Might be a stupid question...but why not just paint the outside? Especially if cost is a concern...
will this be safe for fish?
- Thread starter AndrewMack
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Because you need the inside sealed and waterproofed so when you fill it up the wood does not rot.
I have not priced solvent-based epoxy paints in quite a while. However, I have heard of the garage floor epoxy paints being used in plywood tanks. Unfortunately I don't remember what forum that was one but certainly they are less than $125 per gallon?
When shopping for garage floor paints take care to distinguish between solvent based and waterborne products as the latter would not be as durable in an underwater application. Some companies produce both solvent and waterborne versions so don't just randomly grap Rustoleum and think it will work.
As far as pool paints, they have UV inhibitors that add to the cost and actually make the paint less durable technically. I have used solvent based pool paints in plywood tanks only because I could get it locally and saved so much on shipping. But that's the only way I'd use them.
Now, some comments on solvent-based epoxy paints in general.
1) They are very nasty to use so invest in a good respirator and DO NOT apply them indoors, especially if you have children. If the tank you're sealing has to be built indoors then find a different product, IMO.
2) They are usually heavily diluted so factor that in when comparing the cost. The product linked in the first post, for example, is 61% solids. If you want to compare that to a 100% solids epoxy like West Systems the epoxy paint is really $205 per gallon.
You can get several 100% epoxy resin systems for less than $205 per gallon and probably even less than $75 per gallon and not have to deal with the solvents. I think you can get polyurea for less than $205 per gallon.
3) Now, with #1 & #2 aside, solvent based epoxy paints are pretty easy to work with and they do flow out well so you can often get away with a thinner coat overall which can save money depending on how you apply it compared to a 100% resin system.
I also like that a solvent based system penetrates the wood fibers vs. sitting on top of the wood like a 100% resin system.
However, you can buy your own solvents and thin the epoxy yourself so the first coat penentrates the wood fibers. Follow up coats can be 100% epoxy. Only thin epoxy according to the manufacturers recommendations and don't do this indoors if at all possible.
My ultimate point is that I would try to find a 100% resin system and use that, especially if you are applying it indoors. If you like the application performance of solvent based epoxy paints then I would at least consider mixing up your own with solvents you pick up locally and epoxy pigments.
When shopping for garage floor paints take care to distinguish between solvent based and waterborne products as the latter would not be as durable in an underwater application. Some companies produce both solvent and waterborne versions so don't just randomly grap Rustoleum and think it will work.
As far as pool paints, they have UV inhibitors that add to the cost and actually make the paint less durable technically. I have used solvent based pool paints in plywood tanks only because I could get it locally and saved so much on shipping. But that's the only way I'd use them.
Now, some comments on solvent-based epoxy paints in general.
1) They are very nasty to use so invest in a good respirator and DO NOT apply them indoors, especially if you have children. If the tank you're sealing has to be built indoors then find a different product, IMO.
2) They are usually heavily diluted so factor that in when comparing the cost. The product linked in the first post, for example, is 61% solids. If you want to compare that to a 100% solids epoxy like West Systems the epoxy paint is really $205 per gallon.
You can get several 100% epoxy resin systems for less than $205 per gallon and probably even less than $75 per gallon and not have to deal with the solvents. I think you can get polyurea for less than $205 per gallon.
3) Now, with #1 & #2 aside, solvent based epoxy paints are pretty easy to work with and they do flow out well so you can often get away with a thinner coat overall which can save money depending on how you apply it compared to a 100% resin system.
I also like that a solvent based system penetrates the wood fibers vs. sitting on top of the wood like a 100% resin system.
However, you can buy your own solvents and thin the epoxy yourself so the first coat penentrates the wood fibers. Follow up coats can be 100% epoxy. Only thin epoxy according to the manufacturers recommendations and don't do this indoors if at all possible.
My ultimate point is that I would try to find a 100% resin system and use that, especially if you are applying it indoors. If you like the application performance of solvent based epoxy paints then I would at least consider mixing up your own with solvents you pick up locally and epoxy pigments.
I just noticed you are from Florida. I have heard good things about Raka epoxy and it is distributed somewhere in Florida so you could probably save a lot on shipping.
Their basic marine epoxy has been used on plywood tanks and their three gallon kit is $156. That's $52 per gallon for a 100% resin system.
Again, you are paying $205 per gallon of cured resin with the epoxy paint you linked to, assuming the $125 per gallon price is correct.
Link to Raka:
http://www.raka.com/epoxy.html
Quote from Raka:
All Raka Epoxies are 100 % solids with no evaporating
solvents and have low viscosity for superb penetration
and wetting out of wood and fiberglass.
Their basic marine epoxy has been used on plywood tanks and their three gallon kit is $156. That's $52 per gallon for a 100% resin system.
Again, you are paying $205 per gallon of cured resin with the epoxy paint you linked to, assuming the $125 per gallon price is correct.
Link to Raka:
http://www.raka.com/epoxy.html
Quote from Raka:
All Raka Epoxies are 100 % solids with no evaporating
solvents and have low viscosity for superb penetration
and wetting out of wood and fiberglass.
i am building my own tank, and have just purchased from a fiberglass shop iso resin, not sure the full name, but its FDA approved for potable water, and runs $47 a gallon. dries to touch under 30 minutes.
havent used it yet, hopefully this weekend.
havent used it yet, hopefully this weekend.
hellbent;3242012; said:i am building my own tank, and have just purchased from a fiberglass shop iso resin, not sure the full name, but its FDA approved for potable water, and runs $47 a gallon. dries to touch under 30 minutes.
havent used it yet, hopefully this weekend.
Iso is short for isophthalic. Strong stuff for the money but a bit hard to work with if I remember correctly.
well here is about the best price ive seen yet. Its made for building aquariums.... and 73 bucks a gallon!!
http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/3048/Sweetwater-Epoxy-Paints-1-Gallon
http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/3048/Sweetwater-Epoxy-Paints-1-Gallon
AndrewMack;3242525; said:well here is about the best price ive seen yet. Its made for building aquariums.... and 73 bucks a gallon!!
http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/3048/Sweetwater-Epoxy-Paints-1-Gallon
Nice product, but that is also a solvent-based epoxy paint.
72% solids so you're really paying about $100 equivalent per gallon for the actual epoxy.
I would still recommend looking into Raka or any 100% resin system you can find locally.
what do you mean? im kind of ignorant to the epoxy thing. I only need about 1 gallon to cover the area im painting
i wouldnt risk it man. it might be safe for humans but then again... humans dont breathe water through their skin. fish are REALLY sensitive to foreign chemicals.
