Extra-Large Tank Upgrade Project to begin

[houston220]

Air Entraining agents are mixed in the concrete as are corrosion inhibitors. They are reasonably common on bridge decks to keep salt from attacking the rebar.

The superplasticizer makes the concrete flow better as if you had added more water to the mixiture. The more water, the lower the strength (in general terms).

If you are already asking the concrete company to add other "ingredients" to the concrete, have them check before adding any other items. They all have effects.

You also need to get some advice on coating the wood with some form release agent as well as a curing compound which is put on the concrete after the forms are removed to help keep the concrete from cracking. Some of these chemicals may not be good for saltwater tanks. I would ask someone that has built a concrete tank before.

 

[sixxer]

Houston,

I am having Fiber-Mesh mixed into the concrete and using Acrol-60 (I think that is the name) for my release agent on the plywood,

The inside walls and top of the concrete are going to be coated with Sweetwater 2 part epoxy (3 coats) about 30 days after the concrete is poured to make the tank safe for livestock.

 

[sambo]

All I can say is................DAMN!!!! That's one sweet outfit you got going there!

 

[CH]

One thought, and I don't know if this has been covered yet, but a few threads back there was discussion about one pour, vs two pours, cold joints etc. There is a product called hydrotite by a company called Greenstreak

http://www.greenstreak.com/div3/Waterstops/hydrotite.asp

We have used this on several pools, and it is a great product. If you have any places that would need a watertight seal (between the floor and bottom of the wall for example) I would look into it.
It is basically a gooey rubber that expands when it gets wet, sealing the cold joint in the concrete tightly.

If you have already figured out all of the waterproofing, I apologize, but maybe somebody else might find it useful!

 

[houston220]

The fiber mesh is great stuff. It adds an incredible amount of crack control strength to the concrete. I am not familiar with that brand of form release but there are literally hundreds.

It looks like you have done lots of research and planning. Can't wait to see this tank with a few years of growth.

 

[TANGBOY5000]

Thanks for the link CH, I'll find something to use that on.

 

[SaltwaterNovice]

Sixxer:

You might want to check into adding a strengthening agent to the concrete. I believe the common trade names are micro fume or micro silica. This compound is used in concrete that will be used in underwater applications.

It is supposed to significantly increase the concretes strength. If I remeber correctly, it will turn 3,000 psi concrete to 10,000 psi concrete.

Keep up the good work.

Best,

Brian

 

[snowroach]

Wow, looks amazing, any more recent pics?

 

[Muligan]

wow this is going to be an awsome set up can't wait for some more pics..

 

[sixxer]

I hopefully will have some new pics. up later tonight. I have all the wall ties and anchoring system at my house and just need to plug it all together!!!!!

So if all goes well tonight, the forms will be finished and ready for the concrete.

I am still kind of up in the air on whether to plumb 2 closed loops along with my returns, and then a possible surge tank return as well!!!!!

 

[TANGBOY5000]

Why don't you just go ahead and put all the holes in for those systems, and then if you decide to do it GREAT, if not just cap off the pipes. That will give you the most flexibility, because you only get to pour it once.

 

[sixxer]

Why don't you just go ahead and put all the holes in for those systems, and then if you decide to do it GREAT, if not just cap off the pipes. That will give you the most flexibility, because you only get to pour it once.

Might just have to go that route.

 

[Steve M UK]

Just caught this thread... great stuff and good luck!

 

[Steve M UK]

Just caught this thread... great stuff and good luck!

 

[H20ENG]

I'm with Tangboy. And put in ten more while you are at it You will always find a use for them later.

 

[sixxer]

Having trouble loading my photos for some reason, but here are a couple from tonight.

 

[sixxer]

One more for tonight.

 

[sixxer]

Two more

Basically at this point I have the wall-ties running thru both pieces of plywood on all the forms, and then each wall-tie is anchored by those latch mechanisms you see every two feet on the forms, you then insert 2x4's and crank down the latches to give your forms the support for the weight of the concrete. Still have a few things left to do before concrete can be poured, but hopefully that will all be done tonight.

Will drill all my holes for returns, CL's, Surge, etc. tonight as well and insert the PVC sleeves.

 

[TANGBOY5000]

How many screws do you think you've gone through now?

 

[sixxer]

Too many to count!!!! And not finished yet!!!!!!!