TOTW 4-11-05 Paint for plywood aquarium

[robinhood]

Hi Guys,

Im building a new tank. its kinda big, so most of it (besides the front pane) is made of plywood. I need some suggestions, preferably based on experiences for the type of paints to use. I want to paint it black, and i really need to know that it want hurt the occupants, there will be a chambered Nautilus and other rare critters in there so i would like to keep the OOOpps to a minimum.

The Tank is 40" high 78" long 7" deep at the bottom and 24" deep at the top. The idea is it looks like you are looking at a steep reef drop of/slope.

Ply wood all round 2 X 3/4 plywood with 3/4 plywood braces. All seems and joints glued with polyurathene waterproof glue and screwed every 3". I wont get into th plumbing as this tank will be connected to and is the last in a series of tanks to make up deep ocean, reef, shoreline/tidepool system that adds up to 4 tanks and around 750 gls all connected with almost no mechanical filtration and only some charcoal with bypass sytems (so little and really really little critters can make it through out the system if fate feels the need.

I keep saying ill get a site going for all this so you can see it but Hum......

Heres what has been proposed so far let me know what you think and any experiences you have.

1. Swimming pool rubberised acrylic, only avaiable in Blue and grey
2. 2 part appoxi marine boat paint (cant find this anywhere so far !!!!)
3. Fiberglass resin, tinted (with out the glass) so paint the ressin witha brush and let set ??
4. enamel paint covered with, clear two part appoxi varnish (i have no idea)

Let me know. So far i need to contact the No 1 option manufacture ass it seems to be the cheapest and the most logical solution.

Number two seems to be the most sugessted on the web but mostly old articles. Any info would be very usefull.

[patandreba]

Ever thought about the rubber membrane used on flat building roofs? Properly supported it should hold a lot of water.

[robinhood]

Hows it usually sealed with silicone. Does silicone even stick to it, as i have to seal it with the glass front. I'll check it out on the weekend at the hardware store. Thanks for the reply.

Resins out i checked it out and it cracks to easally. Not to mention i have no idea if it releases horrible stuff after being submerged for so long with out a gelcoat finsh.

[robinhood]

I'll though some pics up tomorrow. It might help.

[underseaworld]

I had a plywood tank. The paint I used on it was 3 in 1 epoxy enamel. I am not sure where you may get it. You may try a boat store that sells paint. It worked great for me.

Hi Guys,

Im building a new tank. its kinda big, so most of it (besides the front pane) is made of plywood. I need some suggestions, preferably based on experiences for the type of paints to use. I want to paint it black, and i really need to know that it want hurt the occupants, there will be a chambered Nautilus and other rare critters in there so i would like to keep the OOOpps to a minimum.

The Tank is 40" high 78" long 7" deep at the bottom and 24" deep at the top. The idea is it looks like you are looking at a steep reef drop of/slope.

Ply wood all round 2 X 3/4 plywood with 3/4 plywood braces. All seems and joints glued with polyurathene waterproof glue and screwed every 3". I wont get into th plumbing as this tank will be connected to and is the last in a series of tanks to make up deep ocean, reef, shoreline/tidepool system that adds up to 4 tanks and around 750 gls all connected with almost no mechanical filtration and only some charcoal with bypass sytems (so little and really really little critters can make it through out the system if fate feels the need.

I keep saying ill get a site going for all this so you can see it but Hum......

Heres what has been proposed so far let me know what you think and any experiences you have.

1. Swimming pool rubberised acrylic, only avaiable in Blue and grey
2. 2 part appoxi marine boat paint (cant find this anywhere so far !!!!)
3. Fiberglass resin, tinted (with out the glass) so paint the ressin witha brush and let set ??
4. enamel paint covered with, clear two part appoxi varnish (i have no idea)

Let me know. So far i need to contact the No 1 option manufacture ass it seems to be the cheapest and the most logical solution.

Number two seems to be the most sugessted on the web but mostly old articles. Any info would be very usefull.

[patandreba]

Silicone should seal it. I always use 99% rubbing alchahol on any surface I am going to silicone, as it takes all the oil and grime off of the surface. Havent had a leaker yet.

Pat

[patandreba]

One last thought. What about acrylic sheeting, say 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick? You could paint the backside of that any color you wanted, and it should seal if you support it properly.

[scubadude]

Why not PVC sheeting? Acrylic would work too, but I believe PVC sheeting would probably be cheaper? I also believe PVC sheeting or acrylic can be had in many different colors. Also fiberglass resin and netting, have you ever repaired a surfboard? I believe the fiberglass netting can come in different colors and the resin is clear, but the netting is what determines the coloration. I dont see why you couldnt just paint it then fiberglass it, or some other type of sealant like epoxy, as long as the paint is sealed within. The only thing I dont like about that is if you change your mind and you decide you want it a different color or no color. Have you thought about the merits of having a removable color panel? Of course this is easier said than done though right!? silly me

[Randy]

Check out www.sanitred.com

No epoxy, no silicone, just rubber coating and life time warranted! I used it and it is tough, flexible, absolutely waterproof and durrable.

[The R/C Man]

This may be a little bit late but I figured I would add it anyway. At one time I considered building a wood tank and still have the idea on the back burner. After much research the paint of choice is a food grade epoxy type. This will prevent any chemicals leaching (over time) into the water. To add to that, epoxy is great in conjunction with layers of fiberglass cloth for a bullet proof tank....