can you build and us concrete tank ?

littlebuddha4

hi all i about to inbark on a aquaponics project
here on my little bit of land .
Is it all right to make concrete tank to put the fish in?
Is the concrete stabble atfer building to put fish in and to grow plants safely?

do in need to look at lining the tank
thank you for all you help
Paul
e d a g d

jessy

check out Synaptomans system's , he has done it very well......so have very many others....try the search engine :wink:

Food&Fish

Wat ever happend doug bashberg[spelling] in usa

creative1

I would say yes... concrete is stable.
What size tank are you talking about?
PM me if you have any issues
C1

TCLynx

I understand that it takes a little time for the concrete to cure properly and for a time it will affect system pH but this is probably something that can be dealt with.

Myself, I just dug a hole and lined it with pond liner.

creative1

agreed TCL...

thorn

So concrete is okay but cement is not?

They all look the same to me because I'm an american.

Fish Fingers

Thorn Concrete is made from sand, cement and gravel and often reinforced with steel but its the cement that will bring the ph up. Even after it has cured it will still have a buffering effect as a drop in ph will cause more of it to dissolve.
Another problem i can see with concrete tanks is the use of salt in the system for treating illness as salt will cause more concrete to erode and bring ph up. If the concrete has reinforcing in it and this rusts than it can also crack the concrete. A waterproof coating such as a fish safe bitumen paint is a good option and will extend the life of the tank for sure.

Sleepe

Thorn

Cement usually has lime in it and is used by brickies.

Fish Fingers

Brickies use mortar made from cement and yes some put hydrated lime in the mix for workability. Either way cement is still made from burnt limestone and fly ash.

creative1

Air is what causes rebar corrosion.
I'd be using admix silicafume for better density..
and super plas' for reduced water,
put the coating on the outside to reduce in & out gassing

Sleepe

FF I realise what its made of however Thorn's question was
"So concrete is okay but cement is not? They all look the same to me because I'm an american."

The correct answer possibly should have been cement is what binds it together, an admixture of cement sand and aggregate is normally called concrete, an admixture of cement and sand is probably what you call 'cement'. Either are ok but the 'cement' is usually used, in tank building, for ferrocement work and the concrete is used a lot thicker usually with heavy rod reinforcing.

creative1

sleepe - Brickies mix is called "mortar".
and yes could have lime or a raft of other admixes.

Concrete on the other hand, should/will never have lime,
but could have rapid hard, retardent, AIR, or other.
Lime will suck in water and is quite weak so that it sticks.
aposed to concrete where strength and monolithic are typical
required outcomes.
Hope this helps.
C1

Sleepe

C1
All the brickies I know call it mud :lol:

creative1

Hehe

it starts with M atleast.
...and for grano's concrete is refered to as 'the grey lady'.

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