415 Gallon Plywood Tank Build

acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/660#post_3348057
The videos look good Shawn. So do you think you are going to like the backround on the tank? I'll trade you some sanding work for some epoxy work.
I hope so!!!!!! I have the finish test piece I want to take a pic of and post.....I'm really impressed how it came out.....I still have a little time before I get to epoxying the back of the tank....I have the sample piece sitting around so every now and then I can glance at it....Maybe I'll take a pic of it sitting in the tank to get everyones opinion.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/660#post_3348058
That is good to know Shawn - I want to make a huge trough pond for the deck this summer 8 foot long maybe an L-shaped - each side 8 ft long - I can use that epoxy with plywood.
Yes you can use West Systems, MAS, 3 Systems, US Composites. All are safe for our application and use. The last 2 I listed are a little cheaper than the first 2. The first 2 IMO are industry leaders in epoxy. The last 1 listed US Composites, has been used quite a bit, but the biggest complaint is that it takes forever for it to setup and harden....That's the biggest complaint with that brand, but they list it on their site, that it take a long time....So at least they are honest.....
 
kzoobenjamin

kzoobenjamin

New Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/620#post_3344902
I've been around here forever and going to ask a stupid question....What the H3ll does IIRC mean?

IIRC = If I Recall Correctly
Nice build so far. To be honest, I skimmed it pretty quickly so I might have missed it but do you have a running tally of your expenses to date, how much you think it will cost overall, and what the electricity bill impact will be once it's up and running?
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Yeah i'd like to see the finished product. BTW, have you ever tried working the bubbles out of the epoxy with a heat gun before or do you think a torch is the best way?
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
That's funny!!!!! Honestly I never, ever go into a build with any intention of keeping track of what I spent or will spend......I'm only here on the earth a short time, and I want to enjoy it, and I came into the world broke, and plan leaving the same way......No seriously, I don't keep track, for the simple fact I know that the price if I bought something custom made either acrylic or glass it's well beyond what I'm actually willing to spend....
Plywood I used Poplar because of overall finish and appearance where most just paint I want a piece of furniture, so I can be proud of all my hard work and effort into the project
(2) 4x8 sheets of Poplar plywood $80.00
(8) gallons of West epoxy and hardner...... $1240.00
(4) Pigment to tint the epoxy $60.00
(1) set of West Epoxy metering pumps $13.00
Steel for tank reinforcement $50.00
Biaxial Fiberglass cloth $70.00
Misc. Wood for the tank $200.00
Stand & Canopy and trim work........ $??????
Total tentatively $1,713.00
That figure is close to the best of my knowledge, but I'm sure there's tons of misc things I've forgotten like cheapo tupperware containers to mix the epoxy, mixing spoons,sand paper tons of it, and countless trips to Lowes and HomeDepot. Tarps and plastic sheathing......Gloves, and you'll use tons of them......
I also had the cost of doing the fishroom as well, and we won't even try to track what I spent there, cause it's never done, and we won't even get into all the trim goodies for the stand and canopy, but I'm pretty sure when you look at all the work done and involved it was never about trying to save a buck, but trying to push my limits and abilities to the max and do something different.......
As far as electrical consumption this tank will be more efficient than my 240.....My 240 has a 1HP chiller that runs a bit in the summer, and MH's over the 240 are also a killer on electric. The new setup will still use the Reeflo pumps, that I swear by and wouldn't use anything else on a tank, but instead of the traditional MH's Corey and I are still talking/debating LED's or a mix of LED's supplemented by T5's. Either way the lighting will be the saver. I will also be using Tunzes PH's which will create tons of in tank flow through the wavebox and others, that are electrical more efficient than most PH's on the market.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KzooBenjamin http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/680#post_3348430
IIRC = If I Recall Correctly
Nice build so far. To be honest, I skimmed it pretty quickly so I might have missed it but do you have a running tally of your expenses to date, how much you think it will cost overall, and what the electricity bill impact will be once it's up and running?
 
1snapple

1snapple

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/680#post_3348595
That's funny!!!!! Honestly I never, ever go into a build with any intention of keeping track of what I spent or will spend......I'm only here on the earth a short time, and I want to enjoy it, and I came into the world broke, and plan leaving the same way......No seriously, I don't keep track, for the simple fact I know that the price if I bought something custom made either acrylic or glass it's well beyond what I'm actually willing to spend....
Plywood I used Poplar because of overall finish and appearance where most just paint I want a piece of furniture, so I can be proud of all my hard work and effort into the project
(2) 4x8 sheets of Poplar plywood $80.00
(8) gallons of West epoxy and hardner...... $1240.00
(4) Pigment to tint the epoxy $60.00
(1) set of West Epoxy metering pumps $13.00
Steel for tank reinforcement $50.00
Biaxial Fiberglass cloth $70.00
Misc. Wood for the tank $200.00
Stand & Canopy and trim work........ $??????
Total tentatively $1,713.00
That figure is close to the best of my knowledge, but I'm sure there's tons of misc things I've forgotten like cheapo tupperware containers to mix the epoxy, mixing spoons,sand paper tons of it, and countless trips to Lowes and HomeDepot. Tarps and plastic sheathing......Gloves, and you'll use tons of them......
I also had the cost of doing the fishroom as well, and we won't even try to track what I spent there, cause it's never done, and we won't even get into all the trim goodies for the stand and canopy, but I'm pretty sure when you look at all the work done and involved it was never about trying to save a buck, but trying to push my limits and abilities to the max and do something different.......
As far as electrical consumption this tank will be more efficient than my 240.....My 240 has a 1HP chiller that runs a bit in the summer, and MH's over the 240 are also a killer on electric. The new setup will still use the Reeflo pumps, that I swear by and wouldn't use anything else on a tank, but instead of the traditional MH's Corey and I are still talking/debating LED's or a mix of LED's supplemented by T5's. Either way the lighting will be the saver. I will also be using Tunzes PH's which will create tons of in tank flow through the wavebox and others, that are electrical more efficient than most PH's on the market.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KzooBenjamin http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/680#post_3348430
IIRC = If I Recall Correctly
Nice build so far. To be honest, I skimmed it pretty quickly so I might have missed it but do you have a running tally of your expenses to date, how much you think it will cost overall, and what the electricity bill impact will be once it's up and running?
I can't believe shawn is actually considering LED's!!! it's a wonderful day
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I'll have to take some pics between pouring epoxy and watching Modern Family with the wife Corey.........I do rather like it!!!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/680#post_3348462
Yeah i'd like to see the finished product. BTW, have you ever tried working the bubbles out of the epoxy with a heat gun before or do you think a torch is the best way?
1Snapple & Corey, I have tried using the heat gun, but just didn't have the same punch as the torch. Hair drier just doesn't put off the quick burst of heat IMO....Some have used it, but I haven't had any luck with that. I did buy a new heat gun just for the project though.......Why do you guys ask or question the torch method????

1Snapple you'd refill a butane torch constantly.....I'd like to get the torch setup with the long hose by Benzomatic.....just can't stomach the $60.00

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1Snapple http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/680#post_3348482
An addition to cory's question could you use a hair dryer or a butane torch?
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I think in a couple of the manufacturer videos about working with epoxy, and I watched a couple from different manufacturers they discuss using a torch to pop the bubbles. It's actually not that bad. Your first couple pours might seem overwhelming, but I've found if I pour and then wait 30-45 99% of bubbles that are present show themselves and you just hit them with the torch. I use to try to chase them right after I poured the epoxy and found myself chasing; like a dog chasing his tail. I sometimes pull out my electric space heater and put next to the tank and drape a drop cloth over forming a tent somewhat, and this helps speed the setup time. I could always switch to a medium hardner, but you never know at times if you might have an issue and have to walk away from the project quickly. Just feel safer with the slow hardner.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Cool...I wasn't questioning the torch so much as I was just curious what else might work or not. I'll keep my eyes out for shots of the sample.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
No I didn't mean you guys were questioning the torch.......
The heat gun just seems to be to slow/time consuming IMO.....I just like to hit it and be done......
I'll have to post some pics here shortly.....The tank is just about done with it's initial coat of white epoxy, and then I'm going to start the final coats......I was thinking about wrapping the background around the 2 back corners a bit, but not sure if I would like it or not. What do you guys think? Still tossing the foam/rock wall in the area covering the wavebox ports. I have to get the dimensions and work them out and get with Gemmy as well!!!!!
 
1snapple

1snapple

Active Member
Yes, pictures!!! Hey shawn I have a question and sorry for jacking your thread but on a 18"x24"x12" tank would i NEED to eurobrace? using 3/8" acrylic.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Sorry Josh.....I haven't forgotten about the eurobracing video I promised you......Is the tank 24"L x 18"W x 12"H? I would still eurobrace and error on safety side.......
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
Shawn I have been thinking about you wrapping the background around the corners, personally I think it will put an angle on the background and not make it look natural. Would one coat of clear be enough over it - I am just curious.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Thanks guys......I keep tossing the rock wall around, and I like the idea, but kinda goes away from the bonsai look I was originally trying to achieve, but I'm sure somehow it could be incorporated into the whole scheme of things....I have some of my rock already.....I'm starting with base rock, and at 1 time it was super looking, but at least this time I know it's going to be super clean, and as I get closer to water time for the tank I'll get the big rubbermaid tank and starting seeding the rock.
Al I know what you mean about angle....I have toyed with it briefly.....I just did a quick 1 coat of epoxy on the sample piece....It would get a couple coats. Actually the epoxy is extremely hard once it sets up, that unless you intentionally went in with some device to try to destroy the coating you'd be hard pressed with hurting it during routine maintenance. I'm thinking about when I do the final pour coat over the background material actually switching out the hardners.....It would still be a slow West Systems hardner, but I'd switch to the 207 hardner, which is an extra clear hardner. The standard 206 has a slight tint to it....Not really noticeable but it does........
My real dilema is that the background doesn't fit perfectly top to bottom on the back of the tank. When I trim off the bottom white measuring line on the background it makes it a tad short. Actually with the white cutting line it's short, but not very noticeable. Also I noticed when mocking it up in the tank it doesn't run all the way to the top under the eurobracing of the tank. Do you guys see that as being a problem?
Al as a side note that hose you were inquiring about in the other thread.....They carry that at ThatPetPlace down by me....I just happened to be eyeing it, scheming last week, and I can call them and get you a price and item number if you like????
 
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