am hoping to get some help with my current DIY project. I am not construction a fish tank, but my project does need to be water tight, so I figured you guys might be able to help. I read on your forums about several plywood fish tanks, and the idea behind those designs is very similiar to my present need.
So, I am building something new this spring. We went to Erie PA with my son recently and he had a blast playing with something that I refer to as a water table. The thing was made by Tom Egan and can be found at this web site to give you an idea of what I am contruction.
http://www.tomegan.net/
Anyway, I did up some plans, and have attached to this email a picture of the table. Here is the issue, I need to make this thing waterproof. Its constructed of 3/8 plywood. In the picture, you can see that ther is a top level (which I made transparent), and this is where the water runs. When it gets to the bottom of the table, it falls through a drain into the bottom level which is where it collects to recirculate back up to the top holding area.
The pit at the bottow where the water is stored and then recirculated back up measures 1'6" x 2'8" x 10" deep. The joints in this "pit" will have to hold the greatest about of pressure.
Thanks so much!
So I started construction today. I got all of the wood frame done and put in most of the plywood. This is where the questions begin. I noticed that in spite of meticulous measuring, there are a few places where the plywood edges meet where I can see a tiny crack of light coming through. The largest gap can't be more than 1/16 of an inch (probably less) but the edges are not as tight as I would have liked. I can try and recut the pieces and see if I can get them closer, but I think I will just end up driving myself crazy. If I use West System to seal the tank, with glass cloth along all the seems, will that be enough to "seal" that small gap? Should I seal it now, and if so, with what, before I epoxy and glass cloth the tank? Thanks.
So, I am building something new this spring. We went to Erie PA with my son recently and he had a blast playing with something that I refer to as a water table. The thing was made by Tom Egan and can be found at this web site to give you an idea of what I am contruction.
http://www.tomegan.net/
Anyway, I did up some plans, and have attached to this email a picture of the table. Here is the issue, I need to make this thing waterproof. Its constructed of 3/8 plywood. In the picture, you can see that ther is a top level (which I made transparent), and this is where the water runs. When it gets to the bottom of the table, it falls through a drain into the bottom level which is where it collects to recirculate back up to the top holding area.
The pit at the bottow where the water is stored and then recirculated back up measures 1'6" x 2'8" x 10" deep. The joints in this "pit" will have to hold the greatest about of pressure.
Thanks so much!
So I started construction today. I got all of the wood frame done and put in most of the plywood. This is where the questions begin. I noticed that in spite of meticulous measuring, there are a few places where the plywood edges meet where I can see a tiny crack of light coming through. The largest gap can't be more than 1/16 of an inch (probably less) but the edges are not as tight as I would have liked. I can try and recut the pieces and see if I can get them closer, but I think I will just end up driving myself crazy. If I use West System to seal the tank, with glass cloth along all the seems, will that be enough to "seal" that small gap? Should I seal it now, and if so, with what, before I epoxy and glass cloth the tank? Thanks.
