Acrylic thickness for 375g tank (96" x 30" x 30")

[xenon]

I was quoted an EXCELENT price on a 375g tank in Acrylic.

The builder said it would be made of 1/2" acrylic. I figured that was a little thin for a tank this size.

Any feedback is a great help!

 

[BlueBadger]

I had mine made out of 1" basesd on the openings...I have a bunch of sample thickness, I'll pm you

 

[Acrylics]

IMO 3/4" at a minimum. 1/2" will hold water but will bow more than one would like to see in a tank, again IMO.

HTH,
James

 

[tangers]

I have the exact same tank and the whole thing is made of 3/4" hope that helps, a buddy of mine has a 230 gallon (60"x 30"30" approx) and it is 1/2" and it seems a little thin.

 

[tangers]

Also double check your dimensions because that same buddy and I both got tanks that they tried to false advertise. Mine being the same size yours is, but by the time you take in to consideration the wall thickness (internal volume only) it is only approx 335-340 gallons with 3/4" walls. Just something else to think about. If you are really going for the extra "gallonage" you might need to go bigger.

 

[GMFett]

3/4" Minimum on the sides. Top and bottom will work with 1/2"

 

[xenon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10813714#post10813714 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GMFett
3/4" Minimum on the sides. Top and bottom will work with 1/2"

That makes allot of sense but for a little more $$$ I would rather have it all 3/4".

 

[bboilek]

I almost bought a 275 tank that was advertised with 1/2 inch acrylic. I went to look at one that was already up and running and it was bowing out the front that you can see when standing on the side looking at the length of the tank (8'). I went with 3/4 for my 8' tank and do not see any bowing! I also have a 225 ready to set up at 6', and I also have 3/4 on that as well.

 

[bboilek]

Also, when I was looking around for a 300 G, I was quoted a good price until I found out that it was an extra $600.00 for 3/4 acrylic. Good luck!

 

[SaraB]

1/2" is way too thin! I personally would opt for 1", but you might squeak by with 3/4".

 

[GMFett]

Sara- 3/4 is plenty thick.

 

[steve the plumb]

Mine is 1/2" 96x30x24.I don't remember if 3/4" is needed when going 30" height.I had a 30" height tank before and my armpits would always get wet so I didn't want to go threw that hassle again.

 

[Acrylics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10816009#post10816009 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GMFett
Sara- 3/4 is plenty thick.

Yes and no, depends entirely on how many and what size openings you want. Huge openings with narrow bracing requires thicker material than small openings with big bracing for any desired deflection rate.

James

 

[xenon]

ok so 1/2" is possible on a 96x30x30 but it would have tiny openings with huge bracing?

 

[steve the plumb]

Look at my pics.My tank has 3 openings 2 of them are 20"x20" and the middle is 12"x18".The top bracing goes 6" all around and I have a center overflow.It was weird when I first got the tank because I never had an acrylic tank before but now I like it.I have 2 x 1 1/2" bulkheads in the overflow box and 2x 3/4" bulk heads for my return lines.The return lines are in the bulkheads that way you don't see any pipes.

 

[Acrylics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10816867#post10816867 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xenon
ok so 1/2" is possible on a 96x30x30 but it would have tiny openings with huge bracing?

Yes it's possible but even with *no* top openings - will bow more than one would like to see. I'd still say 3/4" at a minimum due to this fact.

HTH,
James

 

[SaraB]

I would also say it depends on the type of lighting you plan on using. If you are going to hit your tank with 4 - 400 Watt Metal Halides, I think thicker is better. I only speak from my experience having a 225 (72x24x30) that was made of 1/2" thick acrylic and had extreme bowing. Yes, others have been lucky and have no or little bowing. I now have the same tank made from 3/4" acrylic and have zero bowing. I tend to think that you get what you pay for in this hobby and I would rather be safe than sorry and have to swap tanks out later in the game due to bowing is all.

 

[xenon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10817532#post10817532 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sara B
I would also say it depends on the type of lighting you plan on using. If you are going to hit your tank with 4 - 400 Watt Metal Halides, I think thicker is better. I only speak from my experience having a 225 (72x24x30) that was made of 1/2" thick acrylic and had extreme bowing. Yes, others have been lucky and have no or little bowing. I now have the same tank made from 3/4" acrylic and have zero bowing. I tend to think that you get what you pay for in this hobby and I would rather be safe than sorry and have to swap tanks out later in the game due to bowing is all.

I am thinking about ordering a tank thru "Acrylic Tank Manufacturing" I found the size I need on their standard tank price list (96x36x30 @ 450g = $2899 USD)

It would be 3/4" thickness.

Does ATM make good quality tanks?

 

[SaraB]

Sorry, I'm not familiar with ATM ... hopefully someone else can chime in.

I do know quite a few people that have gotten their tanks from Envision Acrylic's and are extremely happy and a couple of them are even repeat customers as well.

 

[xenon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10817761#post10817761 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sara B
Sorry, I'm not familiar with ATM ... hopefully someone else can chime in.

I do know quite a few people that have gotten their tanks from Envision Acrylic's and are extremely happy and a couple of them are even repeat customers as well.

Their portfolio is quite impressive. They are the ones that built the water sphere for David Blane.

http://www.acrylicaquariums.com/aquariums_gallery.htm