Planning a new monster tank.. Need some opinions.

[VLDesign]

Ahh yeah the "goop tilt" thread.. I read it like 3 times... Nice looking tank..

I was just looking at that and I noticed that IPS the company that makes the acrylic glue makes a glue that bonds ABS, PVC & Acyrlic in a medium body sealant.

Where did you get the ABS sheets from?

Thanks

 

[arl]

Ahh yeah the "goop tilt" thread.. I read it like 3 times... Nice looking tank..

I was just looking at that and I noticed that IPS the company that makes the acrylic glue makes a glue that bonds ABS, PVC & Acyrlic in a medium body sealant.

Where did you get the ABS sheets from?

Thanks

Acrylic glue might be a better idea instead of goop since goop takes so long to dry up and it will stink a bit. I just happen to have a good access/deal on goops from work and it really holds plastic sheets well. I just got my abs sheet from a local window/door fabricating shop here. I was originally going for acrylic sheets but like what I said for 1/3 the price and abs being used in applications involving stronger chemicals and rugged applications I decided to go for this.

 

[CJH]

Waterproofing is the area of concern.
Epoxy is way too toxic for me so I don't think I want to do that.

I think you're confusing epoxy resin with epoxy paint. No big deal, it's a common mistake. A 100% resin product like West Systems is VOC free and are frequently applied without a respirator. If you read some boat building forums one of the many advantaged to epoxy resin is that it can be applied in partially enclosed areas safely.

An epoxy paint like Sweetwater is epoxy resins thinned with solvents and with pigments added. They sound similar but are actually very different.

If you think you need the additional strength of fiberglass cloth/roving/mat then I would strongly consider an epoxy.

If you don't then something like Pond Armour or another polyurea blend might be the better choice, although they may still produce an odor while they cure. I would also check and see what your options are for attaching glass as I'm not sure if Pond Armour bonds well with silicone.

 

[Irbanjaxed]

do you just put that epoxy over the plywood? and your good or is there something else needed? i was thinking about making a 20gl plywood tank with one window normal shape just had that q' about the epoxy?... after you build it with the plywood do you just start painting that epoxy in there or is there another step

 

[CJH]

do you just put that epoxy over the plywood? and your good or is there something else needed? i was thinking about making a 20gl plywood tank with one window normal shape just had that q' about the epoxy?... after you build it with the plywood do you just start painting that epoxy in there or is there another step

For a 20 gallon tank you could coat plywood with just epoxy resin. Once you pick out a resin I would call the companies technical department and see what they recommend depending on the type of plywood you're using. If using a smoother, paint grade plywood they may recommend roughing up the surface a bit, for example.

For that small of a tank you won't need fiberglass reinforcement of any type, assuming the carcass is well built.

It has been said here many times that building small DIY tanks usually ends up costing a lot more money, so I would only recommend this project if you want to use it as a practice tank and to see if your method will work. In that case it might be best to just build a plywood sump and not worry about a glass or acrylic viewing area.

 

[Irbanjaxed]

yes i would like to do this as a practice tank like every thing i begin i usually like to make small things and once im comfortable i go big i just made a 2.75 gl acrylic tank now my wife has a new place for her betta