Gonna try to build a new viv from scratch:quick question....

1577 Views 10 Replies 3 Participants Last post by DaFrogMan, Oct 11, 2004

DaFrogMan

Discussion Starter · Oct 9, 2004

I am planning to try to build my own viv from scratch. I've heard of people using plywood for the bottom and some of the walls. I want to do this, but how do I seal the plywood so that the water doesn't seep through? Can I just use plain 100% silicone and smear on a good coat of it with a drywall spatula? What do people ususually use?

Thanks!
~Aaron

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· #2 · Oct 9, 2004

With plywood you might want to use epoxy or fiberglass resin. You can even use the fiberglass to create a nice background.

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Homer

· #3 · Oct 9, 2004

I have found that the fiberglass resin tends to bubble when drying, causing leaks. After I had problems with the fiberglass, I used a final coat of epoxy paint like you use to paint a bathtub ($15-$20 at Lowes).

http://www.frognet.org/gallery/album18

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· #4 · Oct 9, 2004

Alex Welky from Custom Ecos builds exhibits and uses chicken wire, fiberglass and epoxy. His come out amazing.http://www.angelfire.com/oh3/customecos/terrarium_fab2.html

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Mantellaprince20

· #5 · Oct 9, 2004

you can always just use a glass tray in the bottom, like a lasagna dish, or larger, depending on how big you are going.

Ed

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DaFrogMan

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 10, 2004

Epoxy?

Homer said I could get some epoxy from lowes for about $15-20. I'm affraid that epoxy will have chemicals that will hurt my darts.... anyone used it? If so, which brand is safe? Or are they all safe? Do I have to watch out for certain brands of epoxy or ingrediants in epoxy because they are toxic or anything?

Mantellaprince - thats a good idea about the glass tray, I'll keep that in mind, this one's gonna be too big otherwise I'd use it. It's gonna be awesome guys... corner pentagon tank with fountains, waterfalls, misting system and the whole shabang. Just hope I don't use all my money making the tank or I won't have enough to buy frogs for it, lol.

By the way, you guys are much more helpful than the guys over at kingsnake were... not saying they aren't helpful. You guys just helped me so much more. Sorry bout the long post.

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· #7 · Oct 10, 2004

Go to a boat store like Boaters World and get a marine grade epoxy. Once cured it's harmless and made for wet applications.

http://www.boatersworld.com/webapp/wcs/ ... d=13150354

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Homer

· #8 · Oct 10, 2004

Re: Epoxy?

DaFrogMan said:
Homer said I could get some epoxy from lowes for about $15-20. I'm affraid that epoxy will have chemicals that will hurt my darts.... anyone used it? If so, which brand is safe? Or are they all safe? Do I have to watch out for certain brands of epoxy or ingrediants in epoxy because they are toxic or anything?

I used the two part epoxy that I mentioned above. Click on the link I posted and you will see a description and pictures of some of my stages of production of the tank. I ended up having to use the epoxy paint to seal up the bubbles I was getting in the fiberglass resin. My tank has been running now for almost 2 years with frogs in it . . . no problems. You just have to make sure that the stuff cures well before using it (or at least that has been my experience).

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Mantellaprince20

· #9 · Oct 10, 2004

I still think glass would be the safest. Maybe you could make your own liner, just get the thin glass at home depot or lowes, and have them cut it too size for you, then just silicone it together inside your terrarium. Just an idea.

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Homer

· #10 · Oct 10, 2004

Mantella,

You may be right, glass may be a sure bet. However, I have had no problems with my use of marine epoxy, and I know a lot of cichlid owners who have used marine epoxy to make big plywood aquaria with no problems. Specifically, the epoxy I have used is "Tough as Tile" from Lowe's, and I have some military marine grade polyamid epoxy paint I will be using on my next bunch of terraria.

Below is a link to a website I consulted when building my plywood terraria. Best of luck.

http://www.garf.org/140.gallon.html

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DaFrogMan

Discussion Starter · #11 · Oct 11, 2004

Thanks guys

Hey, thanks for being so helpful guys. I'm still not sure on how I'll do it yet. I may just make a liner out of glass like mantella suggested but I'm not gonna totally rule out epoxy yet either. Anyone besides Homer tried fiberglass? I might look into that too if it's not too expensive.

Maybe I'll shoot Alex from custom ecos a quick email and see what he thinks.

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