Tank Building Material

[dr_sudz]

Hey Guys, I was just wondering if anyone knows anything about powder coating metals. I was thinking about the possiblity of making a metal base of a large aquarium, powder coat the inside to prevent metal leaching then do the walls out of glass. I just am not sure if there are cemicals that would make the coatings be unsafe for aquariums. Anyone know or can anyone point me in the right direction to figure this point out?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Moike]

Hey Guys, I was just wondering if anyone knows anything about powder coating metals. I was thinking about the possiblity of making a metal base of a large aquarium, powder coat the inside to prevent metal leaching then do the walls out of glass. I just am not sure if there are cemicals that would make the coatings be unsafe for aquariums. Anyone know or can anyone point me in the right direction to figure this point out?
Thanks in advance.

Powdercoating, which I do a lot of at home with my own powdercoating rig and oven, is most of the time electrostatically charged polyester or polyester-epoxy particles till you get into exotic powders. You encapsulate the metal in a even... and if you want, thick coat of powder, cook it till it flows out glassy, and then cure it till it's set. Usually 450 degrees at about 25 minutes or till it flows, then back down to 400 for 20 minutes to cure it for the powders I use. (Eastwood)

Given that Powdercoating is very chip and ding resistant when compared to paint, it's pretty safe to say it'd most likely work just fine if you can get the glass in without chipping or scratching the powdercoat in the process.

And if you're doing a metal frame, it's most likely going to be easiest to get the whole frame prepped and shot all at once. At least a commercial powdercoater with a oven capable of handling the frame isn't going to want to mask off the areas you don't want coated, it's easier and faster to just shoot the whole frame at once.

 

[Knowdafish]

If you want it bullet proof and rust proof I would zinc metallize the frame 1st and then get it powder coated. Either that or make it out of stainless steel.

 

[Moike]

If you want it bullet proof and rust proof I would zinc metallize the frame 1st and then get it powder coated. Either that or make it out of stainless steel.

Honestly, that's overkill unless he chips up the frame real bad, and even then only the exposed sections will show a bit of surface rust.

When you prep a metal part for powder you have to strip it down to fresh bare metal. Usually this involves media blasting and then wiping down the entire assembly with a pre-powder solvent etching wash to ensure the surface is free of any rust, oil, or any other contaminants. Powder won't stick right to rust, grease, or even the odd oily thumb print if you don't do your prep right. That's why all parts are prepped and shot in a dry environment within a 24 hour window before any type of surface corrosion can occur.

Once you seal a metal part in cured powder, it might as well be sealed in Lucite. If he does happen to nick the frame, a quick fix with some epoxy paint and a q-tip after he's finished dry assembly of the tank will be fine, especially if he picks an easy to match color like black.

 

[dr_sudz]

so basically you are all saying that this is something that can be used inside an aquarium? This is very good news! Thank you for all your input. If anyone else has thoughts on this I would love to hear what you think if this is a good or bad idea. But so far it seems like it would be an all go!
Just so I have an idea of cost, how much do you guys figure ball park something like this could cost? Say for something along the lines of a 6'x6'x3' tank with the bottom being a solid metal portion.