Roof Coating for sealing a plywood tank??

[Dr Joe]

All of that is good and correct information. However the Ames products state that they can be applied directly to wood in several places. Also, when applied with the primer they bond quite well with wood. Also, The Elasto Barrier, Iron Coat, and Maximum Stretch are all potable compliant.

"Ames Research Laboratories' Super Primer is a unique, elastomeric plastic sealant, primer and adhesive for concrete, tile, rubber, wood, metal, and many hard-to-stick surfaces. It penetrates deeply into the surface to actually bind together the molecules of the surface it is being applied to."

As a show of faith to the idea I will use the Super Primer and Maximum Stretch on my next project. I will be getting the wood tomorrow. I'll create a thread for people to follow. This will be a roughly 100gal setup, nothing extremely massive.

Your right some can be applied to wood, I spoke out of turn..thank you.

But only the Blue Max is made for holding potable water continuously, same pricing, now if that could work on wood...

.........

Ok on to important stuff..the build!

If you could follow the instructions implicitly, we would have a base line to work with and judge by. Calling Ames to get specific instructions for this build would be really good.

100g will be a nice test (are you sure you don't want a 600g tank? huh...huh? ).

Everyone does need to realize this test is going to take a year just to have some conclusive data on reliability / health issues and then we start longevity testin.

Thank you Rivermud for volunteering to do this test, take good pix 'cause this should make a sticky.

Dr Joe

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[Rivermud]

Ok, I purchased the wood. I also found a great deal on glass locally. Apparently the shop had some scrap plate from previous projects and it was just big enough for my purpose.

The inside dimensions are 46.5X21.5X23 (fill height) making the tank 99.5422 gallons. Not bad for one sheet of plywood. I will create the thread later tonight during the construction. I'll need to either order the Ames or hopefully find it locally. My original local dealer does not carry Ames anymore but rather a competitor.

 

[Rivermud]

Well so here's an update. Ames never returned my e-mails. Ames is no longer carried in any stores locally. In fact thenearest dealer is 600 or so miles from me. Shipping and the product cost overall was more than most options currently used. It's not worth the 120 dollars when other items are more readilly available. So I will not be ordering from Ames. I did however find a nice new product that is potable water safe according to the dealer and will be trying that. I'll begin a new thread with pictures tonight.

 

[krisRTC]

Since you still decide to post opinion without research, let me help you.

Elasto based products have been used several times in the hobby for many years. Your opinion is based on the fact that you've not seen it or used it. I decided on Ames Elasto Barrier instead of Snow Seal or Kool Seal for this reason:

Ames Elasto Barrier

"Super Elasto-Barrier has been specially formulated for colder weather and to resist fungus, mold, and mildew. Super Elasto-Barrier is potable water compliant, and contains no toxic substances after curing. "

This product is similar to Snow Seal and Kool Seal. The Ames product is the only one I have found however that lists itself as potable water safe. All three of these products are elastomeric roof coatings. Also, ames comes in a gray rather than the bright bright white. I infact used snow seal then elastobarrier alternately to make sure i had coverage since one was white and the other grey. In retrospect i would have poured the product rather than painting because it requires thick coatings and a paint brush does not work well with it.

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/31112-vargas-300-gallon-wall-build.html

so if the product in question can resist fungus mould ETC it leaches chemicals to stop the mould and fungus gowing it is the same as bathroom silicone and that is toxic to fish too, i wouldnt use it especially if it is an own brand cheap copy!!

basically dont cut corners when it comes to something like this buy the correct stuff like i have for my ply tank, see my thread,

 

[Rivermud]

You should read the next line. Just because there has been many discussions regarding the anti fungal and mildew addatives to silicone does not mean it's the same as this product. Elastomeric compounds are naturally resistant to mold, fungus, and mildew. The reason being is that they are siliconized. Furthermore they've been used and are still in use. If you read the entire thread you'd see that a tank I built in November of 04 is still in use. I used Elasto Barrier. That said, products like Henry's or Black Magic are NOT for potable water and i would not use them. They are competing products to Ames. I realize however that it really doesn't matter what I type here because most people fail to read the entire thread or even the entire paragraph and simply form an opinion on whatever they choose to believe. This is all fine and dandy except that it breeds ignorance and falsehoods in a hobby that's already filled with them.

 

[TheFishJunky]

first off i am a roofer. i've never seen a coating at lowes that i would be willing to put on a customers building, let alone trust to keep my fish safe. mind you, this is just my opinion.

My thoughts exactlyNot to mention all roofing materials contain tar to some extent and tar is made up of oil and other attitives/chemicals etc.I wouldn't suggest using anything for roofing in a fish tank.Not to mention-just b/c it's for roofs doesn't mean its waterproof under these kind of conditions.(being submerged in water 24/7)stick with epoxy and resin made for fish tanks or ponds.Not worth the risk.Especially if it was leaking in an area you werent aware of for a long time and then one day the tank falls through a rotted floor.

 

[Rivermud]

My thoughts exactlyNot to mention all roofing materials contain tar to some extent and tar is made up of oil and other attitives/chemicals etc.I wouldn't suggest using anything for roofing in a fish tank.Not to mention-just b/c it's for roofs doesn't mean its waterproof under these kind of conditions.(being submerged in water 24/7)stick with epoxy and resin made for fish tanks or ponds.Not worth the risk.Especially if it was leaking in an area you werent aware of for a long time and then one day the tank falls through a rotted floor.

This type of response is exactly what I mean when I say people don't actually read.

 

[TheFishJunky]

read what?what is there to read?You are telling someone to use a roofing product for a fish build.last time I checked theres no fish living on my roof.Why not just go with a product that is safe for fish and made for fish.Not a product that you think would be okay for fish.And for the record,I just read this entire thread so I have read it all and still stand by what I said.to each his own though.Good luck either way.Opinions are like buttholes buddy-we all got em and they all stink.You got your opinion and I got mine.dont be so quick to criticize man.I've been in the construction trade all my life and in my experience of seeing "it all"I just personally wouldn't go that route.No hard feelings on my end either way.Maybe you are 100% correct and in ten years you will prove me wrong when the tank is still running and the fish still thriving.Either way,I guess we wont know for a while anyway.

 

[Rivermud]

I'm not trying to be a jerk either. Simply stating that in the thread and on the website we've talked about the compounds make-up. It's not tar based. It's elastomeric. A rubbery elastic compound commonly used as a part of many application including some major water sealers used in pools. The product is approved for potable water, something a tar based product could never be. Also, I don't think 10 years is required since we have proof of 4+ years already and no toxic die offs.. either way it doesn't matter much because it's no longer cost effective to use this product. Cheaper options are available more readilly. Unless you happen to live near a dealer that is.....

 

[Dr Joe]

I was all set for this build too!!!

Can't you move to another state that has a close dealer? Huh, couldga huh?

I mean it's for a good cause!





So...now which way do you go? Thompson's waterseal? (I don't think there is any tar in it)

I used to have some Ficus elastica but the cold got them one year , we could have made our own organic sealer .

Never mind, I found the new thread

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218515

Dr Joe

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