Comment

Comment by Lee Scott on August 20, 2012 at 5:19am

Here is a YouTube video about making an aquarium with Liquid Rubber.  Maybe that would be an option?  I've never used the product so I can't say if it is good. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdyANDq_x_s

Maybe use fiberglass resin to coat the wood?  Is it toxic to fish?

Comment by Vlad Jovanovic on August 20, 2012 at 2:23am

If you're gonna paint plexiglass...why not paint (or wax) plywood? 

I guess if I were dead set on using some sort of plastic, and was willing to spend Lexan type money...This would be my personal choice: High Density Polyethylene plastic http://www.cutplasticsheeting.co.uk/hdpe-sheet/hdpe-natural

(I realize you are not in the UK but the products description was good just in case you're not familiar with HDPE :)

Here's a place in the US that sells HDPE sheeting complete with pricing http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=23869&catid=705

If I had the money, all my AP plumbing even would be HDPE...But alas...PVC the poor mans plastic...

Comment by Larry in Casa Grande on August 19, 2012 at 11:13pm

Well I am still keeping my eyes open for some product. I am kind of eyeing some good old Plexiglass or Lexan. I realize I can just as easily use 2X2 sheets, instead of a solid 2ft x 4ft piece. It would probably make lifting them out easier when loaded with plants.

I would probably need to paint it or place something over the clear raft to exclde any light though? I am assuming that light below the raft would be bad. Algea growth, roots getting light, as well as the green house effect heating things up are my novice ideas that lead me to this conclusion. I am open to further light and knowledge though.

Comment by Vlad Jovanovic on August 19, 2012 at 6:11pm

Well, some of these product types are used to coat metal rain water collection systems (potable). It seems highly improbable that once dry, the occasional splash would leach nasty stuff into your system...but you need to make your own decision there...Finding an emulsion that can be used for drinking water may help allay some fears...If your uncomfortable with it, maybe try fish safe epoxy paint, or the carnuba wax..?

I had this stuff lying around from another project...

Comment by John Malone on August 19, 2012 at 5:57pm

Hmmm:  bitumen/asphalt paint.   

Here's what I found available in the US.

How would that go as a splash guard.  Would it result in nasty chemicals dripping in to my fish tank and floating my fish?

Comment by Chris George on August 19, 2012 at 5:39pm

@Dr. Brooks....thanks for the info regarding invasives.

Comment by Vlad Jovanovic on August 19, 2012 at 4:44pm

Do you really think the surface (being wood and all, and on the under side away from the sun) would get that hot even if you used parafin?

Comment by Vlad Jovanovic on August 19, 2012 at 4:42pm

Glad to be of service John. Carnuba wax (made from vegetables) melts at about 175F. I imagine even Phoenix doesn't get that hot! (hope not anyways)... On the 4x8 sheets of OSB that cover my in ground sump(s) I coated the down facing side with Butilit (it might be called something else, but similar, in the states?). It's basically a brush on, no heat required tar type substance, and is good til about 170F or so...

Comment by John Malone on August 19, 2012 at 3:58pm

@Vlad : I think you may have inadvertently solved one of my problems, or at least provided one solution.

I have OSB board covering my fish tank, but it gets, and stays, damp from splashes from the siphon output.   It's only a matter of time until the OSB gives it up and I get a free swim with the fish when checking the vegies.

I've never dealt with any wax other than to polish the car and the tablesaw.

A quick research shows that some paraffin wax melts at 115F, which would be a problem here in Phoenix, but I'm sure there are other higher melt options available.

What would be the best technique to waterproof the underside of my OSB fish tank cover?   

(BTW - anyone has read any of my posts, or talked to me for more than five minutes, knows that I hate spending money, so cheap and cheerful is fine with me!)

Comment by Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr. on August 19, 2012 at 2:56pm

Hi Chris.Invasive plants have made a real mess of things. Look at the salt cedar (tamarisk) for example and the billions it is costing us in wildlife habitat, water and flooding do it it clogging the rivers. Kudzu down south is another such monster.  Also there are few rules that are 100%, but so far nothing that we have cultured on farms has failed to escape so better safe than sorry. 

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