160 plwood question

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HFRCampbell

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 6, 2008
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hey im building a 160 gallon plywood tank and i have a few questions.

would this epoxy work? http://uscomposites.com/kk121.html

if not any epoxy, im looking for the cheapest possible or even better a alternative? i was thinking of using like a resin or epoxy like paint and doing a layer of that then using it to attacth a pool liner to the plywood would this work?

Thats really all for now. thanks
 
HFRCampbell;2505259; said:

I have used Kleer Koat on plywood before but not for a fish tank. My initial thought is that it goes on so thick that it will end up being very expensive. It is also not good for wetting out fiberglass cloth, roving, mat, etc. in case you wanted to include a layer of that.

There are ways to apply Kleer Koat thinner but it requires the resin and work surface to be heated which causes it to set up very quickly. It is not something I would recommend for ones first attempt.

I have only had to call US Composites technical service department once and got a very helpful and knowledgeable representative. I would give them a call and see what they recommend.

My guess is that they will recommend their thin resin system or maybe even the West Systems product they also carry, probably with the 207 hardener.

Let us know what you find out. I like working with Kleer Koat but suspect there are better choices for a plywood tank.
 
when you cut each piece of plywood cut an equal piece of pond liner and then secure that to the plywood. use something you know sticks well to both then put another piece of plywood ontop with some weight to get a a really good connection, then when you put the tank together all you need to do is use a silicone like substabce that will bind pond liner well, probably silicone, for the corners and windows.
 
okay, so a pond linner will work and be way cheaper. Im thinking just for extra insurance to do two or three layers of pond linner
 
Rallysman is using rubber roofing on his indoor tank. It is the same as pond liner except for a powder coating. Just rinse it off and it is the same thing. Plus, it is a lot cheaper.
 
oh okay, ill look that up, this is gonna be way better, i knew epoxy was going to be expensive, but i didn't know how many gallons i would need. So ill probably do like two layers of the roofing material and call it good.
 
Why two, wouldn't one be enough? Also, what is recommended to 'glue' the pond liner to the plywood?
 
Gator;2506527; said:
There are 2 types of Epoxy, marine grade and I forgot the name of the other but something is telling me thats not the 2 part epoxy that can be used on anything that will be submerged in water. I'd call first and ask.

Theres one type of epoxy the type that you have to mix two agents, anything else is boring glue. I hate to do this but epoxy means to mix two parts together. Epoxy is a polyepoxide or more commonly known as a thermosetting epoxide polymer that cures (polymerizes and crosslinks) when mixed with a catalyzing agent or hardener. Any epoxy can be used underwater but has to be cured before being submerged GL
 
i was told epoxy is brittle and chips easily. using a pond liner is a good idea. fiber glass is another alternative. some of the epoxy paints are sold as pool coatings still i'd go w/ the 2part if you are going to paint the plywood.
 
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