anyone here work with acrylic to build a tank or give advice?

[gmneil]

anyone here buil acrylic tanks?

im trying to see how much a tank 24" by 21" and 10"deep would cost me.

and if i tried to do it my self how thick would the acrylic need to be?

 

[ILoveReefer]

Can't help you out to much, other than recommend a local supplier. Great lakes plastics on broadway has reasonable prices and a good selection. Once you find out how thick it needs to be I'd get a price estimate from them before going any further, it can get very expensive depending on the thickness. Here's a good link you may find helpful. http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_acrylic_aquarium.php

 

[bozler]

If it's only 10" deep I would go with 3/8ths. You could get away with 1/4 but if it's your first tank build 3/8ths is a little more forgiving to work and to glue.

Be sure to get your ends square and smooth. Either run them through a jointer or a table router. Be sure to have plenty of weights and good clamps.... Hmm what else, use Weld-on 3 with either the capillary weld technique or the "pins method". Also pick up a tube of Weld-on 16 for gap filling.

 

[gmneil]

thanks, if im not mistaken i can have the pieces cut to size, i would like to avoid as many mistakes as i can.. lol

and thanks for the link i am checking that out now

 

[pascal32]

I like the idea, keep us posted if you go through with building your own tank!

 

[bozler]

You can have it cut to size but seldom will they prep the edges for you. Even the shop saw they use won't produce a smooth enough cut for a solid weld. If you have any gaps it will leak. I think melev's site has some good info on acrylic

 

[shroutk3]

There are one or two good thread in the do it yourself section that are long-running acrylic instructions and advice. I think that would be a good place to go.