Another DIY Plywood Build 400 gallon - Mostly Pics =)
- Thread starter Arkangel77
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Update - This Tank has bin a complete FAIL... The Structure is fine but the epoxy keeps cracking . I have done a few repairs to the top where the lids are over the last few years but recently the epoxy started cracking and separating inside the tank. NOT in the corners but around the windows and even a crack in the middle of the back. I can only assume the MAX ACR is just Junk!!!! Might have had better results with pond Armour but who knows. I fallowed every instruction and even did more coats than they said was required. In retrospect maybe if I had fiber-glassed the entire inside 1st? I still don't think this Max Epoxy would hold up. if you do a plywood build. DONT use Max ACR IMO
Sorry to hear tank failed. I've read many have used ACR and have luck. That said I can't help but believe that you wouldn't have had this issue if you glassed the entire thing. That said also straight epoxy to my knowledge isn't entirely waterproof either. Maybe that led to this.
What's the plan with the tank?
What's the plan with the tank?
I can't speak for all epoxies, but I've made a number of tanks using Pratt & Lambert Palguard (back in the 70's and early 80's), Pond Shield in more recent years, and my last build used Interseal. These epoxies are definitely waterproof. Many of my earlier Palguard tanks were in service well into their second decade of life.
I have read that fiberglass alone isn't entirely waterproof but can't say from experience; never used the stuff myself. I've never built a tank deeper than 24 inches, and simple one-layer plywood construction, glued and screwed together without any exterior bracing, front glass siliconed in place has been completely adequate. I might start adding bracing/reinforcement if I make a deeper tank...but I'm completely happy with the construction methods I have used so far on 24-inch-deep tanks up to 8 feet in length.
I have read that fiberglass alone isn't entirely waterproof but can't say from experience; never used the stuff myself. I've never built a tank deeper than 24 inches, and simple one-layer plywood construction, glued and screwed together without any exterior bracing, front glass siliconed in place has been completely adequate. I might start adding bracing/reinforcement if I make a deeper tank...but I'm completely happy with the construction methods I have used so far on 24-inch-deep tanks up to 8 feet in length.
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Had I known that Fiberglass was required over the entire Interior I would have looked into doing that. I fallowed the Instructions from the manufacturer of the Epoxy! I did Extensive research before I even bought the 1st sheet of Plywood! I regret not Using pond shield now as that was the other coating I was considering. I planned on this being my Last aquarium and I invested an insane amount of work into this Build. Look threw my pictures on page 1 & 2 and you can get an Idea of what I went threw to build it. I attached some pictures of some of the issues I found Sunday. I brush down the Inside regularly so these splits all happened recently! As for as what I plan to do with it, It will be for sale very soon although I have no Idea what I can hope to get for it.
PS - I snapped that chunk off the 2nd pic when I found it separating
PS - I snapped that chunk off the 2nd pic when I found it separating
I understand the frustration. I experienced similar frustration when my panel leaked .
That said I do think it's salvageable. What is your plan??
My thought would be to pull out what looks to be a 3D background and secure concrete board to the the interior with screws and plenty of construction adhesive. Address the seams and then put pond shield over top. Or interseal which worked well for me and do believe it works on concrete.
Instead of concrete board could probably use thin plywood also.
That said I do think it's salvageable. What is your plan??
My thought would be to pull out what looks to be a 3D background and secure concrete board to the the interior with screws and plenty of construction adhesive. Address the seams and then put pond shield over top. Or interseal which worked well for me and do believe it works on concrete.
Instead of concrete board could probably use thin plywood also.
I can strip the interior coating and reseal everything with pond Shield. That parts easy! My Only question is How do you seal anything to the Glass? The Glass is what makes it not possible. Or at least I have No Idea how to seal anything to the glass. I would rather fix than replace it but don't know how
The glass seal is always the trickiest part of any build, at least for me. I think @Dovii_kid has the right idea. Completely re-line the tank with solid sheets of something, then re-apply a couple sealing coats of Pond Shield or similar epoxy.
You'd need to cut the glass off first, then re-attach it to the new interior with silicone.
I don't think a simple application of any epoxy over top of what you now have is a good idea. The ACR, for whatever reason, isn't adhering properly to the wood; why apply a good epoxy seal to an unstable base layer? You also likely have silicone on seams, etc to which new epoxy won't bond. I would definitely try to sand off any suspicious areas and then glue/screw a new interior before sealing.
This tank is way too nice to give up on. I hope you overcome this issue. Good luck!
You'd need to cut the glass off first, then re-attach it to the new interior with silicone.
I don't think a simple application of any epoxy over top of what you now have is a good idea. The ACR, for whatever reason, isn't adhering properly to the wood; why apply a good epoxy seal to an unstable base layer? You also likely have silicone on seams, etc to which new epoxy won't bond. I would definitely try to sand off any suspicious areas and then glue/screw a new interior before sealing.
This tank is way too nice to give up on. I hope you overcome this issue. Good luck!
That's the Problem. I don't see any way to remove the glass short of cutting it out with a saw, which would destroy the tank. Or braking it to get it out. The Glass removal is 100% the issue.
As for the epoxy, I can remove the old stuff easy enough before I re apply a new coating. Well not easy, but way easier than removing the glass.
ALSO, The tank was built in stages as the coating was applied. There is no way to remove the glass without taking the top off. To take the top off would destroy the tank. Way to many screws and way too much Glue was used.
ONLY repair that might seem realistic is to strip the inside and re-coat with something that would bond equally to the glass and wood all the same. I dont think any such product exists???
