My idea for a DIY plywood aquarium

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
8 Oz of black colorant could go along ways depending on how you use it. At the ebay page, Polymer products claims "This 8-ounce kit will tint up to a gallon of epoxy resin to an opaque color." If you plan on having several layers of epoxy, you won't need every coat to be opaque. You might want to start off with just a light tint, then get a little darker each coat, so you can see if you missed any spots. There's no point in going opaque every coat, since you won't be able to see any of the previous coats. Going this route, where you gradually step up darkness, you may only use about 2 Oz of colorant per gallon of resin.

I'm drilling holes for bulkheads after I confirm that the tank holds water without leaks. That way I can eliminate one possibility of what is leaking.
 
coolkeith said:
8 Oz of black colorant could go along ways depending on how you use it. At the ebay page, Polymer products claims "This 8-ounce kit will tint up to a gallon of epoxy resin to an opaque color." If you plan on having several layers of epoxy, you won't need every coat to be opaque. You might want to start off with just a light tint, then get a little darker each coat, so you can see if you missed any spots. There's no point in going opaque every coat, since you won't be able to see any of the previous coats. Going this route, where you gradually step up darkness, you may only use about 2 Oz of colorant per gallon of resin.
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I definitely like the look of that modular tank..I may have to use that idea for later...
And that is a good idea with the colorant..I just wasn't sure how far it would go..Thanks for that info.
 
muttley000 said:
This is what I have done also.
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Hey muttley000- Did you use the pour method in that build also? If so, how did you prevent resin from leaking out through the bulkhead holes? I've had a few problems keeping resin from leaking through masking/packaging tape, especially around radiuses.

BTW, did you know somebody screwed with the pics in your 270g sump thread. Some of the pictures are quite disturbing. Should be deleted or something.
 
coolkeith said:
I'm drilling holes for bulkheads after I confirm that the tank holds water without leaks. That way I can eliminate one possibility of what is leaking.
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sashimimaster said:
I always like to drill holes prior to water proofing. So that I can coat the edges of the holes too. If any water gets in there and expands the wood you will spring a leak around your bulkheads.
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The more I think about it, the more I am thinking it doesn't really matter which way you do it...as long as you waterproof the inside of where the bulkhead is you should be fine no? I understand that if the bulkhead leaks and its not sealed then your tank is screwed, and I also get that it could be another leak point for the initial fill but I think it could be done either way no? If it's leaking from the bulkhead you will know it's not coming from the corners of the tank or the windows..

I think it would be smarter to drill before because then you don't have to use the epoxy/liquid rubber that is just gonna be drilled out of the tank..save you a little bit of time you would spend coating that area too..
 
Big Fish Freak said:
The more I think about it, the more I am thinking it doesn't really matter which way you do it...as long as you waterproof the inside of where the bulkhead is you should be fine no? I understand that if the bulkhead leaks and its not sealed then your tank is screwed, and I also get that it could be another leak point for the initial fill but I think it could be done either way no? If it's leaking from the bulkhead you will know it's not coming from the corners of the tank or the windows..

I think it would be smarter to drill before because then you don't have to use the epoxy/liquid rubber that is just gonna be drilled out of the tank..save you a little bit of time you would spend coating that area too..
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Good points about drilling before or after. Waterproofing the inside of the holes should be a given either way. My ship has already sailed too. It's just wasn't in the plans. I still haven't designed my filtration system yet , so I don't exactly know where I'll be drilling and what size bulkheads I'll be using. That will be one of my Winter projects. I need proof of concept 1st with this modular design. I didn't want to get too far ahead of myself.
 
coolkeith said:
Good points about drilling before or after. Waterproofing the inside of the holes should be a given either way. My ship has already sailed too. It's just wasn't in the plans. I still haven't designed my filtration system yet , so I don't exactly know where I'll be drilling and what size bulkheads I'll be using. That will be one of my Winter projects. I need proof of concept 1st with this modular design. I didn't want to get too far ahead of myself.
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Have you seen a bean animal overflow? It's basically a full siphon with 2 backup safeties..you can get a lot of surface skimming done and turn over lots of gph with the full siphon..I use one on the frag tank I have in the shop and I will be putting one on this tank I am building..and any other tank I build..they are efficient, silent, and fail safe..all things I love about tank filtration!
 
Big Fish Freak said:
Have you seen a bean animal overflow? It's basically a full siphon with 2 backup safeties..you can get a lot of surface skimming done and turn over lots of gph with the full siphon..I use one on the frag tank I have in the shop and I will be putting one on this tank I am building..and any other tank I build..they are efficient, silent, and fail safe..all things I love about tank filtration!
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Oh yeah, BeanAnimal has a wonderful overflow design. Gonna have to go with something like that.
 
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