Hey sea creature traders. this is in response to my disgruntled customer/friend as "Bad tank Builder". =(-
That situation went bad only because the other side of the argument has gone hostile. I can only warrant the tank in this case if the buyer is understanding of the equality in bartering. Give some to get some rule. Asking nicely helps too.
Anyway, I have noticed that some of the tanks I built before (2+ years) have crazed on the edges -2" from sides). Crazing is when the 1/32" surface of the acrylic cracks and has the appearance of cracked ice. This is not due to what material or brand it is as long as it is G --cast acrylic. not extruded.
Most production based tanks are flame polished, polished with heat in order to melt the material and make a nice edge. The material is chemically changed after it is flame polished and when exposed to long periods of pressure, UV light (halides), Heating and cooling, the material stretches and creates crazing. Crazing is not dangerous because it is only the 1/32" surface of the material. It aesthetically looks bad though.
Over the years, I have learned a great deal about acrylic fabrication. Custom tanks with an added charge$ are polished using a buffing pad. This method takes longer then flame polishing but the results are nicer.
Mechanically polishing with a buffing pad does not alter the chemical make up of the material. In theory, this will reduce crazing, time will tell.
That situation went bad only because the other side of the argument has gone hostile. I can only warrant the tank in this case if the buyer is understanding of the equality in bartering. Give some to get some rule. Asking nicely helps too.
Anyway, I have noticed that some of the tanks I built before (2+ years) have crazed on the edges -2" from sides). Crazing is when the 1/32" surface of the acrylic cracks and has the appearance of cracked ice. This is not due to what material or brand it is as long as it is G --cast acrylic. not extruded.
Most production based tanks are flame polished, polished with heat in order to melt the material and make a nice edge. The material is chemically changed after it is flame polished and when exposed to long periods of pressure, UV light (halides), Heating and cooling, the material stretches and creates crazing. Crazing is not dangerous because it is only the 1/32" surface of the material. It aesthetically looks bad though.
Over the years, I have learned a great deal about acrylic fabrication. Custom tanks with an added charge$ are polished using a buffing pad. This method takes longer then flame polishing but the results are nicer.
Mechanically polishing with a buffing pad does not alter the chemical make up of the material. In theory, this will reduce crazing, time will tell.
