My impression so far on best plywood tank setup

[sashimimaster]

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.

Well that's another contradiction. Sounds like one answer was from a Lawyer and another was from an engineer.

So what I'm concluding from this is use it at your own risk.

 

[sashimimaster]

So to sum it up.

Pond Armor & Sweet Water are epoxies. PA doesn't have fumes but Sweet water does. Since they're epoxies you can embed fiberglass sheets with them for added strength. They dry hard and may have some sealing issues if the substrate flexes.

Pond Coat and Blue Max are liquid rubber type coatings. They are more flexible and pliable after curing but lack any type of structural strength. So the substrate needs to be strong enough on their own. Since they are EPDM rubber they are more flexible and can maintain the seal even when small cracks and/or shifts in the substrate occur.

So after reading up on all these choices when I build my tank I think I will use a combination of the two types. Pond Armor first and embed fiberglass in the seams and corners. Then coat over that with some Blue Max for extra sealing in case of cracks or splits as it is less expensive and I like the blue color. All the while avoiding stinking up the house with any type of fumes. Maybe a little more costly but taking advantage of the strengths and weaknesses of both.

 

[john73738]

So to sum it up.

Pond Armor & Sweet Water are epoxies. PA doesn't have fumes but Sweet water does. Since they're epoxies you can embed fiberglass sheets with them for added strength. They dry hard and may have some sealing issues if the substrate flexes.

Pond Coat and Blue Max are liquid rubber type coatings. They are more flexible and pliable after curing but lack any type of structural strength. So the substrate needs to be strong enough on their own. Since they are EPDM rubber they are more flexible and can maintain the seal even when small cracks and/or shifts in the substrate occur.

So after reading up on all these choices when I build my tank I think I will use a combination of the two types. Pond Armor first and embed fiberglass in the seams and corners. Then coat over that with some Blue Max for extra sealing in case of cracks or splits as it is less expensive and I like the blue color. All the while avoiding stinking up the house with any type of fumes. Maybe a little more costly but taking advantage of the strengths and weaknesses of both.

Just a little correction. Sweetwater I have found is quite flexable. The liquid rubber can stretch to 700% and return to it's original shape. First I have to say there should be some correction in woodworking skill if you need that much flex. But seriously the Sweetwater is a one stop shop. plenty flexable for the application as well as many colors to choose from. I would be leary of using multiple products. Plus the SW is silicone friendly.

Good luck

 

[john73738]

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?

Check the internet. There are ways to pigment West Systems. Tho like a broken record I am gonna say Sweetwater again. Love It!!!

 

[wheatgerm]

i like liquid rubber. its easy to apply you don't have to mix anything or work fast and if you need to take a sudden break all you do is put the lid on haha. i put matting on all my joints of my tank and painted the rubber into it. i don't know how much strength it would give it but im sure it helped. plus i have talked to them and they are coming out with a new rubber for pools you don't have to put it on near as thick and it has a type of top coat so you can choose whatever color you want instead of the chocolate brown once it gets submerged. i asked if you will be able to just buy the top coat and paint it over the older product zavlar but still waiting for an answer for that. everyone has their own opinions the bottom line is they all have downfalls and ways around the downfalls and they all work great if done right

 

[sashimimaster]

Just a little correction. Sweetwater I have found is quite flexable. The liquid rubber can stretch to 700% and return to it's original shape. First I have to say there should be some correction in woodworking skill if you need that much flex. But seriously the Sweetwater is a one stop shop. plenty flexable for the application as well as many colors to choose from. I would be leary of using multiple products. Plus the SW is silicone friendly.

Good luck

I'm sure it's a great product but I don't want to breath the fumes for a week inside the house. There's no way I can build the tank outside and move it in.

Maybe having multiple products isn't such a good idea so it looks like Pond Armor is the best solution for me.

 

[john73738]

i like liquid rubber. its easy to apply you don't have to mix anything or work fast and if you need to take a sudden break all you do is put the lid on haha. i put matting on all my joints of my tank and painted the rubber into it. i don't know how much strength it would give it but im sure it helped. plus i have talked to them and they are coming out with a new rubber for pools you don't have to put it on near as thick and it has a type of top coat so you can choose whatever color you want instead of the chocolate brown once it gets submerged. i asked if you will be able to just buy the top coat and paint it over the older product zavlar but still waiting for an answer for that. everyone has their own opinions the bottom line is they all have downfalls and ways around the downfalls and they all work great if done right

Sweetwater has a great, long work time (8-10 hours.) Yes you gotta mix it.

I'm sure it's a great product but I don't want to breath the fumes for a week inside the house. There's no way I can build the tank outside and move it in.

Maybe having multiple products isn't such a good idea so it looks like Pond Armor is the best solution for me.

No toxic fumes with SW, just a strong odor that goes away after a day or so.

Agree with above, all are great products and work well if applied right.

Not trying to force my opinions down anyones throat just want to inform and debunk any misconceptions.

 

[ronp327]

this was a good thread..i enjoyed reading this one.
everyone had a good point and did not bash the others views.
this is how you learn or choose the right product for your build.
GOOD JOB EVERYONE!

 

[scott_n06]

Thanks for starting this I was about to start one asking what to use to seal a ply tank since I am a noob with them.

It sounds like sweet water is winning the debate so far.

 

[pengu13]

Sweetwater was my first choice for a sealer but the 200$ hazmat shipping to Canada was to much, so unsure on that. Pond shield ( pond armor) is what i used after working with regular resin the pond shield was really hard to work with to get the recommended coverage, like they say try to paint with molasses. west system would be my choice i think if i did it again i didn't mind working with a epoxy, easy to add fiberglass and get it to wet right threw can add pigment to get a lot of colours for the smell mask up and no worries. pond shield did have almost no smell except for all the alcohol i used to thin it that got to be a bit much sometimes . i can't bad mouth any products because i only tried the one and there is many great builds on here with liquid rubber products