Looking good man.
Sorry to hear about your fish.
Also, good luck with the rest of the build!
Subscribed.
Sorry to hear about your fish.
Also, good luck with the rest of the build!
Subscribed.
My new 2600 gallon plywood tank project
- Thread starter VLDesign
- Start date
Critical decision time.
After my last patch of fiberglass and 2 layers of pond armor I got the tank to hold water.
Before I begin with my epoxy & fiberglass layers (Which I know should have been done first) I have an interesting dilemma.
Should I remove the pond armor down to the plywood in the corners and then lay down my epoxy and fiberglass
or
Do I assume the tank is now solid and continue with the epoxy and fiberglass as a final insurance layer.
I will not be adding new pond armor on top of this final layer. This lat layer is it.
My obvious concern it that if the PA were to suffer another failure that the layer of epoxy & fiberglass might then fail as well. However, I sure would hate to rip out something that appears to be solid only to open up myself to new leaks and new problems with this final layer.
I know whichever way I decide to go will be the wrong decision. lol
After my last patch of fiberglass and 2 layers of pond armor I got the tank to hold water.
Before I begin with my epoxy & fiberglass layers (Which I know should have been done first) I have an interesting dilemma.
Should I remove the pond armor down to the plywood in the corners and then lay down my epoxy and fiberglass
or
Do I assume the tank is now solid and continue with the epoxy and fiberglass as a final insurance layer.
I will not be adding new pond armor on top of this final layer. This lat layer is it.
My obvious concern it that if the PA were to suffer another failure that the layer of epoxy & fiberglass might then fail as well. However, I sure would hate to rip out something that appears to be solid only to open up myself to new leaks and new problems with this final layer.
I know whichever way I decide to go will be the wrong decision. lol
My gut feeling says don't mess with what is holding water, but I do not know anything about fiberglass so its just an opinion. Will the fiberglass be bonded to the PA? Will that stick? (not doubting you, just curious)
Good luck
Good luck
I haven't looked at the surface as it stands now. I think that would make the difference. You know where it leaked. How is that looking at the moment? Is it solid or do you still have questions. I think if I had questions on the integrity of the product I'd do everything in my power to ensure those questions were answered. If that meant sanding down then you better believe I'd be in there with a sander and some 40 or 60grit.
From what I'm reading you don't have the confidence you should in those corners and the leak. Just my opinion. I definitely wish you luck! can't wait to see the next batch of photos
From what I'm reading you don't have the confidence you should in those corners and the leak. Just my opinion. I definitely wish you luck! can't wait to see the next batch of photos
The new epoxy will bond to the PA without issues.
The surface is solid, and I guess I am about 80% sure on the tank holding. Only reason it's not higher is the amount of trouble this gave me getting to this point.
Obviously I am not 100% because I am adding this last layer to help beef up the support. So, I guess that might be my answer. This layer is not intended to replace what is there just give me an extra layer of protection.
If I were to do it all over I would start with the fiberglass and Max ACR then PA over that.
The surface is solid, and I guess I am about 80% sure on the tank holding. Only reason it's not higher is the amount of trouble this gave me getting to this point.
Obviously I am not 100% because I am adding this last layer to help beef up the support. So, I guess that might be my answer. This layer is not intended to replace what is there just give me an extra layer of protection.
If I were to do it all over I would start with the fiberglass and Max ACR then PA over that.
This is where step by step need to be done first and look like you are skipping the epoxy step so now adding it is just wasted in my opinion because the bonding is never as strong as it directly to plywood. It is like you paint first then prime the wall later instead of prime the wall and paint. It will look fine but the serving purpose did not serve in this case.
Honestly........ Why do it if you're not going to do it right? You know that the Fiberglass resin is the key. you have come this far, why not take it back down to barebones like you de3scribed here and do it right. YOu will have way less worry know that you did the right thing. Plus when you do this, you may find a weak spot that could have been a future failure. Taking the extra care this time that you know will work out fine would be the peace of mind that I would be aiming for!!!
Just my advice though! Cause honestly, this what you shu8old have done in the first place instead of messing around with the PA crap... No Offense but lesson learned. Why even have the crap under there. You'll be kicking yourself if something happens in the future... Thinking "DAMMIT!? I should listen to Mastiffman!"...
Look at this way, you can point over rust, But it's still rust! or you can Polish turd, but it's still a turd (Mythbusters proved this)!
not meaning to derail, but...
Go mythbusters
haha who else would have thought to polish poop
anyway back to the tank...
I'm glad you have had success... You now have one of the hardest decisions... to fiberglass or not to fiberglass
I think if you spent aall that money on PA I would leave it in there. If you want an extra coat for security reasons, I would find some more epoxy or maybe liquid rubber or something. Is fiberglass resin fish safe? Also I wouldn't think it'd be as strong on the outside, but really I would have lost my mind about 50 pages ago.
I salute you on a fabulouse build, and I hope it holds water for a long time to come.
Go mythbustershaha who else would have thought to polish poop
anyway back to the tank...
I'm glad you have had success... You now have one of the hardest decisions... to fiberglass or not to fiberglass
I think if you spent aall that money on PA I would leave it in there. If you want an extra coat for security reasons, I would find some more epoxy or maybe liquid rubber or something. Is fiberglass resin fish safe? Also I wouldn't think it'd be as strong on the outside, but really I would have lost my mind about 50 pages ago.
I salute you on a fabulouse build, and I hope it holds water for a long time to come.
Why use pond armor? why not get the whole tank fiber glassed?Oh no.. there is no question about using fiberglass.. It's going to be put on for sure..
And yes Epoxy Resin from POLYMER COMPOSITES, INC. who makes Max ACR is fish safe.
