Matt's 5000ltr Display
- Thread starter d3hree
- Start date
d3hree
New member
I added a flange to the surge tank ( on GRP Matt's suggestion) so it would be easier for Matt to fold the fibreglass over the edges without creating an air void.
I also sanded a radius onto the edges.
Both the main DT and the surge tank should now be ready for fibreglassing next week.
d3hree
New member
I finally got around to painting and re-installing the door to the fish room.
For my Birthday last year my wife copied my RC avatar and had it printed as a plaque.
I added a paper towel dispenser to the inside of the door
and finally got around to installing an old UV over the QT tank.
For my Birthday last year my wife copied my RC avatar and had it printed as a plaque.
I added a paper towel dispenser to the inside of the door
and finally got around to installing an old UV over the QT tank.
Crazy_Beaver
New member
WOW great progress!Everything looking awesome!
Good to see the top of the smaller tank flanged.
Can't see any issues with the main tank from the photos, most useful Matt.
The weir poses a technial challenge and I've already planned how the grp will be applied, stage by stage. First thing is to score all that smooth wood with a stanley knife- sorry mate, hate to do it but it does need doing.
I'll see you on Wednesday.
Regards.
Matt
Can't see any issues with the main tank from the photos, most useful Matt.
The weir poses a technial challenge and I've already planned how the grp will be applied, stage by stage. First thing is to score all that smooth wood with a stanley knife- sorry mate, hate to do it but it does need doing.
I'll see you on Wednesday.
Regards.
Matt
dave.m
Active member
GRP Matt, I would like to know about the sharpness of some of those edges. Perhaps when you've seen the tank in person you could let us know what all needs to be changed or re-sanded or redone to meet the needs of your process. It would help my understanding of how to build and prepare a tank for a fiberglass lining.
Thx
Dave.M
Thx
Dave.M
d3hree
New member
Thanks Crazy_Beaver
Cheers Ash. I am pretty used to it now and so is the wife thankfully but I suppose it is pretty big.
Cheers Matt..I will have a measure up and let you know the vital sizes too.
Hi Dave. Matt came to see the tank back in November IIRC. From what he told me the most difficult aspect of fibreglassing is the external corners. I use the term loosely but apparently it's "easy" to get a good edge on an internal corner. External corners, especially tight ones, are harder to do because the fibreglass doesnt want to bend and give a sharp 90 degree edge. It will lift up and potentially cause air pockets between the wood and fibreglass. Therefore is was important to sand a radius to extenal edges so that the fibreglass can fold over them easily.
I hope that when seeing the tank Matt doesnt need to re-sand or change anything.
dazzer slk
New member
question
question
Hi Matt love this so far ,how easy is it to get your front panel in do you juat try and aim at the back corner?
Also if its not too rude to ask GRP Matt what the cost per sq ft or metre priceing a 12x4x4
please update
regards
Dazzer
question
Hi Matt love this so far ,how easy is it to get your front panel in do you juat try and aim at the back corner?
Also if its not too rude to ask GRP Matt what the cost per sq ft or metre priceing a 12x4x4
please update
regards
Dazzer
d3hree
New member
Hi Dave..yes I mean a convex corner. The larger the better I would say..Matt can confirm but at a guess I would say a 5mm radius atleast.
Thanks Prospec1
Hi Dazzer
I will mock up the front glass out of timber to ensure I have a plan of action when it arrives. Essentially the glass will be around 2" bigger than the hole on each edge but because the tank is pretty big front to back and 12" deeper than the hole it should be just a case like you say of aiming it in to the corner and rotating it round.
I will pm you Matt's details so you can speak to him.
Have to say what a treat working for Matt on his aquarium was .
Every aspect of the preparation work was done to perfection with every detail Matt and I discussed being done in excess of my requests.
First I scored the timber, maybe not necessary but good practise from a long time ago during my training. Secondly I applied a coat of resin to the entire tank. This ensures the resin from the fibreglass layup isn't sucked into the timber causing any pre release issues. Release of the fibreglass from the ply again probably was nothing of concern but I was taught well and put everything I was taught into doing this job properly. A job of this magnitude deserves every bit of respect as you'll see if you read the entire thread.
Next I sealed the weir with the multiple tank connectors (bulkheads) holes. The holes were glassed over then cut out during a certain time of the cure. Then it was onto the top brace bar and top flanges leaving only flat panels to seal and the window frame recess.
I opted for a 3mm nominal thickness grp system with surface tissue as the final glass layer to remove the unsightly fibre pattern seen in some applications. Surface tissue gives an incredibly smooth finish.
Having left the grp to cure for an alloted time
it was ready to sand down and scrutinize everything prior to applying the black flowcoat.
Once fully sanded I applied the flowcoat in two stages. The complex weir and brace bars firstly then moving down to the relatively straightforward window and flat panels. An exit through the window left the floor to finish and I was welcomed with yet another cup of tea and fish and chips!
I worked on a freshwater singray tank a couple of years back and it's really satisfying to take a break from my normal line of work on koi carp ponds to face challenges like these and as I said, it was a pleasure to work for Matt and I'll tune into the thread to see how progress goes from here.
Best wishes Matt, big step forward in the build now.......
Matt.
Every aspect of the preparation work was done to perfection with every detail Matt and I discussed being done in excess of my requests.
First I scored the timber, maybe not necessary but good practise from a long time ago during my training. Secondly I applied a coat of resin to the entire tank. This ensures the resin from the fibreglass layup isn't sucked into the timber causing any pre release issues. Release of the fibreglass from the ply again probably was nothing of concern but I was taught well and put everything I was taught into doing this job properly. A job of this magnitude deserves every bit of respect as you'll see if you read the entire thread.
Next I sealed the weir with the multiple tank connectors (bulkheads) holes. The holes were glassed over then cut out during a certain time of the cure. Then it was onto the top brace bar and top flanges leaving only flat panels to seal and the window frame recess.
I opted for a 3mm nominal thickness grp system with surface tissue as the final glass layer to remove the unsightly fibre pattern seen in some applications. Surface tissue gives an incredibly smooth finish.
Having left the grp to cure for an alloted time
it was ready to sand down and scrutinize everything prior to applying the black flowcoat. Once fully sanded I applied the flowcoat in two stages. The complex weir and brace bars firstly then moving down to the relatively straightforward window and flat panels. An exit through the window left the floor to finish and I was welcomed with yet another cup of tea and fish and chips!
I worked on a freshwater singray tank a couple of years back and it's really satisfying to take a break from my normal line of work on koi carp ponds to face challenges like these and as I said, it was a pleasure to work for Matt and I'll tune into the thread to see how progress goes from here.
Best wishes Matt, big step forward in the build now.......
Matt.
Metal Man 1221
FMMAS Executive Director
Very nice! It looks great.
