Acrylic tank build questions?

[apayne]

Hi everyone,

I am planing on building an acrylic tank, size is to be determined, but I am thinking some where in the neighborhood of 48 long x 36wide x 24 Tall (180 g) , or 48 long x 24wide x 24tall (120 g). I would make it out of 1/2" acrylic.

My question is, if I go with the 36" width, can I use 1/4" on the bottom? It would be completely supported by the stand, so bowing is not a problem.

I am just trying to get the whole tank out of one 4'x8' sheet of 1/2" acrylic and with the 36" width it can not be done.

Does any one see a problem with this?

Thanks,
Aaron

[rgaskins]

Aaron, I'm just not sure on this one...I would like to say it will work but man it just scares me...Sure wish you would think about getting some more 1/2 inch...Best of luck!

[rgaskins]

Oh, one more thing...How about a bigger sheet? They usually come in 48x96, 49 x 97, 51x100, 60x96, 72x96, 100x100, 100x125, 100x150.....

[sick1166]

i agree

[Acrylics]

Aaron,

You *can* use 1/4" for the bottom, but I personally wouldn't. For the 48 x 36 x 24, just buy 2 sheets and you'll have left-overs.

For the 48 x 24 x 24", buy an extra 2 x 4' or buy a 6 x 8' sheet to do the whole thing from one sheet.

HTH,
James

[checkinhawk]

Originally posted by apayne
Hi everyone,

I am planing on building an acrylic tank, size is to be determined, but I am thinking some where in the neighborhood of 48 long x 36wide x 24 Tall (180 g) , or 48 long x 24wide x 24tall (120 g). I would make it out of 1/2" acrylic.

My question is, if I go with the 36" width, can I use 1/4" on the bottom? It would be completely supported by the stand, so bowing is not a problem.

I am just trying to get the whole tank out of one 4'x8' sheet of 1/2" acrylic and with the 36" width it can not be done.

Does any one see a problem with this?

Thanks,
Aaron

what kind of lighting and do you plan on waveboxes?if you want this tank for sps i wouldnt even consider 1/2" for the sides.i would go 3/4".as for the base i wouldnt go 1/4" just because i dont like skimping on water vessles.IMO 3/8" minimum for the base is a must.

[salty55]

I would take into consideration the weight of the rock that will be sitting on the bottom too. especially if it will be sitting on a pvc rack. you will have all those little pressure points bearing down on the bottom pane. and if you will have foam under the tank, it will try to squish at those little pressure points, causing the acrylic to bow. so yeah, I personally, would be skeered of the 1/4"

[apayne]

Thanks for the reply everyone,
I will probably go with starboard on the btm instead of sand. this will spread the weight over a larger area, but I think I will buy 1 and 1/2 sheets of 1/2" to do the job, or may be one that is longer so I can get all of the pieces out of it.
checkinhawk,
Why would you use 3/4" for an SPS tank? Are you thinking rimless?

Also, what is the going rate for 1/2" acrylic? I have a store who quoted me $280.00 for a 4'x8' sheet of 1/2", about $7.75 per sq.ft.. Is that an alright price?

Thanks,
Aaron

[Acrylics]

Aaron,
What brand is the acrylic? It's a good price if it's decent cell cast acrylic (Polycast, Acrylite GP, or PlexiGlas G). I would not recommend any other brand for aquaria.
IMO, get the 1 1/2" sheets. 10' sheets come at a premium as they are not nearly the commodity that 8' sheets are.

For an acrylic tank, don't look at Starboard for load distribution, purely for aesthetics.

James

[apayne]

James,

Thanks for the info. I am not sure what brand it is, but the store is Inter State Plastics, I think??

What about using multiple pieces for the bottom? Two 1/4" sheets would be cheaper than one 1/2" piece. Just an idea, that may be totaly wack, haha.

Thanks,
Aaron

[Acrylics]

Aaron,
Interstate sells several different brands and I believe all 3 that I mentioned, just make sure it's one of them. Stick with the good brands, really does make a difference, and you'll be far less apt to get frustrated.

Two 1/4" pieces; umm, umm, you get my drift

James

[apayne]

Yea i get your drift, but I had to throw it out there .

Thanks for your help, I will let you know when I get started.

Aaron