acrylic plastic vs. plexi glass?

[BenH98]

I am wanting to build my own overflow, sump/refugium and was wondering what material to make it out of. I have read that acrylic plastic works best... but what about plexi glass? I can get plexi glass pretty cheap at my local hardware store, but is it going to get the job done? Does anyone have any advice? Thanks!

 

[chipmaker]

Plexiglass is acrylic plastic. Plexi-Glass is a brand name IIRC by Rohm Ind. BAsically what you want is an acryulic plastic as such that is preferably cell cast not extruded for best results. Odds are your local hardware or any big box builder supply is gong to carry extruded type. It will work though. Both are cut, drilled, finished and bonded the same way so nothing is going to be any different in that aspect of working with extruded vrs cast.

 

[Ti]

same stuff, different name

 

[BenH98]

thanks for the info...

 

[areze]

chances are you dont want to build a sump out of extruded. I dont know why, just read it a million times.

 

[spslover123]

I think extruded absorbs more water or something like that. I dont think its as strong and wears out faster

 

[240-Reefer]

extruted is made up from tiny pellets pressed together and cast is a pour. now you know why