What is everyone useing for epoxy on a plywood tank?

[reefnewbie54321]

I am looking for a cheap but still effective epoxy to seal the inside of a DIY plywood tank. All I found was stuff that was ridiculasly expensive.

If anyone has some left over from any of there projects that they want to sell me that would be cool to.

[alpine]

1 part epoxy from HD or Lowes.Lots of people on here have argued that it diesnt work and not to use.If you ask tgreene you will see that he built his plywood frag tank 96" X 48" X 12" ,and used the 1 part epoxy to seal it with.Actually he used the bondo brand epoxy first for the fiberglassing,and then went over that with the 1 part epoxy.Good thing about the 1 part,its like $26 a gal.

[Fiziksgeek]

You should tell us what you have found so we know what not to recommend...

I assume you are talking about the West System epoxy when you say expensive. Less expensive than that are things like Raka and US Composites. Less expensive then that...well...lets just say I wouldnt trust a tank made from anything less.

IMO success with epoxies depends significantly on the structure you are putting it on. The stronger the structure, the less work the epoxy has to do. And likewise, the lower quality the epoxy, the stronger your structure needs to be....

[Urban_Squrill]

When you say the 1 part epoxy are you talking about Epoxy-seal (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=16112-2174-921001&lpage=none)

[JaredWaites]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11817639#post11817639 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Urban_Squrill
When you say the 1 part epoxy are you talking about Epoxy-seal (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=16112-2174-921001&lpage=none)


No, that product is used for concrete. Notice it says Seal Krete up top?

Look at the description as well...its not made for fiberglass work.

http://cgi.ebay.com/EPOXY-RESIN-for-fiberglass-cloth-4-gal-kit-only-180_W0QQitemZ220198166222QQihZ012QQcategoryZ26451QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This is what you need for a large tank. But you can get by if your doing a small tank with a gallon.

One of those 1 gallon containers is your hardener and the other three are the catalyst.

[blice]

I used Sweetwaters 2 part epoxy sold by Aquatic Eco-Systems on my 350g tank and 150g capacity sump. Use in a well ventilated area.

[alpine]

Urban_Squrill
Yes you can use that epoxy.I was actually talking about the Behr brand,but its the same stuff.

Heres a thread for you guys to read.

http://www.reefland.com/forum/diy/21616-plywood-tank-build-totw-5-7-07-a.html

I have been building fiberglass motorcycle fairings and custom speaker boxes for 8 yrs now,and the more expensive epoxy is not needed in this application as long as you make your tank well like Fiziksgeek stated.

make sure you use good wood screws every few inches,a quality wood glues (like gorilla glue) on all seams,and added support in all the cornes inside the tank.I have also notice on a lot of plywodd tank buils that people are useing fiberglass cloth for there seams.Personally I would use chop mat instead as its stronger and better for the seams.

Of course these are just my opinions and you can do what you feel works for you.

[ReefEnabler]

hey guys,

how exactly do epoxy paints differ from these kinds of 'epoxy resins' you are using?

I have 2 forms of epoxy paint right now, both from sherwin williams

1 part Pre-catalyzed Epoxy Paint
http://www.sherlink.com/sher-link/ImgServ?id=datapages/pro_ind_precat_semigloss_113-02.pdf

2 part Wated based Tile-Clad Epoxy Paint
http://www.sherlink.com/sher-link/ImgServ?id=datapages/waterbased_tile-clad_epoxy_finish_4-19.pdf

Is the 2-part good enough for continuous submersion.

Also,
I have Bondo 'Fiberglass Resin'
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=6119&BASE
looks just like that. is it the same as epoxy resin? I notice alot of people seem to use fiberflass/resin interchangebly. Is that stuff safe?

Also, I'm a bit confused if you are supposed to put in the fiberglass/resin first or paint first.

Thanks!

[virginiadiver69]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11818657#post11818657 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by alpine
I have also notice on a lot of plywodd tank buils that people are useing fiberglass cloth for there seams.Personally I would use chop mat instead as its stronger and better for the seams.

Are you talking about the stuff that is blown on with a chopper gun? If I remember right it. adds the resin at the same time?

[reefnewbie54321]

I probably should have added this is the first place but the tank is technicly not ging to hold water.

I am building a 48 x 24 x 12h Algae Turf Scrubber. It has 7 gallons surged in to it every 10-30 seconds. The tank itself will only hold 7 gallons tops before it drains away. I just need it waterproof.

I will be going with the epoxy alpine reccomended mainly becuase I'm not building a heavy duty tank ... I just dont feel like paying 300.00 for a custom tank.