Anyone make acrylic tanks locally?
- Thread starter Unarce
- Start date
can you be more specific ? what size, purpose, etc ? IE: Display tank, prop tank, sump, separate refugium, 20 gal, 40 gal, 300 gal, etc. 
I have seen some large scale acrylic tanks built on site, and then some smaller ones built to order, then there is always TruVu down in Hayward, although you need to go through a retailer for them.
Then again, all depending on the size, you can always just make it yourself
.
I have seen some large scale acrylic tanks built on site, and then some smaller ones built to order, then there is always TruVu down in Hayward, although you need to go through a retailer for them.
Then again, all depending on the size, you can always just make it yourself
.
Unarce
Unshackled
Wouldn't trust myself making one, Tom:lol:
I just need an oddly shaped 7g tall to maximize the space in my stand. I was kind of surprised with what glasscages quoted me:
'20 x 5 x 16 tall acrylic aquarium and shiipping via UPS $95.00'
Then again, 10g talls go for about $100 retail.
I just need an oddly shaped 7g tall to maximize the space in my stand. I was kind of surprised with what glasscages quoted me:
'20 x 5 x 16 tall acrylic aquarium and shiipping via UPS $95.00'
Then again, 10g talls go for about $100 retail.
Well, we made our 30 gallon loooong prop tank (40" X 16" X 10") about 6 months ago or so. It is alot easier than you might think, and I prefer acrylic to glass since it bonds versus glues together .
I would be more than happy to help you out with it, as we have most of the necessary tools already. The biggest down side to doing it ourselves is that it actually often costs more than finding the equivalent used, but the benefit is in ending up with something that perfectly matches our needs and optimizes the space, versus settling on something that is "close enough".
Let me know the exact dimensions and I can work with you on it and get you the rough materials cost. Depending on the size we also may be able to utilize scrap acrylic from the Tap Plastics "left over cut" bin, which lowers the price even further, and I most likely would have enough here to do it without even visiting the store (I like to browse the scrap bin whenever I am there, so pick out the larger, thicker pieces, for projects, etc.) We built alot of our brackets and shelves in our tank setup from scrap acrylic.
.I would be more than happy to help you out with it, as we have most of the necessary tools already. The biggest down side to doing it ourselves is that it actually often costs more than finding the equivalent used, but the benefit is in ending up with something that perfectly matches our needs and optimizes the space, versus settling on something that is "close enough".
Let me know the exact dimensions and I can work with you on it and get you the rough materials cost
. Depending on the size we also may be able to utilize scrap acrylic from the Tap Plastics "left over cut" bin, which lowers the price even further, and I most likely would have enough here to do it without even visiting the store (I like to browse the scrap bin whenever I am there, so pick out the larger, thicker pieces, for projects, etc.) We built alot of our brackets and shelves in our tank setup from scrap acrylic. 
radiolunatic
New member
Tom,
I bought a Weld On 4 to fix my leak ER skimmer and now I have plenty of those. Is that the glue that you use to bond acrylic? What other things that you will need to make a tank? I am just curious and thinking to do like what you are doing, go to scrap box and make a small tank/nano tank to play around since I have the glue anyway. Maybe someday I can make my own prop tank after practicing with scrap acrylic. I guess I do not have the saw to cut it. Do I need a special saw? Anyway, what tools do you think I need?
I bought a Weld On 4 to fix my leak ER skimmer and now I have plenty of those. Is that the glue that you use to bond acrylic? What other things that you will need to make a tank? I am just curious and thinking to do like what you are doing, go to scrap box and make a small tank/nano tank to play around since I have the glue anyway. Maybe someday I can make my own prop tank after practicing with scrap acrylic. I guess I do not have the saw to cut it. Do I need a special saw? Anyway, what tools do you think I need?
oops, ok, I just re-read your second post.. you know the one where you noted the dimensions .
That comes out to just over 2' sq worth of acrylic and should run about $40 in acrylic costs from Tap Plastics. The glue and other supplies would add maybe another $5. I have all of the necessary additional "supplies", so you wouldn't have to worry about those, especially since I priced out the minimum sizes that they sell which would still be alot more than you would need.
So for approximately $40, we could build that tank/sump, in about an hour (actually a whole lot less for one that size, but I am being extremely generous with the time). Give me a shout if you want me to help out. I could always build it and just drop it off the next time we are in your area, or something like that. You helped us out in the past, the least we can do is repay the favor
. That comes out to just over 2' sq worth of acrylic and should run about $40 in acrylic costs from Tap Plastics. The glue and other supplies would add maybe another $5. I have all of the necessary additional "supplies", so you wouldn't have to worry about those, especially since I priced out the minimum sizes that they sell which would still be alot more than you would need
.So for approximately $40, we could build that tank/sump, in about an hour (actually a whole lot less for one that size, but I am being extremely generous with the time). Give me a shout if you want me to help out. I could always build it and just drop it off the next time we are in your area, or something like that. You helped us out in the past, the least we can do is repay the favor
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6901895#post6901895 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sparkss
Well, we made our 30 gallon loooong prop tank (40" X 16" X 10") about 6 months ago or so. It is alot easier than you might think, and I prefer acrylic to glass since it bonds versus glues together
I'm no chemist, but from what I understand silicone actually bonds to glass, not just adheres to it. I've built DIY glass and acrylic tanks and found glass much much easier. It's usually much more expensive getting glass cut the size you want though. Just my 2 cents.
I just meant the difference between silicone and weldon. Weldon actually fuses/melts the acrylic pieces together. But like you, I am no chemist . I am also impatient, so acrylic is more "instant gratification" , but for a display tank I would only want glass. And since I only do it as a hobby, I really only know what my limited experience has imparted upon me
. I am also impatient, so acrylic is more "instant gratification" , but for a display tank I would only want glass. And since I only do it as a hobby, I really only know what my limited experience has imparted upon me 
