700g Plywood build.
- Thread starter KW-Reefer
- Start date
Del, Guys, Anyone.
I have a leak. In the lower right corner. I thought that I had found it and patched it but no dice...... It is a pinhole leak so I have no faith in finding it. Should I re-coat with epoxy or use a paint in pond liner. Any thoughts?
Please help as I am watching my dream slip away.
Thanks
James
I have a leak. In the lower right corner. I thought that I had found it and patched it but no dice...... It is a pinhole leak so I have no faith in finding it. Should I re-coat with epoxy or use a paint in pond liner. Any thoughts?
Please help as I am watching my dream slip away.
Thanks
James
ChrisB
New member
Very sorry to hear that.
Paint in pond liner? I'm familiar with using a pond liner but not with the "paint in".
I've already decided that if mine develops a leak I am going to have it sprayed with a thick layer of Line-X. I will wash it out several times after giving it plenty of time to cure. A number of people are of the opinion that this could possibly work without leaking anything into the water column.
The only problem I see with the epoxy paints are that they are not the least bit flexible. Very brittle. All it takes is a hairline crack and WHAM you're screwed.
How long before you saw the leak? I put water in mine about 3 days ago, haven't seen any signs of a leak (yet)...
Paint in pond liner? I'm familiar with using a pond liner but not with the "paint in".
I've already decided that if mine develops a leak I am going to have it sprayed with a thick layer of Line-X. I will wash it out several times after giving it plenty of time to cure. A number of people are of the opinion that this could possibly work without leaking anything into the water column.
The only problem I see with the epoxy paints are that they are not the least bit flexible. Very brittle. All it takes is a hairline crack and WHAM you're screwed.
How long before you saw the leak? I put water in mine about 3 days ago, haven't seen any signs of a leak (yet)...
dsandfort
Premium Member
Well shoot! Do you think the leak is around the glass or through the structure? If around the glass, a total re-seal might be in order. If structure, you might want to look at the Sani-Tread material that Wayne used for his 1200 horseshoe tank. I think is has some flex to it.
You might also want to dye the water to try and track down the leak. Food coloring in the water and then wrap the tank with white paper towels and hope to spot the stain. If it's a bottom leak, reseal the bottom.
Jeeze James, I hope we (you) can get this sorted out. Keep hollering, I'll help as I can.
Del
You might also want to dye the water to try and track down the leak. Food coloring in the water and then wrap the tank with white paper towels and hope to spot the stain. If it's a bottom leak, reseal the bottom.
Jeeze James, I hope we (you) can get this sorted out. Keep hollering, I'll help as I can.
Del
thriceanangel
New member
I would use sanitred, then re epoxy over it like mad. Pour it on, don't brush or roll it on. Don't give up though. Keep on doing it until you get it sealed. Don't use the sani tred unless you plan on covering it with epoxy though, it's NOT UV resistant and will break down.
But the viscosity and flex might be enough to get your leak covered, then use the epoxy over it.
But the viscosity and flex might be enough to get your leak covered, then use the epoxy over it.
I found a product called Herculiner. I have talked with the distributor and they said that they have used it on bait tanks, Game fish holding tanks and in ponds. They also sell a UV protectant that is non-toxic and safe for those uses also. Think I will go this route as this stuff is strong and very resistant to what I will put it through. What do you guys think?
Thanks for the ideas..........I just can't give up, Never have before and won't start now........
James
Thanks for the ideas..........I just can't give up, Never have before and won't start now........
James
neverwouldof
Member
good luck with your leak, i'm enjoying your thread
Sorry to hear about the leak.
In reviewing the thread, it was not clear how many coats of epoxy you put on (2 or 3)?
A few years back I built a low vat with plywood and epoxy. (Sorry no pictures.) I found that I was not comfortable with it until I put on more coats of epoxy than I expected to. I had to order more epoxy, pay for the extra cost shipping, do a lot of sanding, coating, and it took a lot of time. But, given how much all the rest of a system typically costs, it seemed to be worth it to reduce the risk of a leak. I have not had any trouble with it since I filled it. The extra coats provides peace of mind.
So, I would consider taking the time to add additional full coats over the remainder of the interior.
In reviewing the thread, it was not clear how many coats of epoxy you put on (2 or 3)?
A few years back I built a low vat with plywood and epoxy. (Sorry no pictures.) I found that I was not comfortable with it until I put on more coats of epoxy than I expected to. I had to order more epoxy, pay for the extra cost shipping, do a lot of sanding, coating, and it took a lot of time. But, given how much all the rest of a system typically costs, it seemed to be worth it to reduce the risk of a leak. I have not had any trouble with it since I filled it. The extra coats provides peace of mind.
So, I would consider taking the time to add additional full coats over the remainder of the interior.
reefkoi
Premium Member
That's a bummer, I suppose it's the risk with any large tank especially a homeade wooden one!
Good luck with it though.
BTW what corals are you planning on? I just saw the 2 dart pumps and that's really low flow for a 700, I have 3 hammerheads and 3 more 5200 gph tunzes so the equivalent of 6 hammerheads on a 600. I started my tank with only 1 hammerhead and 1 dart and thought I would have tons of flow to spare, but big tanks really do need mucho flow I had way to many dead spots and cyano started from the lack of flow.
Good luck with it though.
BTW what corals are you planning on? I just saw the 2 dart pumps and that's really low flow for a 700, I have 3 hammerheads and 3 more 5200 gph tunzes so the equivalent of 6 hammerheads on a 600. I started my tank with only 1 hammerhead and 1 dart and thought I would have tons of flow to spare, but big tanks really do need mucho flow I had way to many dead spots and cyano started from the lack of flow.
I'm talking with my local Line-X dealer. He has indicated that he has done this type of thing for a local trout farming operation and I am just waiting for his quote as he will be doing this on site. I have unfortunately lost most of my corals during the move I think, but we will see if they pull through.
I am losing my phone service periodically due to wiring issues in my sub division hopefully this is the last time. Granted it was almost 4 days.
Thanks for the votes of confidence.......
James
I am losing my phone service periodically due to wiring issues in my sub division hopefully this is the last time. Granted it was almost 4 days.
Thanks for the votes of confidence.......
James
