Thinking About Constructing a Monster Aquarium Yourself?

[crazy clowntang]

The interior coating of the plywood in the 8000 gallon aquarium is polyester resin purchased from TAP Plastics. http://www.tapplastics.com/

The 600 square feet of interior surface area required about 15 gallons of resin in a single coating. A second coating would have been advisable however the tank is holding up well.

Thanks so much

 

[cchhcc]

Great project!

Could you clarify your temperature control system a bit? I am confused. I think I'm mixing up your water change heating and your tank heating.

I'm planning on doing something similar with my existing 1000 outdoor tank -- that is, keeping it setup all year rather than just in the summer. I was planning on a greenhouse, but your system makes me think I just may be able to heat it.

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Anythingfish]

Great project!

Could you clarify your temperature control system a bit? I am confused. I think I'm mixing up your water change heating and your tank heating.

I'm planning on doing something similar with my existing 1000 outdoor tank -- that is, keeping it setup all year rather than just in the summer. I was planning on a greenhouse, but your system makes me think I just may be able to heat it.

Thanks in advance for the help!

The 8000-gallon outdoor aquarium is heated with standard 500 and 1000-watt titanium heaters. The thermostatically controlled heaters reside in the 1000-gallon sump, which circulates continuously through the filters, and back into the aquarium. The total of 2,000 watts is sufficient to maintain a 77-78 degree temperature year around in well-insulated aquarium.

Incoming city tap water during the winter is in the range of 37-43 degrees Fahrenheit and must be heated. In the sump wall, I have mounted four 5500-watt common water tank heaters threaded into 1-1/2” bulkhead fittings. During water replacement at the rate of 300 gallons per hour, I temporarily turn on a total of 22,000 watts, which are on time clocks.

My greenhouse aquarium has a glass roof four feet above the water surface. The aquarium is entirely covered with glass panels as well. In the day time radiant heat will warm the water somewhat even on cloudy days. When the sun is out the area above the aquarium and under the glass roof can reach 90 degrees or more. Photos below.

 

[cchhcc]

Outstanding! Thanks for the help!

 

[FishDog]

Tap Plastics has several polyester resins, which one did you use?

 

[Anythingfish]

Tap Plastics has several polyester resins, which one did you use?

I used the following Tap Plastics resin, [COLOR="Blue"]www.tapplastics.com[/COLOR] to seal my 8,000-gallon outdoor aquarium.

TAP Isophthalic High-Strength Resin
High-Strength Isophthalic is a thixotropic, low-viscosity polyester resin with excellent heat and chemical resistance. It is corrosion, temperature, solvent, and fuel resistant. It has superior wet-out and meets NSF-14 and MIL-R-7575C standards. It gels in 15 to 20 minutes. The final coat requires the addition of TAP Surface Curing Agent. Applications include pipes, tooling, and other uses requiring high strength, temperature, and corrosion resistance. Catalyst sold separately. Available in 5 and 50 gallon sizes by phone order only: (800) 246-5055 Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm (PST).

I achieved the blue color using their coloring agent; see Pigments & Dyes, mixed in with the resin. This resin can be applied one coat on top of another to build up to the desired thickness. To the final coat, add Wax, Tap’s Surface Curing Agent. In the corners and in areas where there is a gap to fill add a thickening power, see their Resin Fillers.

After filling all the gaps, I laid down six-inch wide 8.6-ounce fiberglass tape cloth, see Fiberglass Fabrics, over all seams and in all corners. I used a lightweight staple gun to hold the material in place when the resin was applied; it is important to keep the glass cloth smooth and flat with no air bubbles. Glass cloth provides added strength to the structure.

There are other resins, which work well such as epoxy however; I chose a resin, which I have worked with over the years. I wanted a nearby supplier where I could quickly purchase more materials, if needed, and return for a full credit any unused/unopened material.

 

[cvermeulen]

Should be noted that polyester resin is less toxic to humans when uncured than most epoxies, cheaper than all worthwhile epoxies, and yes, readily available.

I'm glad to see someone having used isopthalic polyester with such success on an aquarium. Should put to bed all the speculation that it's not fish safe and not 100% water proof.

I want to use fiberglass and tooling gelcoat to finish the inside of my monster that's in the planning stage. I'm planning on building the panels individually however, doing the seams with something like DOW 832, such that it can theoretically be disassembled and moved.

 

[ALLafricancichlids]

it looks kinda dirty but i like it

 

[Anythingfish]

it looks kinda dirty but i like it

The 8,000-gallon outdoor aquarium looks better at night. The daylight makes it difficult to get an accurate picture through the window. With the new filter setup, it is possible to read a newspaper through the water 12 feet away. An aquarium this size requires lots of filtration and a big water turnover.

 

[cvermeulen]

With the new filter setup, it is possible to read a newspaper through the water 12 feet away.

How would to possibly test that? Or are you using some artistic literary license here.