My impression so far on best plywood tank setup

[Oscarum monstruoso]

I would have to disagree and say that pond armor is a much better alternative than sweetwater. Seems thicker and stronger. Sure you could still add fiberglass, but no need to. And silicon is more or less to act like a rubber gasket for the glass/acrylic to the plywood/epoxy.

I was under the impression that pond armor doesnt bond to the silicone, but that sweet water does. That is why I picked it.

Silicone, well, most silicone does not bond well with acrylics. If you really want the simplest formula I'd switch out the acrylic and replace it with plate glass.

This I was not aware of. I thought plexiglass and silicone were a match. If you are correct, I agree with you.

 

[john73738]

I was under the impression that pond armor doesnt bond to the silicone, but that sweet water does. That is why I picked it.



This I was not aware of. I thought plexiglass and silicone were a match. If you are correct, I agree with you.

You may be confusing pond armor with pond coat. Pond armor is an epoxy pond coating, however pond coat is liquid rubber.

Silicone will bond to pond armor being that it is epoxy, however it will not bond to pond coat being liquid rubber.

 

[sashimimaster]

I emailed ames and they replied that the blue max is not recomended for this application.

That's interesting because they show a demonstration of BM holding water within a cinder block tank. So was that demo only for temp situations?

After reading some more on both SW and PA. I'm leaning towards Pond Armor. Sweetwater is very toxic and has to be applied with ventilation while Pond Armor is non toxic.

When I build my tank I have to do it indoors in the basement so I don't want to smell fumes for 2 weeks....

 

[sashimimaster]

I also read that you can embed fiberglass into the Pond Armor for extra strength. That's a bonus in my book!

 

[verruckt]

i'm all about the cheapest route, ive been looking @ everything. from marine epoxy, to fiberglass mat and resin, fiberglass board, pond armor, liquid rubber.....still up in the air for me. as far as glass and plexi tho, i personally would choose glass, mainly cost reasons, but the scratching and hazing that happens with plexi sometimes makes me not wanna fool with it. as for BM, not looked @ it. but altho they say its not intended or recommended for this type of application. herculiner (for truck beds) has said the same thing. except they kinda of contodicted (spelling) themselves. they first said they have used it for public aquarium applications. i beleive wheatgerm is the one who contacted them. its funny," oh yeah we use it for aquariums"-"ok well im building a plywood tank and want to use it for that"-"oh, well, we dont recommend that" all i can say to that is - WTF? the only reason i can think of is maybe it doesn't stick to wood that well, but im sure it does. these company's just dont wanna be responsible for a flood or expensive fish dying.

 

[verruckt]

contradicted**

 

[wtf]

I have my plywood tank framed in but am at a stand still currently for various reason. My plan was to use the West System with fiberglass first then put a coat of Pond Armor or Sweet Water or another epoxy pond liner. I am under the impression the West System would make the aquarium strong since West System seems much more rigid. Then use the pondliner to make it look good.

 

[BadOleRoss]

I have my plywood tank framed in but am at a stand still currently for various reason. My plan was to use the West System with fiberglass first then put a coat of Pond Armor or Sweet Water or another epoxy pond liner. I am under the impression the West System would make the aquarium strong since West System seems much more rigid. Then use the pondliner to make it look good.

Assuming your build is solid, you really only need to go one way or the other. Sweetwater applied correctly will give you a good seal. There is no reason to use a pond liner on top of that. Keep in mind that the more rigid that sealer the stronger your build needs to be. You dont want to risk a crack in the sealer becuase your tank flexed.

 

[kallmond]

From Ames.com/bluemax

What is Ames'® Blue Max®?
Ames'® Blue Max® is a special blend of adhesive, high strength elastomeric liquid rubber. It is a new, impenetrable, rubber technology for waterproofing in extreme wet situations such as flat roofs, below grade foundations, basement walls, cisterns, water troughs, catch basins, ponds and fountains.

I've never used blue max, but it looks to be pretty similar to liquid rubber. I just wish it came in different colors, although Blue Max says its "translucent blue", so maybe if the plywood was black under it it would at least be very dark blue.

 

[wtf]

I dont think the West System is so rigid it would crack. It has to have some flex, it used in boat/canoe building. Its main deficiency is it is clear and i was told you cant add pigment to it.

I think my build is strong, but is was built with the intent to use fiberglass. I have worked with fiberglass in the past and have become a believer in its strength.

So if i go the route of the West System is there a cheap and simple coating to put over top to black out the aquarium?