that there are FDA approved varieties. Of course that doesn't help you if you can't get them in or to Hawaii for not too much money.
Not a lot out there about Zophar. At least so far.
Not a lot out there about Zophar. At least so far.
Thanx. I checked with the owner of a lfs I frequent and he used epoxy to seal his in store displays. It never even cross my mind to ask him till today. He's not surprised about the pricing of epoxy cause apparently he buys his from the same place. Seems to me like they're marking up prices big time. He says that Zophar is ok to use, but he thinks black is ugly. You've been a really big help today. Aloha 
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