Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2010 0:05:02 GMT -5
Plexi pool 101
What you will need:
pvc cement
Razor knife
Tape measure and a straight edge, a level works great. You can pick up a 2 foot level at Walmart for under $10
100% silicone for plexi, which is located in the plexi and lexan section.
1/8 sheet of plexi...
and how to score the plexi, not my tutorial, was the first one i found
Painters tape
dogs.thefuntimesguide.com/images/blogs/blue-painters-tape-big.jpg
Sand paper
Before I built my pools, I done some measurements.
This will give you the idea
I decided how much sub I wanted. I drew a line across the tat with one of those erasable markers.
I actually designed my pools on the tat and the traced the sides pieces on some paper as a template for the plexi.
From my rough mark up, I have 6 pieces, it was a little more advanced then most. I wanted a nice shallow slope with a deep end of about 4 inches. Even though I can add up to 6 inches of water it isn't needed . I placed big rocks in the deep end so it ended up being around 2.5 inches.
After I am happy with it, i disassemble the pools and trace all my pieces for the other side.
After all pieces are cut, I used sand paper to make all edges nice and smooth.
Time to tape it with the painters tape. I left only enough edge to be glued. I also used the tape to hold it together. Like for example i would tape the outside, then glue the inside up. After the cement hardens take the paint off and glue the outside.
I got the idea using pvc cement from acrylic aquarium builder forums. If anyone was wondering. Also pvc is used on our drinking water lines
If you glue it good and let it cure and put another coat on, it will hold water without silicone. But to be safe go over all seams inside and out with silicone.
Do your water test..
This is what i done, after reading many pools failing and leaking, i made a little dam for just for that "incase" it would happen.
You can see it in the picture. Its right in front at a angle.
Even though mine haven't leaked in a years time, you never know. I did have a scare, Even though in the pictures is the 3i mini whisper i changed to the 10i whisper filter. After time, some junk got in the hole of the upper suction cup and was spitting water out behind the plexi on both pools. Of course i didnt find the out til i done a water test on the pools and after 36 hours no leaks, LOL.
Glad I made these removable
Silicone your rocks and make sure you add enough stuff for your guys to get out. I used to huge river rocks i got from a local river and some netting silicone to the bottom of the ramp to the bottom of the pools.
and watch them enjoying the watering hole....
This is hermie, I will watch him go to the ramp, walk to the deep end and just sits submerged on the river rocks a few times a week.
You can even get creative and make you other levels
Wish i had more step by pictures, but this was my first build and it was alot of trial and error stuff before it was final. My guys been enjoying this tat for a year now. On my 75 gal build I will have plenty of pictures
What you will need:
pvc cement
Razor knife
Tape measure and a straight edge, a level works great. You can pick up a 2 foot level at Walmart for under $10
100% silicone for plexi, which is located in the plexi and lexan section.
1/8 sheet of plexi...
and how to score the plexi, not my tutorial, was the first one i found
Painters tape
dogs.thefuntimesguide.com/images/blogs/blue-painters-tape-big.jpg
Sand paper
Before I built my pools, I done some measurements.
This will give you the idea
I decided how much sub I wanted. I drew a line across the tat with one of those erasable markers.
I actually designed my pools on the tat and the traced the sides pieces on some paper as a template for the plexi.
From my rough mark up, I have 6 pieces, it was a little more advanced then most. I wanted a nice shallow slope with a deep end of about 4 inches. Even though I can add up to 6 inches of water it isn't needed . I placed big rocks in the deep end so it ended up being around 2.5 inches.
After I am happy with it, i disassemble the pools and trace all my pieces for the other side.
After all pieces are cut, I used sand paper to make all edges nice and smooth.
Time to tape it with the painters tape. I left only enough edge to be glued. I also used the tape to hold it together. Like for example i would tape the outside, then glue the inside up. After the cement hardens take the paint off and glue the outside.
I got the idea using pvc cement from acrylic aquarium builder forums. If anyone was wondering. Also pvc is used on our drinking water lines
If you glue it good and let it cure and put another coat on, it will hold water without silicone. But to be safe go over all seams inside and out with silicone.
Do your water test..
This is what i done, after reading many pools failing and leaking, i made a little dam for just for that "incase" it would happen.
You can see it in the picture. Its right in front at a angle.
Even though mine haven't leaked in a years time, you never know. I did have a scare, Even though in the pictures is the 3i mini whisper i changed to the 10i whisper filter. After time, some junk got in the hole of the upper suction cup and was spitting water out behind the plexi on both pools. Of course i didnt find the out til i done a water test on the pools and after 36 hours no leaks, LOL.
Glad I made these removable
Silicone your rocks and make sure you add enough stuff for your guys to get out. I used to huge river rocks i got from a local river and some netting silicone to the bottom of the ramp to the bottom of the pools.
and watch them enjoying the watering hole....
This is hermie, I will watch him go to the ramp, walk to the deep end and just sits submerged on the river rocks a few times a week.
You can even get creative and make you other levels
Wish i had more step by pictures, but this was my first build and it was alot of trial and error stuff before it was final. My guys been enjoying this tat for a year now. On my 75 gal build I will have plenty of pictures