Wood tank sealing?

[Scavenger]

Thanks for the complements on the tank. This was my first ever attempt at a DIY tank. I did quite well the only things I didn't make were the return pump and the light fixture. I accually built a return pump that flowed around 1200 gph, but didn't use it because I didn't have faith in its "reliability." The 1/4 inch glass works fine for that size as the total height is 20 inches and there are 2 3 inch braces (top and bottem) so the exposed glass is only 16 inch x 48 inch. It's the height and not width or length that put the most water pressure on the glass.
I found all materials locally in nanaimo Home Depot for shop light fixture, fiberglass resin, silicon, wood ect, the glass I got from Ecowood Bladerunners off northfield road. It's all recycled glass and it cost me $5 for it all. Bought the gravel at Freisen Rentals for $5 too. The total cost (minus fish) was about $200. That's not bad for a 137 gallon eh?

Anyway, now I'm in the planning phase for my reef tank and I'll be building that from scratch too.

[Scavenger]

Originally Posted by christyf5

Hey Scavenger! Welcome to Canreef. Good to see some more island people here

Thanks for the welcome christyf5!! I hope to meet some of the local reef keepers. I saw your website and it looks like you have a very nice setup there, congratulations! Perhaps I could call on you for advise when I set up my first ever reef in the new year?? It would be nice to have some local non-LFS advise as I wade into uncharted waters. (pun intended! )

[Scavenger]

Oh ya TommDool here's a link you might find very interesting for when you make your tank.

http://saltaquarium.about.com/gi/dyn...ib6%2Ftank.htm

[TommDool]

Ya that was the first plans I saw at GARF. That is wat I was going to build. Will the resin last, I thought that fiberglass is not 100% waterprof and will leak over time.

Did you just put the resin over the plywood, or did you use fiberglass sheets as well?

[TommDool]

Question for all you Nanaimo people, where do you get your supllies from. Anyone have a good cheap source for sand?

[Scavenger]

Originally Posted by TommDool

Ya that was the first plans I saw at GARF. That is wat I was going to build. Will the resin last, I thought that fiberglass is not 100% waterprof and will leak over time.

Did you just put the resin over the plywood, or did you use fiberglass sheets as well?

Some areas, corners and seams have matting with the resin, the rest of the surface has just resin. I did forget to mention, that I put a coat of Gel Coat on top of the resin. (whoops sorry) Anyway, what this is basically the same construction as a boat hull. gel coat ontop of fiberglass ontop of wood. This will last for quite some time. Some of those boats in the harbour have not had any hull work in years and they take a larger beating than your tank will and they are still floating!

[TommDool]

Gel Coat? what is this and where did you get it, and How much? Do you have to find non toxic Gel Coat or is it all non toxic

[Scavenger]

Originally Posted by TommDool

Gel Coat? what is this and where did you get it, and How much? Do you have to find non toxic Gel Coat or is it all non toxic

Gel Coat is basically the "finish" paint you see on all fiberglass boat hulls. It can be polished to a high sheen. It's basically resin based paint as you use the same catalyst hardener as fiberglass. I don't know if there is toxic and non toxic versions, all I can tell you is I've only had 1 fish fatality that I could not identify the cause of death.