Fishy Farm

[GaryD]

Hi,

I found this web site in Oregon.....Fishy Farm (http://www.fishyfarm.com/index.php/home)

Gary

[ourwebstop]

That's very interesting. The address they list is about 5 miles from my home. I'll have to go check them out.

Brian

[GaryD]

Hi Brian,

Be sure to let us know your impressions once you've had a chance to view them. I happened across them as part of my daily feed from Gizmag.

Gary

[GaryD]

Hi,

Our colleagues on both other AP forums have finally discovered FishyFarm......and, as you'd expect, the folks at FishyFarm are taking a kicking.

Their products are attractive and offer some scope for those who want something different (http://www.fishyfarm.com/index.php/our-products?page=shop.browse&category_id=3) to the fibreglass or plastic that's usually on offer.

One interesting thing that comes out of the discovery is the observation that the waterproof seal on FishyFarm's wood fish tanks, raft tanks and grow beds appears to be similar (if not the same) as the spray-on coating they use on ute (pickup) trays.

Kellen has suggested that there might already be a similar substance that is in use by builders of plywood fish tanks.

It's probably worth getting some more information on the coating......particularly if it proves to be fish-safe. Being able to make tanks and grow beds out of plywood without the usual hassle of flexible liners would be very useful.

Gary

[ande]

This is one http://www.koi.no/utstyr/Impermax.pdf
you can role it on don't have to spray paint, the cost of spray equippment is high, and tricky to use.

[kellenw]

Hi Gary,
Here are some coatings that immediately come to mind:
- West Systems makes epoxy that is claimed to be fish safe. A bit expensive though.
- Ames Blue Max, a rubber based product is specifically stated as potable water safe, so also fish safe. Pricing is fairly reasonable also.
- Sweetwater Epoxy available through Aquatic Ecosystems is fish safe, though a bit pricey.
- WetSuit is a neoprene based product, claimed to be fish safe. Kind of expensive when you breakdown how much product you have to use per square unit of surface area.
- Some people have recently used DryLok by UGL. Not sure of potable water or fish safe status, but it's quite affordable.
- Really any epoxy could be used in combination with a potable water safe or fish safe clear coating.
- Technically, I believe any neoprene product should be fish safe, but you should do your own checking to be safe.

[GaryD]

Thanks for that, Kellen,

I think that investigation of some of these options would be worthwhile. Plastic and fibreglass grow beds are also expensive......and finding more DIY options that don't involve liners would be a useful thing.

Gary

[Pseudoreality]

I'm leaning towards using Pond Shield ( http://www.pondarmor.com/faq.htm ) on my outdoor system. I want to build a 2x4 wooden frame and box it in with either high grade plywood or cement board. Then paint it with the epoxy. This will be for my growbed and raft tank as I already have a below ground fish tank. From what I've read on fish forums it goes on thick and is a little hard to spread. You might need a second coat and doesn't always spread evenly, but other than that works good.

[GaryD]

We don't seem to have Pond Shield in Oz......I'll have to look for something similar.

For our US and Canadian members, however, it looks like it could be just the thing for lining DIY grow beds. At around US$80 for enough to cover 60 square feet, it stacks up pretty well against other options.

Gary

[kellenw]

PR - I've heard both positive and negative reviews on Pond Shield, but I would say I've heard more positive than negative.

Gary - You might try searching for a potable water safe coating.