Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi

This is currently one thing I'm still having to sort out in my design, my fish tank will be make of besser bricks and comment, I know there are many products on the market for sealing tanks.

What brands / products have people used ? has it worked well and lasted ? pro's / cons ? where can I buy it ? approx how much it is per square meter ?

thanks
Wayne

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=2341&p=87196&hilit=Sealing+concrete#p87196

Have a read through here MS...it may help

Lots of good info in that thread, have tried to compile them all here, still need more details on how they have lasted, ease of application ect

Product - Sikatite
Made by - Silka
Used by - Jaymie
Price quoted by Jaymie - I got 20L of Sikatite for $125
What is it - Black goop that you paint on in a few layers and let it gas off for about 10 days before adding water etc
website - http://www.sika.com.au/contacts.htm

Product - Sikatop-107 Seal
made by - Silka
found by - Tree Beard
Cost quoted by Tree Beard - All up will cost me $70.00
about it - Sika have reccommended a product that is called Sikatop-107 Seal. It is non toxic (also seems to be the only one with non toxic listed as an advantage) and reccomended for water tanks and is fine for potable water. It comes as a two part mixture i.e. 5lt jerry can and 17 kg of powder
Description - SikaTop-107 Seal is a two-component, predosed, ready for use waterproofing
slurry based on polymer modified cementitious material.
Uses On concrete, mortar, brickwork, steel.
For rigid waterproofing membranes, eg:
�� Basements inside and outside.
�� Watertanks, reservoirs
�� Retaining walls
Balconies, terraces, small flat roofs, etc.
As a thin layer render in concrete repair to effectively seal the surface of the
concrete, eg:
�� Building facades, beams, columns, slabs, etc.
�� Bridge deck soffits and parapets.
�� Tunnels.
As protective coating in marine environments against salt attack, eg:
�� Wharves, piers and docks.
Advantages �� Certified for use in contact with potable water. AS4020:1999.
�� Predosed kits.
�� Easy to mix & use.
�� Waterproof .
�� Excellent adhesion to sound substrates.
�� Good crack bridging capabilities.
�� Impermeable to water and water borne salts.
�� Non-toxic.
�� Good resistance to abrasion and erosion.
�� Non-corrosive, non flammable.
�� No drying or shrinkage cracks when used in accordance with
instructions.
�� Can be applied to suit application by brush or trowel.
Storage and Shelf Life Minimum 12 months shelf life if stored in unopened original container in dry
frost-free condition.
Instructions for Use
Surface Preparation
Concrete, mortar, brickwork. Sound, clean, free of oil, grease, dust or
laitance; as even as possible.
Steel, Iron. Clean, free of oil, grease and rust.
Absorbent substrates have to be thoroughly watered and must be matt wet
prior to the application of the first coat of SikaTop-107 Seal.
In instances where the substrate has been previously coated, or contains
contaminants difficult to remove, mechanical means of preparation must be
used, i.e. grit or sand blasting, grinding, etc.
Mixing Pour half of component A (liquid) into mixing vessel. Add all of component B
(powder) and mix until you have a slurry of uniform consistency.
Add rest of component A and mix again until you have a uniform, lump-free
mixture. Mechanical slow speed mixer (500 rpm) is recommended. Mix for
2-3 minutes. If SikaTop-107 Seal is to be applied by trowel, use only 90% of
component A (liquid).

Product - Bitkote No. 3
Made by - davco
found by - Delgrade
What is it - A black-brown water based dispersions of bitumen and modifiers, which dry to a black, flexible and water insoluble coating. Bitkote No. 3 is suitable for general purpose repair and protection.
Uses:
· Sealing of most timber, metal, brick, concrete and cement sheeting surfaces against water entry.
· As a waterproofer to concrete water storage tanks, ponds etc.
· Waterproofing of shower recesses when used in conjunction with fibreglass matting.

Features & Benefits:

· Cold applied, easy to use, and easy to clean up in cold water, reduces time and equipment required to do the job.
· When dry, Bitkote No. 3 has good resistance to water, alcohol, animal wastes, most dilute salt, acid and alkali solutions to last longer in demanding conditions.
· Bitkote No. 3 is water based, odour free, non-flammable and non-toxic.
· Will not taint water if fully cured before use, thus eliminating possible environmental hazards normally experienced with solvent based products.
· When dry, Bitkote No. 3 will not flow under heat or harden at normal temperatures, thus providing longer term protection from the Australian climate.
· In thick layers, Bitkote No. 3 is an excellent impact absorber, reducing sound and vibration e.g. on tin roofs.
· Bitkote No. 3 has been tested and approved by State Water Laboratory for Potable Water in accordance with AS 4020-1992
website - http://www.davco.com.au/davco/au/produc ... product=90

Product - Radcon 7
Made by - Crommelins
recommended by - Sleepe
Price in 2007 - 8lt is only $640.00 (covers 5 square meters per litre)
about it - First one Radcon 7 which I have tried. This is unusual in that it penetrates and seals the concrete with a silica hydrophobic barrier. It can be applied with a normal garden sprayer or brush. It will reseal very small cracks as it does not harden. Supposed to be guaranteed for 25 yrs. Given the tanks you will be using this would be my first choice.
website - http://www.crommelin.com.au/listPro.php?id=26

Product - elastoseal
Made by - Crommelins
recommended by - Sleepe
about it - Second is elastoseal which I am thinking of using on fiberglass troughs which have cracks in the gel coat (also goes on cement) Dries to a coating like butyl rubber (got some sample strips).
website - http://www.crommelin.com.au/listPro.php?id=26

Ummm, I believe that Creative1 has made a few tanks out of conc and hasn't sealed any of them, and has had no troubles at all...

Yeah I have read right through Creatives thread and dont remember any sealing mentioned

Ask Jaymie c1 did there tank

Xypex is normally added to concrete to water proof it.

They also make a stucco mix.

Xypex is a crystal based additive that grows into cracks where water is present.

I built my entire system from cement brick bar the sump.

I used a water based bitumen emulsion called 'Super laycold' available in South Africa. It has instructions for sealing koi ponds but is mostly a roof waterproofing product.

Requires the first coat to be watered down 50% and 10 days to cure before adding water and fish.

That said I have had pH issues but have an all plastic system running alongside with the same pH issues so who knows.

Had a quick search for that stuff vlt
looks the goods, how would you apply it to the besser bricks tho ? would you just mix it up and apply it like a render but to the inside of the tank ?

From the research I have done the besser bricks (cinder blocks) do not appear to be water tight but instead are porous so some sealing would be required

Xypex make a concrete additive to be adding during batching/mixing. You use this to corefill and slab.

You then use the stucco product as a render inside.

Google abri masonary besser block pool.

Yeah but don't use the besser blocks, use their versalock. Much better product.

any idea on about how much you should expect to pay per block for the versalock ones ?
normal besser blocks are $3.50-$4.50 depending on where you get them

About the same.

Call abri.

I was qouted for 400 blocks for 2.6 each delivered. They also said versaloak same price.

There is a paint on rubber seller called clearpond pond seal. I used that for mine and have had no issues after a year.
The problem with not sealing is PH. Initially I had some concrete left in the drain pipe and it pushed the PH off the end of the scale at 10. Took a while to figure out why. Once I got that out it dropped down to 8.

I know of another concrete pond not sealed and PH tested that. After 10 years the PH was over 10 still and its had a lot of flushes.