I'm building a tank too!! 500+ Gal ply

[notanatheist]

The only big build like that i've seen with no external bracing would be greenterra's he did his inside and out with fiber glass and it seems to be holding fine.http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=319933

Also from what i've read that fiber glassing the out side gives you much more support and helps stop bowing. which make sense to me because when i think about it the tank is trying to bow outwards and if the out side is covered in resin and fiber glass then it would have to stretch it to bow. if that makes sense

Yeah, I sort of tried to model mine after greenterra's 800. I'll postpone glassing the outside until the first fill. If all looks well after a few days I'll go with it as is. Any bowing and I'll either glass it or find another way to brace it. Strap a frame of some sort to the back and sides. I've gone through 2 gallons (if the large cans are gallons) of fiberglass epoxy already so wanted to avoid buying another can

 

[notanatheist]

Incoming images...

Sanded...

The good stuff...

First coat....

Playing with the idea of painting the outside blue. Will wait until after first leak test to decide. Worst case scenario, something leaks and I get a bucket of Ames then the outside will be red. Otherwise, blue on black.

 

[smpage]

great update!

 

[sashimimaster]

How were the fumes of the Sweetwater? Could you have done it inside?

 

[valderi123]

nice build

 

[notanatheist]

How were the fumes of the Sweetwater? Could you have done it inside?

Just about. It wasn't half as bad as the fiberglass resin and the smell dissipates quickly. I wouldn't recommend it, maybe in a garage, but it could be done if you were willing to turn a fan on and leave for a bit. It was also an 80 degree day so that may have helped.

Off for the second coat!

 

[mike_sema]

looking good

 

[notanatheist]

Ammonia washed today. Sealed a few small areas with a liquid rubber product called "Through the Roof". Sure as heck hope it's fish safe. Guy at the store said he used it to fix a fountain.

FWIW, calling anybody in this town and asking for liquid rubber gets you nowhere! In the roofing section of all the hardware stores though there are plenty of choice. Just not sure how to know what is fish safe. Are water based elastomers a safe bet?

Oh, acrylic is local and affordable. $100 less than Tap for 3/4" cell so I hope to order this coming week!!

 

[BadOleRoss]

Go back to the dealer and ask for an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) sheet on the product. That should answer some of your questions. If you need LR, get in touch with Pete, I believe he a still a distributer.

 

[notanatheist]

Several gallons of water to test the seams...



And into the garage and on the pool table for now...

And finally a wide view showing the little 125 gallon tank and another 65 beside it that'll become a filter: