Best Rubber Coating

[earthstudent]

My concern is that if there is some stretch will it allow the tank sides to bow. It probably won't leak but if the walls are not reinforced and only made with plywood, wetsuit & invisilink will it show a slight bow?

We need some guinea pigs to try out this system on a tank.

The waterproofing liner, which ever you choose (epoxy, liquid rubber, fiberglass) has nothing to do with the structural soundness of the tank. If you are worried about bowing than you need to build the tank better. Bowing has nothing to do with the waterproofing liner.

 

[earthstudent]

Agreed. This product sounds great but, so far, remains untested for plywood aquarium applications. Someone doing a build needs to buy some and run some tests (and post the results ). I'm especially curious about the supposed silicone compatibility since that's an issue with all the other rubber products.

Do you know if this turns brown after continued submergence (like Pond Coat/Zavlar) or does it stay black permanently?

The silicone compatibility has been tested. Silicone adheres very well and stays that way even in prolonged underwater conditions.

I do agree that it is untested as far as it actually being used on a plywood tank. But all the elements that you need a liquid rubber waterproofing liner to need is there.
In my mind, the liquid rubber that people have been using shows this stuff will work great in a plywood tank as Wetsuit is basically a new and improved liquid rubber that has only new benefits and no drawbacks. I think Wetsuit is going to work just like the liquid rubber everyone uses now, just better and last longer. I have no doubts.

It does not change color after years of continued submergence. This has been shown in Koi ponds.

 

[sashimimaster]

The waterproofing liner, which ever you choose (epoxy, liquid rubber, fiberglass) has nothing to do with the structural soundness of the tank. If you are worried about bowing than you need to build the tank better. Bowing has nothing to do with the waterproofing liner.

Ok, I think that answers my question. So for strength and rigidity use fiberglass, epoxy, etc. But for waterproofing Wetsuit will do the job.

 

[earthstudent]

Ok, I think that answers my question. So for strength and rigidity use fiberglass, epoxy, etc. But for waterproofing Wetsuit will do the job.

I am not sure you understand. Fiberglass and Epoxy will add some MINOR secondary strength to your tank, but they are not to be used for added strength but as a waterproofing agent only, the same way liquid rubber and Wetsuit would be applied. Let me break it down for you to give you a more clear idea.

* When building a large plywood tank. You build a frame of wood. This is usually 2x4's depending on the size of the tank. This frame is your structure, it is your strength and rigidity. This wood frame is what is going to take all the stress from all the water weight. If your tank is going to bow or flex it is primarily based on this frame structure. If you don't want bowing or flexing of the side walls, than you need to build the wood frame stronger.
* After the frame is built you line the inside with plywood. The plywood will add a bit more strength and also serve as a smooth, flat surface to apply the waterproofing agent.
* The waterproofing agent (Wetsuit, liquid rubber, epoxy, fiberglass, pond liner) is just a water barrier. The wood frame holds the weight of the water and the water proofing agent creates a barrier so the water never touches the wood. That is all the waterproofing agent does, acts as a barrier so the water stays in the tank. It does not add any significant structural support no matter if you use epoxy or fiberglass.

Epoxy and fiberglass will add a very small amount of strength but it is an insignificant amount in the thickness used in this application. If the tank flexes because it is not build strong enough and you used epoxy or fiberglass you can get cracks. This is because the amount weight and forces involved in a large plywood tank holding hundreds or thousands of pounds of water is way to much for the tiny amount of added strength epoxy or fiberglass offers in the thickness used in a plywood tank application.

I am a big fan of epoxy and fiberglass. I have used them for several applications. If a tank is well build and you use an epoxy waterproofing agent correctly, it will be a tough tank that will last a long time. The draw back is the fumes and dangers of working with nasty chemicals. One other draw back with using epoxy or fiberglass is, if you drop something heavy in the tank you could get a crack where as Wetsuit will take that kind of abuse better, not to say if you drop a large rock in a tank with Wetsuit as the waterproofing agent you may not end up with a leak. I am just saying with my personal experience with using each one, Wetsuit stands the best chance against such abuse. Wetsuit is actually being tested for some military applications due to its impact resistance.

 

[sashimimaster]

I have to disagree. Fiberglass and epoxy will add significant amount of strength and rigidity. If they can make boats, airplanes and cars out of fiberglass where there is constant dynamic loads. I'm pretty sure it can handle a static distributed load such as a tank.

 

[earthstudent]

I completely agree that epoxy and fiberglass when used for that purpose can be very strong. My point is that the way people use it to waterproof a plywood tank is not going to add any significant strength. One coat of epoxy and fabric is not going to get you much strength. A boat does not have one layer of fiberglass. The fiberglass may be inches think in that case. Put a quarter or half inch of built up epoxy and cloth and you will have a very strong tank indeed.

 

[Creek_stomper]

Are there any retailers that carry this product, or is it only distributed by Neptune? I'm very interested, but I'd love to pick it up without shipping if possible. The fact that I can get it by the gallon is awesome, and cost effective for smaller builds.

 

[earthstudent]

It is only distributed by Neptune. Were are you in IL? One of Neptune's locations is in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Which is about an hour from the border of Illinois. You could pick it up there, if you want to drive there. Not sure how far you are from there and if the gas or shipping cost would be cheaper.

 

[earthstudent]

Just wanted to give a couple updates on the Wetsuit product.

I have had a chance to play with this stuff and see some samples that have been submerged under water for months (my own for the silicone test and others) and a couple that have been submerged for years. I did notice that, like the other liquid rubber product that has been used for plywood tanks, Wetsuit does change to a brownish (very dark) color and is not completely black after being submerged for long periods. It does not seam to effect its performance at all as there have been koi ponds that have been setup for years with no problems at all.

The big update here is that the distributor is funding a tank build that I am going to be building. Like I have mentioned, I have a good relationship with the owner and he thinks this product will work great for plywood tanks. He asked "why are people so skeptical"? I said that no one wants to be the guinea pig. He asked me if I could build a tank if he paid for it and I said, "hell yeah"!! I said, "were are you going to put it". He said, "well, you can just have it and use it for your self (he knows I am into fish), you can be the guinea pig so people can see how well it will work". I unfortunately, do not have space for a huge tank at my house (reason I am not building one myself in the first place as I am planning a 2000g) so I am only doing a 270g for this project. It should be a good size for a test tank. Not sure what I am going to put in it yet but it may start off my tilapia project I am planning.

I will be doing a thread about the build once I get rolling on it. I went today and got most everything I needed to get going and placed the orders for all the stuff I had to buy online. I am pretty exited to get a free tank. I hope you all follow along with the build.

 

[RODinCALIFORNIA]

its a good business move on the companys part since all the costs can be written off on taxes and it will show if it is a viable aquarium water proofing material or not. I'm surprised they havent done this sooner unless they werent planning on advertising it as a aquarium product.