lgw Posted November 4, 2015 Report Share Posted November 4, 2015 (edited) Hey guys, I thought I'd share my new project with you all. Just started today and progress will probably be slow, finding time and trial and error will more than likely make for a drawn out build. But anyway, the plans are for a 2x1x0.7m wooden tank with a 1.8x0.6m viewing window to replace my pond/pool. As much as I like the pool, I just don't get the same viewing pleasure as I do with a tank. The inner wall is made using 16mm MDF. I bought these in 2400x1200 sheets from Bunnings. They were around $115 for the 4 sheets. They are simply screwed and glued together to create an open box. I will be building a frame around the mdf with 90x35mm mgp10 (also from Bunnings) and lining the inside with pond liner (you guessed it, from Bunnings). More updates to come, any tips are welcome. Cheers Edited November 7, 2015 by lgw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
th3f0rg0t3n Posted November 4, 2015 Report Share Posted November 4, 2015 Can you post a link for the cover in which you are using for that pool mate ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgw Posted November 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2015 Can you post a link for the cover in which you are using for that pool mate ? http://www.bunnings.com.au/bastion-2-5m-clear-polycarbonate-roofing-sheet_p1010601 I have 2 of them on the pond. I'll be using them as lids on the new build too. Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 5, 2015 Report Share Posted November 5, 2015 maybe sit on some 3x2 as well to keep it of the ground in case of spillage mdf soaks up water like a sponge also a coat of water repellent sealer on it would be good insurance too especially on the ends and tops of the board good luck should turn out a decent pond Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 5, 2015 Report Share Posted November 5, 2015 ps if you plan to do another one down the track the bunnings treated pine sleepers are good value as well as you can bolt them together and line the insides with some old carpet or something to stop tears in the liner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgw Posted November 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2015 ps if you plan to do another one down the track the bunnings treated pine sleepers are good value as well as you can bolt them together and line the insides with some old carpet or something to stop tears in the liner Hey mate, thanks for the tips. I did actually think about putting some carpet underlay under the liner, or maybe even some sort of insulation. I will be building a stand for it to sit on. Window size has changed already, I picked up a 4.5x2' tank earlier for next to nothing. I'll be cutting it apart and using a piece. Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 5, 2015 Report Share Posted November 5, 2015 a layer of polystyrene the inside would be perfect for winter, thicker the better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgw Posted November 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2015 I managed to cut the sheet out of the old tank for the window tonight, it took forever. I used safety scraper blades and fishing line to remove it. I recommend having a second pair of hands, doing it alone makes things much harder. Especially moving the glass tank around. I have decided to use the back piece as it isn't as scratched, so I have the fun task of removing the paint. Acetone and a razor shall be my friends in this process. I did have second thoughts about using this glass, as it is quite scratched. However I am trying to do this on a budget, so it will have to do I suppose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgw Posted November 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Got a bit done this morning. I spent a couple if hours removing the paint, until I ran out acetone. I cut the the window opening out, leaving enough mdf for the glass to overhang on all sides (roughly 40-50mm). Next step will be the 90x35mm frame. Hopefully I can make a start on that tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgw Posted November 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Sorry about the upside down pics and excuse the pencil lines around the opening. They were for the original 1800x600 piece that I intended to use Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 just out of interest what will you be glueing the liner on the glass with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgw Posted November 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 just out of interest what will you be glueing the liner on the glass with? Probably Selleys aquarium silicone mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 NOOOOOOOOOOOO- Have tried it b4 peels off pond liner very easy you can peel it off when dry with your fingers, I'd try something like sicaflex but prob best still to give their tech guys a ring , it can be used for potable water and is a much better product to look at ,silcone is great on glass and sicaflex is generally used to seal large rain water tanks and the like, its about $ 20 a tube but well worth it good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 ps you still would likely have to clean the liner edge with something like the plumbers use to get the shine off pvc pipe b4 glueing, the sicaflex tech guys should be able to help you there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
none Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Maybe too late but I'd use structural ply (exterior or marine) and definitely not MDF. As [MENTION=1568]spongebob[/MENTION] mentioned the slightest moisture and it swells and its structural integrity (which is not great to begin with) is dramatically weakened. MDF is not designed for that type of application and could easily end in tears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgw Posted November 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 NOOOOOOOOOOOO- Have tried it b4 peels off pond liner very easy you can peel it off when dry with your fingers, I'd try something like sicaflex but prob best still to give their tech guys a ring , it can be used for potable water and is a much better product to look at ,silcone is great on glass and sicaflex is generally used to seal large rain water tanks and the like, its about $ 20 a tube but well worth itgood luck I was going to sand back the pond liner to give the silicone something to adhere too, but I'll definitely have a look at sicaflex. I also had a look at ... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gold-Label-Aquarium-Sealer-Materials/dp/B0057EBWF6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgw Posted November 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Maybe too late but I'd use structural ply (exterior or marine) and definitely not MDF. As [MENTION=1568]spongebob[/MENTION] mentioned the slightest moisture and it swells and its structural integrity (which is not great to begin with) is dramatically weakened. MDF is not designed for that type of application and could easily end in tears. I plan to have it near impossible for the water to get to the MDF, it's just there for the liner to sit in ( the added strength is just a bonus ). This is unless the liner leaks of course lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
none Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 I plan to have it near impossible for the water to get to the MDF, it's just there for the liner to sit in ( the added strength is just a bonus ). This is unless the liner leaks of course lol Even humidity will cause it to swell. Have seen cabinets made with MDF doors (with no structural load) swell and distort dramatically despite rarely getting wet. The area around the window would be almost certainly the first to go. If made with Ply you'd have no worries.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase86uxb Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 If you used marine ply we could have waterproofed the whole thing and no need for the liner .... Viewing window is tricky out of glass but I think o know a way we could stick it to "pond " and also Lap on to it it as a back up .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgw Posted November 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Even humidity will cause it to swell. Have seen cabinets made with MDF doors (with no structural load) swell and distort dramatically despite rarely getting wet. The area around the window would be almost certainly the first to go. If made with Ply you'd have no worries.. Hmm ok, cheers. Some more food for thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
none Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 If you used marine ply we could have waterproofed the whole thing and no need for the liner .... Viewing window is tricky out of glass but I think o know a way we could stick it to "pond " and also Lap on to it it as a back up .... Double front ply with a recess cut into it for the part of the window not visable would be a real strong way to do it. Tricky as you say but it would last forever if made properly and the whole thing braced as planned. The addition of Fibreglass could also be another option.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lictoga Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Just use a rain water tank and curve some acrilic for the window. 100mm overlap with sickerflex and stainless bolts every 100, easy. Should have taken a photo of the last one we did. I will have to remember next time im over at my mates house Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgw Posted November 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 (edited) Some more progress... Got most of the frame done with the help of my brother. The top and front of the frame will be attached once the liner is in place. The design has once again changed... The viewing window will now sit flush with the outside of the mdf. I will be using Gold label aquarium and pond sealant ( approved by John at The Tech Den ) to first attach the the glass to the pine frame, and again to seal the liner to the glass. This way, the timber is also holding the window putting less stress on the liner. Hopefully this will make more sense with the pictures to come in the near future... Edited November 8, 2015 by lgw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 good to see you have the glue all sorted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquaholic99 Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 (edited) Looks pretty good ! Edited November 9, 2015 by aquaholic99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
