Finally Upgrading: 600gl Plywood build
- Thread starter cvermeulen
- Start date
Bought some 2x6's today to build the stand for the 240gl acrylic I'll be building for a customer, but there ought to be enough extra to make the basic framework for the stand for this beast. Then I can get it off the floor and take the masking off, start filling screw holes and whatnot.
This weekend, totally unrelated but, I got started building a stand for someone's tank I'll be building parralel to this tank (3x4x30"). Here's the stand:
Acrylic should be here wednesday for that tank, so progress may drop off on the 600 for a bit.
I also had to finish up an algae scrubber for another customer.
Now, onto the 600 progress. I started on the stand. It has to be (dis) assemblable, because it will be 8'x4'x40", which will not fit thru any doorway in my house. I only got done the top of the stand today... it weighs like 100lbs.
I also added the centerbrace, fiberglassed it in, cut a hole for a bulkhead for my waterchange plumbing, and re-gelcoated the whole tank.
Acrylic should be here wednesday for that tank, so progress may drop off on the 600 for a bit.
I also had to finish up an algae scrubber for another customer.
Now, onto the 600 progress. I started on the stand. It has to be (dis) assemblable, because it will be 8'x4'x40", which will not fit thru any doorway in my house. I only got done the top of the stand today... it weighs like 100lbs.
I also added the centerbrace, fiberglassed it in, cut a hole for a bulkhead for my waterchange plumbing, and re-gelcoated the whole tank.
Went out last night before bed to shut the 5kw heater off, and sure enough where it was pointing the gelcoat has set up rock hard. Whew. Next step is either going to be to install the glass (have to get it water cut today or tomorrow) OR finish up the stand so I can get the tank up at eye level and start finishing the outside... OR, make the divider and start building the filter. I think I'll definitely get the glass in before the filter. I'd like to fill test it sooner than later. Maybe I'll finish the stand, get the tank on it, put the glass in, fill it, then start finishing the outside while it sits full of water.
Can you explain the water proofing of the wood?
Do you use normal polyester resin and fibre glass and then a gell coat on top or is there any epoxy involved?
Is epoxy not better if used with the right matt?
Thanks
James
Do you use normal polyester resin and fibre glass and then a gell coat on top or is there any epoxy involved?
Is epoxy not better if used with the right matt?
Thanks
James
James1;2963461; said:
Epoxy is stronger than polyester, but that strength isn't really needed here. You need the special stitched mat, or else cloth, which is more expensive. Epoxy resin also tends to be 3-5x more expensive than polyester.
My waterproofing process was to spray thinned polyester on the entire inside of the tank just to get a tacky base coat down, and minimize the wood absorbing all my resin when I laid the mat. Then I laid 2 layers of 1.5oz mat in all the seams, and a single layer of woven roving over most of the bottom just for durability's sake. Then I sprayed polyester gelcoat over everything for color, extra buildup, and UV resistance. The cheap way would just be to pigment some polyester resin and roll, spray or brush on 3-5 coats of that.
Nice tank, but you said that you had to finish up an algae scrubber for a customer... Do you sell them??? Link??
wow_it_esploded;2964549; said:
LOL. I thought it would be a good idea, but I changed my mind. This stupid thing has like $500 worth of labor in it but obviously that's not what I quoted it at or nobody would buy one!
