I use epoxy to build my fishing rods and the key to getting no air bubbles is mixing it slowly and applying some sort of heat to it. I usually use a lighter or a heat gun. I don’t know how you would do that on this scale though. I would suggest making like a 5 gallon test tank to test it and see how many bubbles are in the finished product. If you casted each wall separately you could probably just run a heat gun across it and pour it slowly.
DIY Fish Tank Via Epoxy?
- Thread starter dimik
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4tanks
Well-Known Member
OK interesting we use something called West epoxy and I know without silica powder it's strong but brittle can't wait to see how your tank comes out
dimik
Active Member
Yeah silica is good for bonding. West epoxy is different from what I plan to use. I plan to use an epoxy that is made for casting. Same process but slightly different chemicals. The casting epoxy has a 4-8 hour gel time and a 72 hour dry time.
dimik
Active Member
Last I checked for the panels I might need the prices comes out way cheaper if I go the epoxy route. Not sure where you're getting your acrylic panel prices either. Show me an acrylic panel of 48x24x0.75 for $150 and I'll go that route instead
If i need a panel 40"x18"x.5" thickness it comes out to 360 cubic inches. 360 cubic inches to gallons is 1.5G. Casting resin is roughly $96 a gallon retail (I can get wholesale prices). Last I checked the same acrylic panel is upwards of $200. Not to mention the point is to cast ONE PIECE and have a seamless tank
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Ulm_nano_diybudgetreef
Active Member
That's the stuff I imagined you'd use... I've had a play with glass cast 50, it's a pretty good product.
Since reading your post, it's been puzzling me as to how to pour the tank as a single cast rather than panels
h2so4hurts
Active Member
USplatics is $220 on a 48x24x.75 sheet, and they're usually twice as expensive as a local acrylic wholesaler. So I'd say you're probably not looking hard enough. Why post "is this a good idea?" If you've already decided it is? And won't take criticism on why it's not? I've done a bunch of epoxy desks/table tops and getting a bubble free surface is tedious, requires <0.25" pours, and a lot of babysitting to make it glass perfect. I've also built a lot of acrylic tanks and would choose solvent welding a tank every single time over an epoxy resin pour. Best of luck though. This sounds like a lot of work for something that's not going to turn out 99% perfect.
www.usplastic.com
0.708" (18mm) x 24" x 48" Cast Acrylic Sheet | U.S. Plastic Corp.
More flexible than glass or metals, acrylic is more rigid than many other plastics such as acetates, polycarbonates, or vinyl. Extruded a...
dimik
Active Member
The sides would have to either be done 2" at a time or you pour one panel, let it dry, add a notch across the edge and pour the next panel into that one. Let the next panel liquid fill in that notch.
dimik
Active Member
I'm taking criticism and adding healthy debate mate. Also you're table top pouring is different from cast pouring. That table top epoxy you use is not the same. That's the problem with those "critiquing" you have zero idea that there is even different epoxy's but you add your 2cents on your belief.USplatics is $220 on a 48x24x.75 sheet, and they're usually twice as expensive as a local acrylic wholesaler. So I'd say you're probably not looking hard enough. Why post "is this a good idea?" If you've already decided it is? And won't take criticism on why it's not? I've done a bunch of epoxy desks/table tops and getting a bubble free surface is tedious, requires <0.25" pours, and a lot of babysitting to make it glass perfect. I've also built a lot of acrylic tanks and would choose solvent welding a tank every single time over an epoxy resin pour. Best of luck though. This sounds like a lot of work for something that's not going to turn out 99% perfect.
0.708" (18mm) x 24" x 48" Cast Acrylic Sheet | U.S. Plastic Corp.
More flexible than glass or metals, acrylic is more rigid than many other plastics such as acetates, polycarbonates, or vinyl. Extruded a...
The fact that your even bringing up or talking about table top epoxy leads be to believe you have no idea what your saying but wan't to sound smart.
dimik
Active Member
Also i did not ask for your criticism. I merely asked if anyone has done a resin tank before. I didn't ask if its easy, hard, or what the process is. Where did I ask if "Is this a good idea" You completely made that up on your own.USplatics is $220 on a 48x24x.75 sheet, and they're usually twice as expensive as a local acrylic wholesaler. So I'd say you're probably not looking hard enough. Why post "is this a good idea?" If you've already decided it is? And won't take criticism on why it's not? I've done a bunch of epoxy desks/table tops and getting a bubble free surface is tedious, requires <0.25" pours, and a lot of babysitting to make it glass perfect. I've also built a lot of acrylic tanks and would choose solvent welding a tank every single time over an epoxy resin pour. Best of luck though. This sounds like a lot of work for something that's not going to turn out 99% perfect.
0.708" (18mm) x 24" x 48" Cast Acrylic Sheet | U.S. Plastic Corp.
More flexible than glass or metals, acrylic is more rigid than many other plastics such as acetates, polycarbonates, or vinyl. Extruded a...
h2so4hurts
Active Member
I don't know. Maybe reading the title of your post? Best of luck. Sounds like you have this all figured out. Again, why even post, just do it and bask in the glory when it's done.
h2so4hurts
Active Member
From your OP: "Can I just make my own panels using 2 part epoxy & molds?"
No, it's a bad idea. Best of luck.
No, it's a bad idea. Best of luck.
DSEKULA
Well-Known Member
This is an interesting idea I'm curious to see how it turns out. I built my tank in an odd corner of my house as well. I used acrylic, it's 155gal true volume is L shaped around the corner of the room and drops off from 10" to 21".
I've used west systems epoxy for reef projects but not the glass casting resin you mentioned. One of the things I noticed when looking at these materials for my own use is that most epoxies state that they are functionality waterproof or water resistant when cured but fail to list a waterproof denotation. I'm curious about the true long term viability in using this material for auctually holding liquid. I guess it seems feasible but wonder why it's not widely done.
I've used west systems epoxy for reef projects but not the glass casting resin you mentioned. One of the things I noticed when looking at these materials for my own use is that most epoxies state that they are functionality waterproof or water resistant when cured but fail to list a waterproof denotation. I'm curious about the true long term viability in using this material for auctually holding liquid. I guess it seems feasible but wonder why it's not widely done.
dimik
Active Member
Wow that must be a nice looking tank!
Your thinking is correct which is why this project may not happen. I've asked the company for the science behind holding water & also how strong their epoxy is at .5" thick in terms of compression, flexibility and tensile strength. Depending on their answer I'll see how to proceed.
If they don't know I'll have to build a 10G tank and run it for a year before taking on a large tank project. Again, if people are making huge tanks from plywood I don't see why epoxy wouldn't hold up 100x better.
dimik
Active Member
Why is it a bad idea?
Epoxy is stronger than acrylic and also using epoxy to bond the two pieces together is stronger than solvent welding.
I'm honestly curious as to why you think it's a bad idea scientifically.
DSEKULA
Well-Known Member
Here's my dt, if you decide to go acrylic I can absolutely help you walk through the process it's not too hard if you have the right tools and attention to details. Just like with the epoxy I'd recommend trying a small trial build maybe build yourself a custom sump first so the test tank has a use.
Ulm_nano_diybudgetreef
Active Member
Here's my dt, if you decide to go acrylic I can absolutely help you walk through the process it's not too hard if you have the right tools and attention to details. Just like with the epoxy I'd recommend trying a small trial build maybe build yourself a custom sump first so the test tank has a use.
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