first time plywood 125g uk, need advice

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clayton1985

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 11, 2011
292
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uk
hi guys this is my first post on mkf

any iv been looking at buy a larger tank for some time when i came across an article on plywood tanks on this site, everything kind of made sense to make one as i work in the building trade an it would cost me next to nothing as i work with these materials everyday. the dimensions of the tank are 48x30x26 and the plywood frame is already constructed but here is where i need some help. i work with grp (fibreglass) for roofing, so after i fibreglass the tank i understand i need to seal the fibreglass which usually do on a roof with a top coat (gel coat) but i presume this would be toxic. from what iv read i need to use an epoxy paint or resin but which ones are available in the uk. if anyone could let me know what they have used or any ideas would be great. dont really want to go shipping things over if i dont have to as id like to get most of it done as soon as i can...thanks in advance
 
hi mate,
im in pretty much the same position, ive spent 2 days trawling through the ply builds sticky at the top of the page and its seems liquid rubber is the way to go. ive found something in B&Q that seems to be the same stuff(different name) called Isoflex professional.
if anyone from the uk has used this let me know...
Just check out the sticky as the guys have done some great threads explaining everything in detail.
id post a link to it but dont know how :)
 
ok, well just to keep you guys informed, i got in touch with the company who makes the roofing grp that i use and the rep told me that the top coat is also marine grade and is also used for alot of koi ponds. once the top coat is added i just have to let it cure for 2 weeks to make sure all the styrene is burnt off, give it a wash with mild detergeant and im ready to go, il probably fill it with water and leave it for a week just to make sure aswell. so evereything has been sanded and im just waiting for the fillets inside to dry and the fibreglass will be going on in about 2 hours. i will try an post a couple of pics later. cheers for the reply rusty
 
alright bud, is the roofing stuff you use cheaper than that isoflex rubber( its sold for roof cover mostly)? it works out about £40 a gallon, and from what i can gather from the other builds i need 2 gallon.
post some pics if you can, be good to see how your tank progresses as im gonna start mine at the end of the month(payday).
 
They should sell stuff like the us guys use at a good ltd,I'm pretty sure I've seen it for sale at a maidenhead aquatics store.
Hth

Steve
 
well the fibreglassing is done and the first gel coat is also on. i will get a pic on tommorrow as im gonna have to do it with my webcam as im having problems with the digi cam. rusty its probaly cheaper to use that isoflex as the tubs of gel coat is sold in 20 kilo tubs at about £170 plus catalyst @ £20. thanks for the heads up SPWD il keep an eye out if im down that way but so far its looking pretty good.
 
well i promised a few pics of the tank...the inside and out are sealed but the outside still needs sanding down to give it that really smooth look...sorry about the picture quality its off the computers webcam

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its now filled and as of 4 hours in there is still no leaks (fingers crossed) will post pics as soon as i can, my temperamental camera is playing up again
 
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