520 gallon plywood tank

[Leebtattoos]

Looking really nice dude. Yea the top/ braces are the last thing I’m still tinkering with on how i wanna do it. I have glass lids from my 300 gallon I’m gonna try and use in there I think and save some money too. Also did sand between pond armor coatings and what grit ? 60.

Yeah I think I'm going to use that clear corrugated roofing for my lids. But not sure yet.

And yes I sanded with 60 grit every coat. Vaccumed and wiped down. It says after the first coat you just have to wait until "its tacky but doesn't come up on finger", but I had to get in to the tank to get good application so I waited the full 24hrs and sanded between layers. I used a total of 3 kits. 180sq/ft worth. I'd rather spend now then mop
Later.

 

[Freshwater4Life]

For sure always easier to just do it right the first time. Awesome thanks for conformation, that’s what I thought but I just watched the video and wanted to make sure. Only other issue I have is I got fiberglass cloth and they say mat. I’ve talked to a few different people and over half say cloth is stronger or that there is no real difference

 

[Leebtattoos]

For sure always easier to just do it right the first time. Awesome thanks for conformation, that’s what I thought but I just watched the video and wanted to make sure. Only other issue I have is I got fiberglass cloth and they say mat. I’ve talked to a few different people and over half say cloth is stronger or that there is no real difference

I've seen it both ways on videos too. DIY king does it with clothe but does mention he used more epoxy to me safe that it soaks up. Honestly, I used mat and I hated it haha It seems plenty strong, but the hairs pull up so easy.

 

[Freshwater4Life]

Haha word. Yea I also heard cloth is a lot easier. I think I’ll stick with the cloth I have. I’m using west Marine epoxy too instead of the pond armour. Than just sand over and add the pond armor coats

 

[Leebtattoos]

Still haven't installed the glass. But that is happening this weekend. Built (minus a few boards) the frame of the partial wall that's going around the tank to seperate the closet. It doesn't go to the ceiling on design. I get a lot of filtered light in the room so I'll put some house plants on the top of the 3/4 wall. Ivy or similar. Nothing that will get in the tank.

 

[Leebtattoos]

Well that sucked. One of my sawhorses legs broke while we were installing glass. The plywood and pond armor made it out alive, glass didn't. Luckily I bought a cheap tank so I still have another piece of glass to try this again. This time I'm just using the stand. So with a little luck, we won't die and I'll have the glass installed tomorrow.

 

[Freshwater4Life]

Well that sucked. One of my sawhorses legs broke while we were installing glass. The plywood and pond armor made it out alive, glass didn't. Luckily I bought a cheap tank so I still have another piece of glass to try this again. This time I'm just using the stand. So with a little luck, we won't die and I'll have the glass installed tomorrow.

Aww man it’s alwyas something lol. When something doesn’t go wrong is when I really worry.

 

[NathanKS]

Ouch, Sorry to hear that but nice to know it wont delay you too much.

You could always use pothos on that 3/4 wall if you want.

 

[Leebtattoos]

Ouch, Sorry to hear that but nice to know it wont delay you too much.

You could always use pothos on that 3/4 wall if you want.

Yeah it was a bummer. 5 years ago I would have flipped out. I flipped out in my head, but relaxed quickly haha. Life's good. That's why I tried to find a donor tank vs a brand new sheet. I wanted back up plans. Of course it would have been great to just have an extra large sheet of glass, but it's just spilled milk now.

I just finished prepping the new/next sheet of glass. Will retry and update mañana.

 

[Itsadeepbluesea]

Well that sucked. One of my sawhorses legs broke while we were installing glass. The plywood and pond armor made it out alive, glass didn't. Luckily I bought a cheap tank so I still have another piece of glass to try this again. This time I'm just using the stand. So with a little luck, we won't die and I'll have the glass installed tomorrow.

Sorry to hear that happen. I'm glad your not sweating it, I would have been cussing up a storm.