Acrylic Sheeting

[Andrew]

Ive been thinking about trying to make a sump from acrylic. Im getting it from a local plastic store in town. Im getting the 24" x 24" sheets. My question is, how think should I go?

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pr...SPlastic&category_name=21314&product_id=10477

 

[rivdog]

u should probably state what size sump u have in mind, to find out how think it should be. I wish i lived near USP

 

[Andrew]

Im going for a cube. Don't plan on trimming down any of the sheets. 24'' x 24'' x 24'' If I would to make a main tank from this stuff, how thick would I need?

 

[Roland Jacques]

1/4 is the thickest they go, in 24"x 24", and that is the thinest i would go, so thier you go.

If this not going to have any reinforcement (cross-section baffles....) you might not want your water level going over 18" at 24" of water it might come apart.

this dose not say cell cast acrylic, I only used cell cast because it is suppose to be stronger..... Dose anyone no if that is an issue?

 

[Acrylics]

The primary difference (for our purposes) between cell cast and extruded is their relative capabilities to handle stress. For pressure vessels such as aquaria, you want a material that can handle stress well. Extruded material is pre-stressed due to the mfg process itself and further stresses *can* lead to material failure. This is the primary reason to use cell cast acrylic over extruded for aquaria.

To answer the original question, I'd need to know if you plan on using any top perimeter bracing, AKA eurobracing and what the maximum water level will be when power goes out. 1/4" will hold water if you use a perimeter flange but is doubtful if you don't esp if there are any "less than perfect" joints. IMHO 3/8" is the thinnest that should be used and if no perimeter bracing - 1/2" (min) would be recommended. Also, please use a good quality material such as Cyro Acrylite GP, Polycast, or Plexi-Glas G (all cell cast acrylics BTW) .

HTH,
James

 

[Roland Jacques]

James, is the stuff in his link cell cast or not? it says Acrylite isent that just the brand, or dose that mean it is cell cast?

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pr...duct_id=10477

 

[Acrylics]

Doesn't say, most companies will brag if it's cell cast, this doesn't. This, along with the fact that it's film masked leaves me with the presumption that it's extruded but I could be mistaken. You can get cell cast in film masked but it's kinda rare and usually by special order. I looked at the MSDS and it's for both cast and extruded. After looking at the pricing, my guess is that it's extruded until 3/8" at which point it is cell cast, just looking at the price per sq ft jump.

HTH,
James

 

[BeanAnimal]

Andre, you will be able to buy it localy cheaper. I get mine here in pittsburgh at TAP plastics. There are likely half a dozen places close to you that sell (or can get) cell cast acrylic.

Bean