Another thought I had was using epoxy to seal the corners. Basically tip the tank at a 45 degree angle for each joint and poor epoxy in the joint and allow to cure. This would also provide a better corner transition as it could be filled in to what ever level you wanted. The plastic sheet used would obviously need to adhere well with epoxy. This would be more permanent but I think pretty fool proof. This would also need to be done 8 times as there is 8 joints that need sealing on a rectangle tank, and I think it would be best to allow each joint to cure completely before moving the tank for the next joint, so basically an 8 day process still no big deal.
Plywood + Acrylic Idea
- Thread starter earthstudent
- Start date
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Gray Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Type 1 Sheeting
1/8" x 48" x 96" Gray PVC Sheet $56.45
White Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Sheeting
1/8" x 48" x 96" White PVC Sheet
$64.10
ABS Sheet
48" x 96" Black; 1/8" Thick
$59.03
So a few hundred plus shipping for 3 sheets.
Now as for sealing the corners what about 3m's 5200 marine adhesive
I use it to seal my arylic window to the pond liner and it forms a pretty tight bond. When I replaced my 180gal, I unbolted the window and I dont think even kicking the window broke it loose.. Rough up the edges and pour 5200 into the seems and let cure, easy no?
1/8" x 48" x 96" Gray PVC Sheet $56.45
White Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Sheeting
1/8" x 48" x 96" White PVC Sheet
$64.10
ABS Sheet
48" x 96" Black; 1/8" Thick
$59.03
So a few hundred plus shipping for 3 sheets.
Now as for sealing the corners what about 3m's 5200 marine adhesive
I use it to seal my arylic window to the pond liner and it forms a pretty tight bond. When I replaced my 180gal, I unbolted the window and I dont think even kicking the window broke it loose.. Rough up the edges and pour 5200 into the seems and let cure, easy no?
The 3M 5200 is a polyurethane sealant. I personally like polyurethane sealant as they seem to bond very well to just about anything. It comes in white so that is a plus since I will likely be going with white ABS plastic. I will check with 3M and see if it is fish safe i9n my application and see what they say about using it in my application.
3M also has a marine grade silicone sealant. Although is says it is mildew resistant, so it may have non-fish safe chemicals in it.
3M does not recommend using any of there products in any aquarium application. They said the 5200 sealant even though it says it cures in 5-7 days will continue to cure for several weeks and during the curing process will leak toxic chemicals into the water. Not sure I want to gamble that with my fish personally.
Earth I used 5 tubes of 3M 5200 on my 330gallon aquarium for my twin windows. Not only is there adhesive between the windows i also ran it on the outside of the window for extra sealant and it has had 100% water contact ever since and have not seen one ill effect to my fish.
IMO Id never worry about 3m giving me problems in my tank.
IMO Id never worry about 3m giving me problems in my tank.
My local supplier of PVC sheet goods informed me that 100% silicone (fish safe) will NOT adhere to PVC sheet.
What about using ABS sheet and sealing the corners with ABS "slurry". In other words put ABS cuttings/filings in a sealed jar with a little Acetone overnight and mix into a "paste".
I've considered this but have yet to take the plunge.
What about using ABS sheet and sealing the corners with ABS "slurry". In other words put ABS cuttings/filings in a sealed jar with a little Acetone overnight and mix into a "paste".
I've considered this but have yet to take the plunge.
