Acrylic tank thickness

[Kaidman]

I'm looking at a ~280 gallon acrylic tank. It's made out of 1/2" cell cast acrylic and eurobraced. Dimensions are 90"L x 24"W x 30"H. Is that thickness fine?

 

[SFish]

I know for a 150 it is. I think your ok but im not 100% sure. You can alway take it out side and fill it up with water. If you take a look at some of the DIY kings videos on YouTube he's made some big tanks im sure somewhere he'll say the thickness. By the way How much did it set you back to make the tank as im thinking of doing the same one day.

 

[AshlynnsDad]

The calculator at the below link is fairly accurate.

Calculator

 

[Kaidman]

They are asking $2700 new.

 

[SFish]

Someone made this for you or are you thinking of buying it? You can get a 280 gallon glass tank for $1322.

 

[CuzzA]

I would ask this question in the acrylic thread in the diy forum. I suspect they're going to say that is borderline safe and will most certainly bow. I wouldn't buy it. But that's my opinion, I'm not an expert on the subject, but have some experience with acrylic. That's a lot of water just dying to escape.

 

[SFish]

That's a lot of water just dying to escape.

Very true

 

[ericarenee]

I would ask this question in the acrylic thread in the diy forum. I suspect they're going to say that is borderline safe and will most certainly bow. I wouldn't buy it. But that's my opinion, I'm not an expert on the subject, but have some experience with acrylic. That's a lot of water just dying to escape.

1+ I do not think its thick enough.

Our 72 bay front tank is 7/16 thick.. Its like 42x14x30 ish in size.. You can put a flat edge from one side to the other on the main front flat surface and it bows out a good 1/2 inch if not more... Kinda Scary But the tank has been up for over a year ..

 

[SFish]

1+ I do not think its thick enough.

Our 72 bay front tank is 7/16 thick.. Its like 42x14x30 ish in size.. You can put a flat edge from one side to the other on the main front flat surface and it bows out a good 1/2 inch if not more... Kinda Scary But the tank has been up for over a year ..

Just wondering for future builds what if you put extra bracing or is it just to tall?

 

[ericarenee]

Just wondering for future builds what if you put extra bracing or is it just to tall?

I would think there is no way of bracing it properly other then running a piece of acrylic upright thru there viewing area of the front of the tank..

On the back i put a internal overflow box that is about 14 inches wide. the two upright pieces is holding the back nicely...

 

[Kaidman]

Thanks all, I'll probably end up passing on this one. I have been looking at glass, but having a long lead time from the time of order and deciding on overflow etc was becoming a headache. With this one ready to go it was looking appealing. Back to the drawing board.

CuzzA did you go with Ultra Clear glass for your new tank from Custom Aquariums or just standard glass?

 

[rfgonzo]

1/2'' acrylic shouldn't be used in a tank taller then 24''. Even with proper bracing your aquarium will still bow.

 

[snorvich]

1/2'' acrylic shouldn't be used in a tank taller then 24''. Even with proper bracing your aquarium will still bow.

I agree. I think 3/4 inch minimum.

 

[SFish]

1/2'' acrylic shouldn't be used in a tank taller then 24''. Even with proper bracing your aquarium will still bow.

Thank you
Good to know