<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11477106#post11477106 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jade76
Can anyone ones help me with a small problem? Ive done 4 sumps now, and when I get glue on the face of the acrylic or when it runs outta my joints , Im having to sand it down. I use 600 then 1000grit and use a buffing compound but it still leavesa haze. HOw do I not leave a haze or better yet solve this problem?
Thanks for the insite James. Much appreicated. Can you shoot me a PM at some point, have a couple quick ones for you.<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11443778#post11443778 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Acrylics
Hi Jeff,
Sorry I missed this.
It's relatively simple in the process itself but I'm not sure I'd want to recommend making a 450-500 on your first try. Many of the tools required are similar to carpentry; saws, routers, clamps, etc. The differences are that the tooling is *generally* much sharper than than necessary for most wood jobs. I have different sets of tooling for working with wood & wood composites as many of them are extremely hard on tooling. Tolerances for fitting acrylic are (IMO) +/- .005-.010". Squareness is absolutely critical in this, even a few thousanths out of square will mean either the tank won't sit flat or has the potential for leaking (or worse). There are no fillers or putties allowed, get a scratch? start over unless you want the surface imperfection, a routed edge that is not perfectly smooth and flat should be re-routed until smooth and flat, sanding (even with a block) has a tendency to round over edges.
IMO at a minimum for a tank that size: 5hp+ panels saw, table saw, router table with 3+hp routers, 1"+ diameter straight cutter (primary smoothing of edges), 1/2" spiral flush cutter (for trimming the "flashing"), 1/4" spiral fluted cutter (overflow slots), trim router, chamfer or roundover bit (for easing edges), large flat gluing table, spring clamps, gluing jigs, solvent, applicator bottles, shims, wires or pins
Material weight will become an issue at some point as well, considering a 4 x 8' sheet of 1" acrylic weighs ~200lbs and most 500 gallon tanks will require 5 of them, possibly more if you want colored acrylic. You can by oversized sheets (5 x 8' and 6 x 8' sheets) but these are not stocked at many places. The tank will have to be flipped several times in the process so you have the weight and space issue.
Price out the acrylic you will need to see what it will cost you, then price out a completed tank, compare the differences and then factor in the time, tooling, and the "what if" factor (what if something goes wrong), as well as figure out (as best you can) can you do as good of a job as someone who does it professionally. Compare these and see what works best for you.
Not trying to scare you off as the pride factor is priceless and if you can save $$ - all the better, just that IMO a 500 gal tank is a bit more than I'd recommend for your first try. I'd recommend starting by building a smallish sump or 'fuge then maybe a small (55-120) gallon display tank, then maybe a 250-300 or so, then try the 450-500. At that time, you will have the necessary tooling, experience, and confidence in your abilities to tackle the job.
FWIW if I make it out to be easy, thank you, I had a master craftsman teach me for the first 7 yrs doing this but I've messed up a bunch of stuff over the yrs and still do from time to time (but shh don't tell anybody). Sux to do it when you have several thousand $$ invested in material and time and have to start over.
HTH,
James
When I glue the 4 sides together, I glue that assembly to the bottom, then flush-cut the bottom so it is true with the vertical panels. Is this what you mean?<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11524729#post11524729 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by truthdesigns
Question:
After I glue my sides, front & Back can I then route the bottom to make if perfectly square?
Hope this makes since![]()