making acrylic tank

[Chad Vossen]

In a recent thread I was checking to see if I could use a reptile tank as a frag tank. I took the advice to not use it, as it could easily burst with any weight added.
Now I would like to explore making an acrylic tank. I would like to make a tank with a 24"x 24" footprint, and 8 or 10 inches tall. The sides will likely use 1/4" acrylic. I want to use 1/8th acrylic for the bottom. Any reason why this wouldn’t work? Most of the acrylic tanks I see use the same thickness acrylic on all sides of the tank. I've always wondered why the tank doesn't have a thinner bottom to reduce cost.
The tank would have euro-bracing to support the sides of the tank.

[TriggerFreak]

most of your weight will be on the bottom. I have some 30 gal tanks with the same dimension if you are interested, although they have aluminum frames

[gogregerson]

I would think that if you had it on a smooth level surface and were diligent never to pick it up with anything in it you'd be safe with a thin bottom.

[REEFSTOCK]

3/8" all around IMO, 1/4" should work with the eurobracing.

What happens with a thin bottom is it puts stress on the side edges as it wants to bow in the center. Don't go 1/8" You are really asking for it.

Acrylic tank building is tough to get right (and mistakes cost alot). I really don't suggest building just for one custom size.

It is a nice feeling building your own tank though :biggthumpup:

[Chris Goetz]

1/8" also doesn't leave much surface area to bond to sides...

[morty]

Actually the sides bond to the bottom, not the other way around, so the bond would be 1/4". However, I would use at least 1/4" material for the bottom anyway, as it's not that much more expensive or heavy than 1/8". I built a 48" x 30" frag tank using 1/4" (actually .220") for the bottom. But I built a very sturdy stand for it so the bottom does not bow at all. I used 3/8" for the sides. If you use 1/4" for the sides, expect some bowing, even if you add eurobracing.

[Chad Vossen]

3/8" all around IMO, 1/4" should work with the eurobracing.

What happens with a thin bottom is it puts stress on the side edges as it wants to bow in the center. Don't go 1/8" You are really asking for it.

Acrylic tank building is tough to get right (and mistakes cost alot). I really don't suggest building just for one custom size.

It is a nice feeling building your own tank though :biggthumpup:

i want to put the tank on a plywood surfaced stand. there would be no gaps under the tank to allow the tank to bow. i'd never try moving it while anything is in it either.
what about making the tank 23"x23" and having a 1/2 inch lip around the outside for additional support? this way i'd have the 1/4 inch side, with another 1/4th inch strip welded along the outside bottom edge to make the total welded surface 1/2 inch. it doesnt need to be a show tank, just functional and safe.

[Chad Vossen]

also, are there cheaper sources of acrylic than home depot? i've bought all my 1/8th from them and if i do make an acrylic tank, i was looking at their 1/4th acrylic too. but im trying to determine if this is the cheapest stuff out there.

[Chris Goetz]

also, are there cheaper sources of acrylic than home depot? i've bought all my 1/8th from them and if i do make an acrylic tank, i was looking at their 1/4th acrylic too. but im trying to determine if this is the cheapest stuff out there.

Yes, A-1 Acrylic (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=a-1+acyrlic,+osseo,+mn&fb=1&cid=8874356810086150817&li=lmd&z=14&iwloc=A) sells scrap acrylic for $1/lb and they always have some 1/4" scraps that size, and sometimes 1/2".

[David Grigor]

You might get lucky and find scrap that is 24" wide but most scrap won't be that wide. Easily can find scrap pieces for the sides. May have to buy retail for the bottom. Acrylic shops is where you want to go, don't buy acrylic from HomeDepot for your projects. Look up acrylic/plastic shops in the yellow pages or dex for St. Cloud.

[Chad Vossen]

thank you for the link, i pass through that area once a month or so. i'll have to go in and clear them out of scrap acrylic now too.

[REEFSTOCK]

I don't think HD even sells Cast acrylic.

[mrbill]

Not much in St Cloud. The plastic company I used to buy from there wont sell retail any more.

[Chad Vossen]

I don't think HD even sells Cast acrylic.

im pretty sure its all extruded acrylic... i'll have to play with some cell cast when i build my larval traps to see if it works better. i've been getting minor gaps when i bend the strips.

[JG24]

I would say NO to HD. It is extruded material. You want to use cast material. It glues better, it's clearer, and polishes better.

I know you want to make the tank on the low cost. But, my two cents you don't want to skimp on the acrylic thickness. You will have bowing, maybe even with a added strip. I recently made a 4 x 2 x 10 out of 1/2" and it bowed ALOT. Even though your tank is short, there is still plenty of pressure. We ended up adding a 3/4" strip to solve the bowing.

Just my opinion.

[REEFSTOCK]

4'X2'X10" I presume.

[JG24]

Yes that's what I meant

[morty]

fwiw - to save on 3/8" cast material, I used .220" extruded from HD for the bottom of my frag tank, and it bonded fine. It doesn't machine as well as cast, but it still makes for a good seam.

[FastFish720]

Do you have any interest in buying my 2x2' tanks?

[Chad Vossen]

Do you have any interest in buying my 2x2' tanks?

pm sent