Ply tank build

[CJH]

Got the fiberglass for this weekend. Will get it all done tomorrow. Now will need to find some water proofing paint/ rubber pond paint. Anyone have any suggestions. Lowe's does not have. Going to try a local pool dealer Monday when there open for maybe some black pool paint.

What sort of resin did you use to apply the fiberglass? Polyester, epoxy, or what?

I would consider just tinting the resin and adding more coats.

If you want to use a paint then I would go to the InsulX website and use their store locator feature. They seem to have good distribution around the lower 48.

I believe their rubberized pool paint will stick to polyester but I'm not sure. I think additional coats of tinted resin is a safer choice.

 

[nolapete]

The problem with insl-X is that there is no way of knowing if it is safe for fish. It is designed for concrete swimming pools and it "Resists fading, fungus, algae, abrasion and alkalis." Generally, products that resist fungus leach chemicals into the water that are toxic to aquatic organisms. Also, because it is designed to adhere to concrete, it doesn't necessarily adhere to wood, fiberglass, etc.

 

[CJH]

The problem with insl-X is that there is no way of knowing if it is safe for fish. It is designed for concrete swimming pools and it "Resists fading, fungus, algae, abrasion and alkalis." Generally, products that resist fungus leach chemicals into the water that are toxic to aquatic organisms. Also, because it is designed to adhere to concrete, it doesn't necessarily adhere to wood, fiberglass, etc.

I think it has been reported that the non-chlorinated type was said to be fish safe. I apologize if this is not the case.

I also meant to mention that silicone does not stick to it. Not necessarily a problem that can't be worked around but it seems like a bad idea to seal an already glassed tank with a product that silicone won't stick to.

For that and the reasons already mentioned I think tinted resin is a much better choice than InsulX, Permadri or Sanitred.

If the tank weren't glassed then I might think differently.

 

[nolapete]

You can't compare Permadri Pond Coat to insl-X or Sanitred. It's a completely different type of product.

 

[CJH]

You can't compare Permadri Pond Coat to insl-X or Sanitred. It's a completely different type of product.

Sure you can. Silicone has been reported to have poor adhesion to all of them, which was the final point I was trying to make.

If we were talking about waterproofing a bare plywood tank then I agree, we'd have to get a bit more technical. But even then you can compare them.

But this is a tank that has already been fiberglassed that the builder wants to make black.

If he wants to add additional waterproofing then I think he at least needs to consider that some options don't allow traditional means of attaching glass with silicone. Like I already said, this is something that can be worked around if any of these elastomeric products appeal to him for other reasons.

 

[BadOleRoss]

I would beef up the stand a little more. Full of water, it looks like a good push on the tank from the side and away she'd go! Better to overbuild then to underbuild!

 

[GrossGraphix]

Yea i got some more to add to stand yet its not finished. I have a cross brace for it also a bottom and a couple more 2x4 supports. Got it figured for each stud to hold only around 221lbs which should be easy.

As for the fiberglass resin i used i will have to check the bucket and see if it was a epoxy or polyester. Is one better than the other???? I think i have leaned towards just putting another couple of coats of fiberglass for sealing and buying a tint to make it black.

I have a pic of the tank all glassed so far but wife has got the memory card so cant upload it at moment

 

[CJH]

As for the fiberglass resin i used i will have to check the bucket and see if it was a epoxy or polyester. Is one better than the other????

If the bucket just said "fiberglass" resin then it was probably just an inexpensive polyester. Not my first choice to seal a plywood tank but it's probably one of the most common resins used because it can be found anywhere. It seems to be more brittle and susceptible to "crazing" than other polyester, vinyl ester and epoxy resins.

If you're out of resin and already have sufficient fiberglass reinforcement you could also just go over the surface with a tinted gel coat which is probably available in smaller quantities. If you have sufficient resin for more coats then just buy the tint.

 

[Gator]

94.5" X 33" X 27" comes out to 364 gallons which is close enough to your 354 G estimate but witht he number of legs on your stand I see major problems unless you add support in the middle of the tank bottom and double up every 2x4 leg. as it is with the 12 legs and using your 221 lbs supportable by each leg give your stand the ability to hold up a tank with water only weighing 2652 lbs. The problem here is that 364 gallon tank @ 8.35 lbs per gallon comes out to about 3040 lbs again thats water only. But add any rocks and then add in the weight of the glass and wood used to make the tank and your risking total failure of your stand. For a few bucks more you can double the weight your stand can handle and save a lot of headache if your stand fails. Also what type of screws did you use to build the tank?

 

[GrossGraphix]

94.5" X 33" X 27" comes out to 364 gallons which is close enough to your 354 G estimate but witht he number of legs on your stand I see major problems unless you add support in the middle of the tank bottom and double up every 2x4 leg. as it is with the 12 legs and using your 221 lbs supportable by each leg give your stand the ability to hold up a tank with water only weighing 2652 lbs. The problem here is that 364 gallon tank @ 8.35 lbs per gallon comes out to about 3040 lbs again thats water only. But add any rocks and then add in the weight of the glass and wood used to make the tank and your risking total failure of your stand. For a few bucks more you can double the weight your stand can handle and save a lot of headache if your stand fails. Also what type of screws did you use to build the tank?

Yea i figures just the window viewing area on those dimensions was my bad. (brain fart). Total water capacity will be 93.5 x 33.5 x 29.5 the ply is 1.5" thick plus the fiberglass. Resin was bought from a place who deals in it. (5gal bucket) we use it on the fiberglass kit cars and stuff at work for body and stuff.
You dont think the center has enough support?? I would think that the outside edge will have plenty of support with the 2x4 running whole lenght and the between 2x4's also holding? I could be wrong but just seems like plenty to me. I figure tank to weigh aroung 3900lbs less weight of the tank itself. divided by 16 2x4's gives 241lbs of weight on each leg. ( i know theres only 12 in picuture i have not put the others on yet)
I could be wrong though thats why im on here asking questions and everyones input. (which is greatly appreciated)

Screws say i can get pic later once i get memory card back from wife but they are Grip Rite fasners exterior does not say deck screw anywhere on box just says dont use on pier or docks near waters edge.