DIY Fish Tank Via Epoxy?

dimik · Aug 14, 2020

I'm actually in the progress of building a cabinet for the location. I plan on starting this project in 1-2 months. I'll post here and also start a new build thread when I get it going.

GBRsouth · Aug 14, 2020

dimik said:
Someone give this man (or woman) a nobel

Glad to be of service!

Mick.

r20crazy · Aug 14, 2020

have fun buffing that out so its clear and not wavy... ANY imperfection is a possible failure point (pouring/curing/drying or buff), just like in a glass or acrylic tank. i wouldnt spend my time or $ trying.. i like my floors dry as possible.

dimik · Aug 14, 2020

r20crazy said:
have fun buffing that out so its clear and not wavy... ANY imperfection is a possible failure point (pouring/curing/drying or buff), just like in a glass or acrylic tank. i wouldnt spend my time or $ trying.. i like my floors dry as possible.

I've been working with epoxy for a few years and not once did I have to buff anything nor get any waves. Way to be a negative nancy

r20crazy · Aug 14, 2020

dimik said:
I've been working with epoxy for a few years and not once did I have to buff anything nor get any waves. Way to be a negative nancy

just a realist.... you asked for our thoughts on the issue, i gave my $0.02. Do what u will with it... i'll find $0.98 more and get a popcorn to watch this not happen.

Shooter6 · Aug 15, 2020

look up plywood tanks with pond shield. On youtube

pdxmonkeyboy · Aug 15, 2020

I would be very skeptical about epoxy holding water loads. Epoxy by itself is not that strong.. at all. Epoxy and fiberglass or carbon fiber, yeah, but not pure epoxy resin.

It will certainly yellow without UV inhibitors mixed in. Lastly..epoxy is NOT cheap..at all.

Those are my thoughts anyways.

dimik · Aug 15, 2020

r20crazy said:
just a realist.... you asked for our thoughts on the issue, i gave my $0.02. Do what u will with it... i'll find $0.98 more and get a popcorn to watch this not happen.

Realist? LOL more like troll,. Epoxy Cast resin has higher compression, tensil & flexural strength than concrete, you just wanted to try and sound smart with a passive aggressive tone.

xxkenny90xx · Aug 15, 2020

Don't listen to these guys, I've chatted with @pdxmonkeyboy before, he's one of those Portland crazies

pdxmonkeyboy · Aug 15, 2020

I would respond to that but i am currently trying to burn down the federal courthouse downtown.

But yeah, a solid epoxy tank is strong, economical, and practical. That is why you see soo many of them around.

pdxmonkeyboy · Aug 15, 2020

By the way.. that is a savage popcorn gif. lol

xxkenny90xx · Aug 15, 2020

pdxmonkeyboy said:
I would respond to that but i am currently trying to burn down the federal courthouse downtown.

Aren't we all

Devaji · Aug 15, 2020

do keep us posted. I like the idea of a small nano or pico 1st before you spend the time and $$$. but I am intrigued.

I also was gonna suggest a plywood tank. what shape are you trying to make?

dimik · Aug 15, 2020

Devaji said:
do keep us posted. I like the idea of a small nano or pico 1st before you spend the time and $$$. but I am intrigued.

I also was gonna suggest a plywood tank. what shape are you trying to make?

It's a weird corner in my house thats half round half angled lol

dimik · Aug 15, 2020

pdxmonkeyboy said:
I would respond to that but i am currently trying to burn down the federal courthouse downtown.

But yeah, a solid epoxy tank is strong, economical, and practical. That is why you see soo many of them around.

A solid epoxy tank would be stronger than any glass or acrylic tank cut and seamed using silicon lol. Casting resin is also affordable idk what you are thinking of. You don't see them around because the labor cost would be to high. If you can DIY it you're golden.

People make plywood tanks ***. You can break plywood by stepping on it and bending it lol. The same can't be said for 1/2" thick resin.

4tanks · Aug 15, 2020

I be Interest in the result of this as I build wooden boats for a living and work with epoxy everyday and on its own without a binding silica powder is quiete brittle and also large amounts of epoxy exotherm get seriously hot I'd be Interested to see what resin is used and how strong it is so following

Ulm_nano_diybudgetreef · Aug 15, 2020

dimik said:
Funny you mentioned that. I was up till 2am thinking of ways to do it and that was my final solution. The only concern I have with that method is not being able to see or eliminate any possible bubbles.

Yes the bubbles are the issue. I think you can pour about an inch per 24hrs (depending on brand) to allow the bubbles out and still have a seamless finish as it wont be fully cured. This will only affect the tank walls, as the base you can do in a single pour.

Imagine this happening like slip form in high rise concrete core construction.

dimik · Aug 15, 2020

4tanks said:
I be Interest in the result of this as I build wooden boats for a living and work with epoxy everyday and on its own without a binding silica powder is quiete brittle and also large amounts of epoxy exotherm get seriously hot I'd be Interested to see what resin is used and how strong it is so following

Its most likely going to be the Liquid Glass. Its the only resin that allows a 2" pour. Waiting on strength specs from manufacturer.

I'll test it on a small tank before attenpting a large build. Worse case scenario ill have to just make each panel seperately and then bond them.

dimik · Aug 15, 2020

Ulm_nano_diybudgetreef said:
Yes the bubbles are the issue. I think you can pour about an inch per 24hrs (depending on brand) to allow the bubbles out and still have a seamless finish as it wont be fully cured. This will only affect the tank walls, as the base you can do in a single pour.

Imagine this happening like slip form in high rise concrete core construction.

most likely going to be the Liquid Glass. Its the only resin that allows a 2" pour. Waiting on strength specs from manufacturer.

I'll test it on a small tank before attenpting a large build. Worse case scenario ill have to just make each panel seperately and then bond them

dimik · Aug 15, 2020

dimik said:
Its most likely going to be the Liquid Glass. Its the only resin that allows a 2" pour. Waiting on strength specs from manufacturer.

I'll test it on a small tank before attenpting a large build. Worse case scenario ill have to just make each panel seperately and then bond them.

If i go the panel route I can also add a 1/4" notch along the each edge and inset it into the next panel pour. This way it doesn't only get a flat surface bond.