cant help much on the pond but the stand i can shed some light on. i built one similar and to b honest i overbuilt mine and urs is way overkill. i wouldnt even think of 6x6 unless i was dealing with well over 50,000lbs. a friend of mine did a project on the strength of my stand made all from 4x4 and determined 80,000 lbs would be about the max load on the stand... my 500g weighed less than 10% of that. that being said one 4x4 spaced about 2-3" will be more than enough if properly attached and supported. cant blame you for overbuilding, but thats WAY past overbuilt
Need some assistance with my design for a tank build.
- Thread starter Joe S
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Very interesting. To be honest I am not sure what to make of thick or thin resins or much of anything as I have no knowledge of epoxies. I suppose I should put some time into some research before I completely commit to any one type of sealant. I looked up Sweetwater and that does seem like a functional option. The odor really does not bother me as all of this will be created outside.
Considering Sweetwater is an epoxy paint is the method of securing a window the same as it would be with a normal epoxy resin?
I never considered that issue you mentioned with the land and water divider. That could pose a serious issue, which has lead me to this option. The water and land portions could be divided up into two separate parts. This would help to alleviate that issue. That said I have also thought of this. It is very possible that I have jumped into something a little bit beyond my current experience and skill set. I know that this will not be the last of my DIY ponds or tanks, but as a first go maybe I go with something simpler for a first go. I only mention this because using fiberglass and epoxy seems like a rather daunting task.
I have also been contemplating the use of all glass for the tank. However I have a feeling that ordering all of the pieces of glass would cost a significant amount more than the original build. All things to consider I suppose.
I also see Self Adhesive EPDM repair tape. Would it be possible to lay in the pond liner and splice the liner where the corners or folds are and then repair it with the tape? This would prevent the pockets. Or I even wonder if I could just layer in this tape making a seal to the wood itself. Rather than a loose liner it would be a perfect fit. Does anyone know about that?
Perfect Brich, I will revise my stand build then. Thank you!
Considering Sweetwater is an epoxy paint is the method of securing a window the same as it would be with a normal epoxy resin?
I never considered that issue you mentioned with the land and water divider. That could pose a serious issue, which has lead me to this option. The water and land portions could be divided up into two separate parts. This would help to alleviate that issue. That said I have also thought of this. It is very possible that I have jumped into something a little bit beyond my current experience and skill set. I know that this will not be the last of my DIY ponds or tanks, but as a first go maybe I go with something simpler for a first go. I only mention this because using fiberglass and epoxy seems like a rather daunting task.
I have also been contemplating the use of all glass for the tank. However I have a feeling that ordering all of the pieces of glass would cost a significant amount more than the original build. All things to consider I suppose.
I also see Self Adhesive EPDM repair tape. Would it be possible to lay in the pond liner and splice the liner where the corners or folds are and then repair it with the tape? This would prevent the pockets. Or I even wonder if I could just layer in this tape making a seal to the wood itself. Rather than a loose liner it would be a perfect fit. Does anyone know about that?
Perfect Brich, I will revise my stand build then. Thank you!
When Sweeter cures all that is left is epoxy as all of the solvents evaporate so attaching the window is just like epoxy. Sweetwater does have haz mat shipping charges and I'm guessing will end up costing a lot.
I think I mentioned the EPDM tape in a previous reply. People have used it to seal off the folds but I don't have any experience with this. I have never heard of overlapping it to seal a tank. Would be great it if would work. I just glanced at the price for the 6" tape online and at $2.60 per lineal foot that's VERY expensive.
This build is a bit more difficult, no doubt. But learning to work with fiberglass and epoxy or fiberglass and polyester is a valuable skill in this hobby.
And you might be right, for now just build a basic plywood pond and have the ramps and land area be completely separate. If you really want to keep it simple don't include a window for now. If the tank holds water long term a window could be added later.
The one things you do have going for you is water depth. The shallower the less likely to leak for a first project. And since Spotted Turtles don't do well with deep water it's not like you have temptation to build them the biggest, deepest tank you can.
I think I mentioned the EPDM tape in a previous reply. People have used it to seal off the folds but I don't have any experience with this. I have never heard of overlapping it to seal a tank. Would be great it if would work. I just glanced at the price for the 6" tape online and at $2.60 per lineal foot that's VERY expensive.
This build is a bit more difficult, no doubt. But learning to work with fiberglass and epoxy or fiberglass and polyester is a valuable skill in this hobby.
And you might be right, for now just build a basic plywood pond and have the ramps and land area be completely separate. If you really want to keep it simple don't include a window for now. If the tank holds water long term a window could be added later.
The one things you do have going for you is water depth. The shallower the less likely to leak for a first project. And since Spotted Turtles don't do well with deep water it's not like you have temptation to build them the biggest, deepest tank you can.
When Sweeter cures all that is left is epoxy as all of the solvents evaporate so attaching the window is just like epoxy. Sweetwater does have haz mat shipping charges and I'm guessing will end up costing a lot.
I think I mentioned the EPDM tape in a previous reply. People have used it to seal off the folds but I don't have any experience with this. I have never heard of overlapping it to seal a tank. Would be great it if would work. I just glanced at the price for the 6" tape online and at $2.60 per lineal foot that's VERY expensive.
This build is a bit more difficult, no doubt. But learning to work with fiberglass and epoxy or fiberglass and polyester is a valuable skill in this hobby.
And you might be right, for now just build a basic plywood pond and have the ramps and land area be completely separate. If you really want to keep it simple don't include a window for now. If the tank holds water long term a window could be added later.
The one things you do have going for you is water depth. The shallower the less likely to leak for a first project. And since Spotted Turtles don't do well with deep water it's not like you have temptation to build them the biggest, deepest tank you can.
Yes the tape is expensive and could be an option at one point. I do think that the separate parts to the pond might be the best idea. It would also allow me to remove the nesting area completely to search for eggs with ease.
I do agree that being able to work with the fiberglass and epoxy is a valuable skill and might come in handy for making a smaller tank build for hatchlings at some point. I really love the fact that spotteds are terrible swimmers, it allows for ease of designs, but hinders some filtration options. This is why I want to start with this build. I have other species that are far better swimmers and at some point will need a much larger aquarium than the 150 gallon they are in. I suppose I can train and learn techniques for when that time comes.
A window would be nice, but if I do choose to go along with just a liner a window might be an added task that would have to be dealt with. Even though my current pair of spotteds are very friendly I have a feeling some of the newer adults I acquire might not be. So no window would add in the privacy of the animals over all decreasing the stress on the mating and laying females. That would be a plus. I also figure I will be able to make the tank enough of a show tank to be happy with. I try to make all my tanks as natural as I can, which usually leads to stress on my part! haha
Is painting all sides of the wood a bad idea? I would love to make it match the other stands I have being all black. But if the would should need to breathe I figure I can always get some wood paneling to place on the pond and stand.
Also thank you very much for all of your help. I greatly value your experience.
Is painting all sides of the wood a bad idea? I would love to make it match the other stands I have being all black. But if the would should need to breathe I figure I can always get some wood paneling to place on the pond and stand.
Most paints will allow the wood to breathe and shouldn't slow down a leak to the point that it will cause damage. Some people have complete embedded plywood in epoxy and have not experienced any trouble. And in theory if one seals the inside of the tank properly it won't matter if the outside is sealed. But it's not something I would do personally. I wouldn't hesitate to paint the outside, however.
Excellent. I think I will stick with a plywood design with a pond liner. Depending on how I feel I might install a window in it at some point. And then just paint the tank. Should be a good deal. If only I was planning on starting this sooner. This build should happen may or june. but no reason not to slowly assemble everything over a great while.
