epoxy resin vapors, toxic for fish?

[leg89]

hi guys!

got a monster deal on a 10" piraya (big piranha) and i'm affraid my actual 130 gal will be too small for him and the actual 6 reds (smaller piranhas)

so i plan on building my ply tank ahead of time. only it'll be smaller than the monster project since i still have to wait 2 years before the house. actually, i'm in an appartment. prob go with 200 gal

my question is: the only space i have to build this monster is in the same room as the actual tank. i'm affraid that epoxy resin vapors could be toxic for the fish in the actual tank.

what do you think?

cauz i'm not sure my gf would like it if i build it in the living room or the kitchen! (and forget the bedroom! haha)

 

[spiff]

I don't think anyone will be able to accurately predict if it will kill your fish or not. But it sure wouldn't be good for them.

I would just turn off your air pumps and keep the tank as sealed as possible and keep good ventilation going while you work.

 

[dragogreen]

make sure to protect yourself also and get a heavy duty mask! safety first for everyone around you and yourself.

 

[CJH]

my question is: the only space i have to build this monster is in the same room as the actual tank. i'm affraid that epoxy resin vapors could be toxic for the fish in the actual tank.

what do you think?

If you use a 100% epoxy resin you'll be fine. I would recommend avoiding poly or vinyl ester resins and solvent based epoxy paints.

If you really want to use one of those products then seal the panels outside and assemble them in the room, although this will rule out fiberglass cloth or mat be applied after assembly, unless you use epoxy to wet it out, in which case you could just build it in the room to begin with.

I think that single-component rubber compound that Joey used on his tank could be applied safely in your fish room as well.

 

[njackson]

you could use a pond liner instead. few people done it on here.

 

[leg89]

yeah i also wanted to go with the plastic rubber, but i want to make another DIY concrete background and resin it so....

i may try to build it outside... i live in the basement of an appartment block, so i have this kind of covered space for my BBQ outside i may use for the build. i'm just affraid some lil smart *** come play with it during night!