18' x 9' x 3.5' catfish tank build in progress.....
- Thread starter necrocanis
- Start date
This is one of the best threads on the forum... I give u alot of credit for starting this because i assure u i wouldnt dare to begin this... Good job & good luck
zennzzo;2381183; said:
I wouldn't go that far. I usually use a paint brush and a dabbing motion to poke out the bubbles and work the resin through the glass. If you're doing large areas, a roller is nice, but if you're just doing in the corners, I wouldn't bother. go to fiberglassforums.com and read their newbie faq, as well as the "tips and tricks" sticky, and you'll be all set.
Don't you think this 4000 gallon build is a large area?...cvermeulen;2381616; said:
I'm not too sure what you mean by "work the resin through the glass"
The Glass should be laid into the resin, to wet, then applied to the surface and rolled out...this insures the glass fibers are saturated and the air is worked out...
zennzzo;2381756; said:
You have your technique. I have mine.
Most layups I've done include painting down some resin, laying the glass or mat in place so it just sticks to the resin that's there, and then applying more resin from the top till it's wet out. Trying to handle a saturated fiberglass section is a real messy, frustrating undertaking - particularly if it's chopped strand mat.
Yes, his tank is an enormous area, but read my post again, I said "if you're just going to do the corners" - if he's just doing the corners a roller will be largely useless anyway.
Corners are where they shine...you get a nice radius in the corner that is even...They sell different diameter rollers for the different radius...cvermeulen;2381786; said:
the last thing I would want, is an uneven corner with gaps and bubbles in it. This is where you are going to leak if you are not absolutly sure there are no air bubbles...
Cliff, good to see the tank build coming along so well! Can't wait to see the final product. I need to start stockpiling funds for something simliar that I should be able to start in August 09 or so to grow out my kitties in as well ~Trent
To anyone looking to do a tank, just get started and those extra funds that you use for drinking, or bowling or whatever put them into a jar, and once you have enough buy a couple sheets of ply and do it over time. You'll enjoy it, even as frustrating as it can be at times. You don't have to have much money to start. Ask around and see what extra materials your friends, relatives, and neighbors have they don't need and start there. You'll eventually finish and you'll be glad you did.
So that everyone knows I got my gate valves in today, and they are awesome. I'll get some pics up today or tomorrow of them and a slight water test just to show what they look like, and how they work! I'm super excited. I just need the resin, and gelcoat to get here. I also got the 9" woven roving for the corners and seems. There's 50 yards so I hope it's enough! Probably going to try it without a roller unless I can find one locally. Then I'll get one and let everyone know if I think it was worth it!
So that everyone knows I got my gate valves in today, and they are awesome. I'll get some pics up today or tomorrow of them and a slight water test just to show what they look like, and how they work! I'm super excited. I just need the resin, and gelcoat to get here. I also got the 9" woven roving for the corners and seems. There's 50 yards so I hope it's enough! Probably going to try it without a roller unless I can find one locally. Then I'll get one and let everyone know if I think it was worth it!
