My wood tank build
- Thread starter dsandfort
- Start date
Hey Del,
I am about to start my build and am using Tankwatch and your threads as reference. I was wondering what you will be putting on the outside to seal/waterproof the wood? Is that what the Epoxy paint is for? How do/did you seal the bulkhead holes?
Thanks for your help as I am unsure this was mentioned in the previous posts.
KW
I am about to start my build and am using Tankwatch and your threads as reference. I was wondering what you will be putting on the outside to seal/waterproof the wood? Is that what the Epoxy paint is for? How do/did you seal the bulkhead holes?
Thanks for your help as I am unsure this was mentioned in the previous posts.
KW
Here is a link H2OENG
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1052033
Spelled the name wrong though it's tank watch
KW
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1052033
Spelled the name wrong though it's tank watch
KW
dsandfort
Premium Member
Hey KW-
I used 3 coats of epoxy and 1 layer of fiberglass on the outside. My plan is to coat the outside with a good varnish as I don't want to hide the fact that it is a wood tank.
The paint is for the inside as I want it black and I think that the wood look would distract from the viewing. I'm using Sweetwater epoxy in black.
I sealed the bulkhead holes with more epoxy. 5-6 coats as i recall. Theoretically, they will never be wet...touching wood now.
Chris-
Try some Eagle Rare..seriously.
I used 3 coats of epoxy and 1 layer of fiberglass on the outside. My plan is to coat the outside with a good varnish as I don't want to hide the fact that it is a wood tank.
The paint is for the inside as I want it black and I think that the wood look would distract from the viewing. I'm using Sweetwater epoxy in black.
I sealed the bulkhead holes with more epoxy. 5-6 coats as i recall. Theoretically, they will never be wet...touching wood now.
Chris-
Try some Eagle Rare..seriously.
dsandfort
Premium Member
Setting the glass tomorrow. It's 2 pieces of 3/8" Starphire laminated to make 3/4".
I decided to set the glass before painting so the silicone would be in contact with the epoxy. I didn't want to take the chance that the paint would lift down the line and allow the silicone to pull away from the structure. After the initial cure, I'll clean up the waste, paint and run a final bead around the perimeter.
I glued some 1/8" square acrylic rod pieces in the center of the sealing surface every 18". My thought is that no matter how much silicone squeezes out, the glass can't get closer than 1/8" of the face frame. No matter what, there will be at least that 1/8" gasket of silicone.
If anyone sees any fatal flaws, please speak up now. It will be a done deal tomorrow at this time.
Thanks,
Del
I decided to set the glass before painting so the silicone would be in contact with the epoxy. I didn't want to take the chance that the paint would lift down the line and allow the silicone to pull away from the structure. After the initial cure, I'll clean up the waste, paint and run a final bead around the perimeter.
I glued some 1/8" square acrylic rod pieces in the center of the sealing surface every 18". My thought is that no matter how much silicone squeezes out, the glass can't get closer than 1/8" of the face frame. No matter what, there will be at least that 1/8" gasket of silicone.
If anyone sees any fatal flaws, please speak up now. It will be a done deal tomorrow at this time.
Thanks,
Del
Misfit6669
In Memoriam
Besides a big hole in the side of the tank, I think all is good.
samson78945
New member
such an awesome build!!
dsandfort
Premium Member
Thanks Marc-you know, the whole glass thing was kind of a let down. About a half hour of work and now it just sets waiting for the silicone to cure.
Anyhow, we used 10 tubes of silicone and more than that volume of other liquids never to be disclosed (secret recipe).
We just smeared it on at about 3/8" thick, walked the glass in and then flipped the tank on it's face and let gravity run its course.
Lots of waste but I sure didn't want to be needing more silicone after the fact.
I'm real glad I put in the 1/8" square acrylic. The weight of the glass (190 pounds) pushed it through the silicone like butter. If the standoffs were not there, the glass would have pushed out most of the silicone leaving a pretty skimpy seal. I still need to seal all around the inside edge of the glass so all told, there will be about 2 1/4" of sealing area all aroune the glass.
Next up, 2 coats of 2-part paint on all inside surfaces and then the final caulk around the glass.
Anyhow, we used 10 tubes of silicone and more than that volume of other liquids never to be disclosed (secret recipe).
We just smeared it on at about 3/8" thick, walked the glass in and then flipped the tank on it's face and let gravity run its course.
Lots of waste but I sure didn't want to be needing more silicone after the fact.
I'm real glad I put in the 1/8" square acrylic. The weight of the glass (190 pounds) pushed it through the silicone like butter. If the standoffs were not there, the glass would have pushed out most of the silicone leaving a pretty skimpy seal. I still need to seal all around the inside edge of the glass so all told, there will be about 2 1/4" of sealing area all aroune the glass.
Next up, 2 coats of 2-part paint on all inside surfaces and then the final caulk around the glass.
Misfit6669
In Memoriam
Del, Del, please don't tell me that's a miller lite bottle in the trash. I think you may have just lost some major points in my book.
dsandfort
Premium Member
KW-
I used GE RTV100 Series (108 is clear). GE does not recommend it for anything (imagine that), however, they do state that many people who build tanks use this silicone.
B-
What can I say. It was late, I was hot, she was...uh...available. It meant nothing. Back to 5 barrel.
I used GE RTV100 Series (108 is clear). GE does not recommend it for anything (imagine that), however, they do state that many people who build tanks use this silicone.
B-
What can I say. It was late, I was hot, she was...uh...available. It meant nothing. Back to 5 barrel.
Misfit6669
In Memoriam
I'm not happy at all, you have Fat Tire right down the street and you are drinking that crap. You know, Brandi really respected you, just wait till I tell her about this.
NanoReefWanabe
Active member
for all that work i would have just used AGA silicone and have been done with it and all the worrying of what is leaching into the tank water...with that being said it looks amazing, i was affraid of the standoffs creating pressure points on the glass, i wonder if there is something softer that could be used and still give you a very desirable 1/8" silicone gasket, i would think that a consistant 1/2 to 3/4" bead of silicone along the inside of the tank would suffice with the what would have been minimal (standoffless) gasket. since the weight of the water would always be pushing the glass tight to the frame...the big concern here would be deflection in the top rail of the front of the tank pulling the frame from the glass...but i thik you will have taken care of that with the angle iron...
this is a very nice tank build...well done, i am excited for you to get it wet...do you have somewhere level in your garage you can test fill it? or is it going to its final resting spot for wet testing?
best of luck i really hope all holds well for you..
this is a very nice tank build...well done, i am excited for you to get it wet...do you have somewhere level in your garage you can test fill it? or is it going to its final resting spot for wet testing?
best of luck i really hope all holds well for you..
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