Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

mark_w · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 1:57 pm Post subject: Waterproofing plywood

Hi,

I am starting to plan building a new humid tropical tank. Anyone have experience with waterproofing plywood?

I've done this before using multiple coats of varnish, followed by silicone in the corners/joints, but its a pain doing this.

I know you can get various pond paints etc. Anyone used these or similar?

Thx,
Mark.

arthur cooke · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:21 pm Post subject:

Hi Mark, I've always used moisture resistant MDF and paint with an exterior paint. the rough kind that you use on render etc. I use silicon to seal the corners. Always found it makes a nice solid viv.
cheers arthur

MJ · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:56 pm Post subject:

I'd recommend using an epoxy but if you think varnish is a roayl PITA then you're gonna hate epoxy Laughing

_________________
Paul

For all your Tropical plant and Naturalistic Vivarium needs please enjoy Urban Bromeliad

mark_w · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 3:22 pm Post subject:

Thx for the replies:

Arthur,
Does this work for very high humidity?

I was considering undercoating, then painting with waterproof gloss, topped with a coat of yacht varnish. Whether this is better than three straight coats of varnish I don't know. Plus, with a large viv this takes ages...

MJ,
What brand/type of epoxy do you use? Do you have to mix it? More hassle than the above?

Cheers,
Mark.

MJ · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 3:39 pm Post subject:

I'll have to look and see what I use mate can't think of the brand name its a 2 part epoxy resin.. it's more work than varnish and or paint and varnish, but a much better result IMO.
_________________
Paul

For all your Tropical plant and Naturalistic Vivarium needs please enjoy Urban Bromeliad

timbo · I'm new here... Joined: 16 Nov 2007 Posts: 18

I built my own vivs for etbs and gtp's - I simply bought coloured aquarium background and coated the inside faces of the wood before putting it together and then sealed the corners with silicone - completely successful

I have also used a fiberglass resin to paint the inside which is great but I dont like the way it looks

arthur cooke · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:48 pm Post subject:

Hi, I used it with several vivs and found it ok, but in my wettest viv I lined the bottom with butyl and put a drain in. I saw a really good Idea for a viv, either here or on captive bred, where a viv was built on top of a bath, brilliant idea.
The paint I used was quite a strong exterior paint and water never seemed to get through it, it is always the base that's the hardest to proof.
Tiles work, using a waterproof tile grout, the type they use in swimming pools. also pond paint. It takes several coats tho.
cheers arthur

MJ · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:49 pm Post subject:

arthur cooke · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:02 am Post subject:

cheers arthur

mark_w · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:38 am Post subject:

Thanks Arthur.

I guess I have to stop thinking about it and build it before I need to worry about waterproofing it anyways!!!

Cheers,
Mark.