A new tank build
- Thread starter tthanatoss
- Start date
Finally I got to a point where I could install the bottom glass. I started off this morining by making the molding to back the plywood insert I fibreglassed in yesterday. Then I sanded the floor of the aquarium and using marine 5200 laid I nice thick bead all the way around the perimeter of the tank. Then after washing the glass with glass cleaner I laid it in the bottom of the tank. I've been saving empty milk jugs for a while so I filled them with water and am using them to weigh the glass down on the caulking. The cardboard and paper in the pic is to protect the glass as I have to work over it now to build the top brace which I've decided to use a 3/4 sheet of ply for so I can cut out the exact shape openings I want for access, lighting, etc. Using the ply is a bit of a "surrender" for me because in the beginning I wanted the challenge of using only 2x4's for this build. But in this case I really want to have a lip around the top of the tank to form a spill ledge and I can't do that with 2x4's as they are too thick.
Like most of the things about this build I set out to do something and in the end I do something different. I built the top brace this afternoon. Originally I had intended a basically solid top with holes where I could put lighting, hatches for access, etc. but after laying it all out with a healthy border all the way around I would have ended up with pretty small access points to the tank. So what I did was lay out a 4 inch border all of the way around the perimeter, which happens to be the width of my skill saw, and cut the entire middle out. Next I'll laminate it in with a couple layers of matting. The light canopy will be seperate now.
I've been pretty excited about this since my brother first gave me that glass table top and yes it's coming along very nicely. I've been trying not to get too excited and start rushing things.
I started laminating in the top edge this morning. When I first started working with fibreglass I used to have all kinds of problems but after I was shown how to do it properly it really isn't all that hard.
It's important that you first cut all your pieces to size before you start and once you've mixed your resin you don't try to impregnate the matting on the piece you are laminating. What you do is use a scrap piece od plywood and you use a paintbrush to soak the matting thoroughly. You dab the paintbrush, not brush it as that pulls all the strands up and makes a mess. Don't be stingy with the resin the more you use the easier it is. You can put all your layers one on top of the other like this. Then you go and brush a layer of resin on the piece where the matting is going to go. Then just take the soaked matting and lay it on the piece. Use a paint brush and dab it to work out any air bubbles. You can use a paint roller but it can again pull up the strands. Don't try to do to large of an area at once, smaller pieces are easier to work with. If you end up with a few extra seams it doesn't matter you just grind them flat and paint over them. Lastly, there are many different kinds of matting out there. Get the right kind. That stuff at the autobody store is a finishing mat, hard to get airbubbles out of. Try to use "layering" or "building" type matting it's messier but it's alot more flexible and goes around corners alot easier.
For those who know this already I apoligize for the lesson but I know I wasted time and money the first time I tried working with this stuff.
It's important that you first cut all your pieces to size before you start and once you've mixed your resin you don't try to impregnate the matting on the piece you are laminating. What you do is use a scrap piece od plywood and you use a paintbrush to soak the matting thoroughly. You dab the paintbrush, not brush it as that pulls all the strands up and makes a mess. Don't be stingy with the resin the more you use the easier it is. You can put all your layers one on top of the other like this. Then you go and brush a layer of resin on the piece where the matting is going to go. Then just take the soaked matting and lay it on the piece. Use a paint brush and dab it to work out any air bubbles. You can use a paint roller but it can again pull up the strands. Don't try to do to large of an area at once, smaller pieces are easier to work with. If you end up with a few extra seams it doesn't matter you just grind them flat and paint over them. Lastly, there are many different kinds of matting out there. Get the right kind. That stuff at the autobody store is a finishing mat, hard to get airbubbles out of. Try to use "layering" or "building" type matting it's messier but it's alot more flexible and goes around corners alot easier.
For those who know this already I apoligize for the lesson but I know I wasted time and money the first time I tried working with this stuff.
Hey tthanatoss, your build is coming along great, it looks like yours will be ready before mine, you are making great progress. It's going to look great!!
Found a little time this morning and did a little last minute prep on the inside of the tank and finally got the finished coat of epoxy paint on.
