Plywood tanks

[jeremy242]

I am building two plywood tanks and i have question about the epoxy paint. What i want to know is those of you who have make plywood tanks what did you use to seal the wood. I would like the product name, model, and location where you bought it from. I am having a hard time finding information on the right type of epoxy paint and where to get it. The only good info ihave gotten so far is the tile-clad 2 from sherwin williams which igot from a member of another forum, and marcopoxy 646 tx which i got from a sherwin william rep. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[jeremy242]

Just found this and they are local
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fus ... 3/cid/3035

[bslindgren]

Cool that someone is still building plywood tanks. I built several about 35 years ago when I lived in Sweden. I obviously don't have any product info, but I'd be interested in knowing how you make out. I found that the fish seemed much more at ease in a plywood tank than in the all glass tanks. Keep us posted!

[jeremy242]

This is where the up todate stuff is. will try and up date here as often as i can.
http://www.plecofanatics.com/forum/show ... hp?t=50480

[andywoolloo]

very cool.

[MatsP]

Are you really "saving" any money on the plywood tanks, or are you doing it because you think it's better for some other reason?

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Mats

[jeremy242]

The epoxy was $57 and the wood,screws,and glue was $18. Call it $80. For two tanks in the dimensons that i want i think $40 a tank is a good price.

[jeremy242]

Does anyone know what type of silicone is aquarium safe that i can get from home depot?

[MatsP]

The epoxy was $57 and the wood,screws,and glue was $18. Call it $80. For two tanks in the dimensons that i want i think $40 a tank is a good price.

You must be getting the plywood for a lot less than we do here in the UK - a sheet (4 x 8 ft) of 3/4" weather-resistant (no, not WATER resistant) ply on it's own is about $50. Screws and glue can probably be had for $10 or so. But $120 or so for a couple of 4ft tanks is not much less than a low-cost glass variety, and you just walk in the shop, pay your money, and walk out with a tank in that case.

As to Silicone suitable for aquariums, the minimum requirement is that it's NOT got fungicide (anti-mould) in it. In general look for the most plain, "no extras" silicone, and you should be OK. Although I would check the online aquatic shops to see if there's a decent price for "aquatic silicone" - that's sure to be safe, not a "guess based on absense of something" (e.g it DOESN'T say mould-resistant doesn't mean that it's aquarium safe).

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Mats

[apistomaster]

http://www.aquaticeco.com, in Florida sells plywood epoxy sealant, the safe aquatic epoxy paints and aquarium safe silicone.
I have built six holding tanks out of marine grade plywood, epoxy paint and sealed with silicone that were 3 X 3 X 2 ft High that we used in my old fish shop for seven years. It all depends on your materials cost and if you need a specific size whether or not the economics work out.

I buy GE Type I silicone sealant from any hardware store and have built over 100 tanks using it and never had any problems with toxicity.
It bonds well to epoxy finishes so you can seal your corners with it. Wild discus, Asian Micro-Rasboras and sensitive invertebrates have all done well in tanks constructed from GE Type I.

[jeremy242]

Thanks for he replys

[jeremy242]

updates are at the link above