Large Acrylic Tanks
- Thread starter ca1ore
- Start date
Let me suggest, again, that you don't have the foggiest idea of what you are talking about. An acrylic tank is about 1/3 to 1/2 the weight of a corresponding glass tank. Maker of the 400 gallon acrylic tank states it weighs 480 lbs. Beyond that it's simple math, yet I shall elucidate for you .....
400 gallons @ 8.34 lbs. is 3,336 ..... with me so far? About 250 lbs of rock, another 200 lbs. of sand. It will displace some water, but lets ignore that for now. Stand weighs in at about 200 lbs.
3,336 + 450 + 200 + 480 = 4,466 .... so I was a bit short at 4.300. Thus endeth the lesson.
Oh, and PS, don't believe everything you watch on TV .... unless you're the President :lol:
Oh, and double PS, this is my thread so stay out of it. I shall more than happily extend you that same courtesy.
400 gallons @ 8.34 lbs. is 3,336 ..... with me so far? About 250 lbs of rock, another 200 lbs. of sand. It will displace some water, but lets ignore that for now. Stand weighs in at about 200 lbs.
3,336 + 450 + 200 + 480 = 4,466 .... so I was a bit short at 4.300. Thus endeth the lesson.
Oh, and PS, don't believe everything you watch on TV .... unless you're the President :lol:
Oh, and double PS, this is my thread so stay out of it. I shall more than happily extend you that same courtesy.
Last edited:
I too, was inspired by his wise posting. I have 20 tangs in my large drink cup from McDonalds. :lolspin:
tkeracer619
New member
I was about to make a suggestion. Looks like the mods are one step ahead today!
:ape: :wavehand:
:ape: :wavehand:
I've hit the 4 year mark (well, almost) with my 265 and a combination of skill and dumb luck has left me with a tank that is desperately in need of a major pruning. I just figure if I'm going to have to pull out a bunch of major colonies I might as well just get a bigger tank at the same time. Makes perfect sense to me :lmao:
tkeracer619
New member
You can send some sps to me if you want 
DasCamel
Active member
slief
RC Sponsor
Yes.. At least for the 96x30 panels. Those are big panels and will most certainly deflect if they are only 3/4" thick IMO. A friend had a 96x48x30 and it was 3/4" and it deflected. Granted it was 48 instead of 36" but your are talking a very big panel. I'd go at least 1" and frankly if it were me personally, I wouldn't go less than 1.25" for the front back and top panels. My biggest panels are 96x24" and I went with 1.25 for that very reason. You can go less on the sides and bottom but you're much better off going with the thicker material on the front, back and top panels and if you can afford 1" for the rest, that would be my advice as the sides are going to be seam surfaces. If you build it right, the tank will last forever. If you cut corners, it will deflect and kraze. Regardless, I wouldn't go less than 1" on your tank and ideally 1.25" on the bigger panels. 96x30" is a big panel and there will be a lot of pressure in the tank pushing outward. If you're going to do it, do it right. 3/4" is way too thin for that size IMO.
Last edited:
What he said. Having built a couple big tanks you should expect a little bowing (~1/4" to 1/2" side to side in center) when full if you use 1"
i got 300 Gal. (72 x 34 x 31 ) is 1" thick , 90 Gal. refuge 60 gal. swamp all Acrylic. If i was you i will got MAX. height 28" , pain to clean , no matter Acrylic or Glass , never like sand , so i run BB most of the time , i use to have glass tanks got scratch also , not sure if you can remove at easy Acrylic. Not to mention how "pure" SPS look on Acrylic compare with any Glass. I clean by using one special sponge for Acrylic , manual, i give up one magnet, i got more control , not to mention how easy you drill, i mod. my overflow i make it one side , in stand back, in my opinion is more efficient , remove Detritus a way faster ( in special when run Gyro pumps). Now C/P
" Acrylic aquariums are 17x stronger, softer and more flexible than glass.
In addition, they are more impact resistant, weigh 50% less and are not prone to chip or crack.
Acrylic aquariums offer better insulation than glass aquariums, reducing temperature flux and improving the quality of life for your fish.
Acrylic fish tanks are as clear as optical glass (at 93% transparency) and don't add a green tint. "
" Acrylic aquariums are 17x stronger, softer and more flexible than glass.
In addition, they are more impact resistant, weigh 50% less and are not prone to chip or crack.
Acrylic aquariums offer better insulation than glass aquariums, reducing temperature flux and improving the quality of life for your fish.
Acrylic fish tanks are as clear as optical glass (at 93% transparency) and don't add a green tint. "
ycnibrc
STAG HORN DOMINATE REEF
The thicker the Acrylic the harder for you to attach power head I just set up a 96x36x24 3/4" Acrylic and both tunze 6105 I have to buy we xtrab strong magnet additional 90 I have to sell both of my mp40wd cause it won't stick. The only pump that stick is the gyre xf250 so far so good luck if u go to 1"
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
slief
RC Sponsor
It's easy to remove scratches from acrylic tanks. I documented each step of the process with pictures and video. You can remove the scratches from inside the tank and make it look virtually new while it's full with some elbow grease and the correct sanding pads and a good magnet scrubber.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2538092
I wouldn't expect the MP40 would 'stick' with 1", but it's rated for 3/4". Are you saying yours did not work for 3/4"?
slief
RC Sponsor
I agree. If I could do my tank over again, I would go 30 but the cost difference between the 24" tall and 30" tall tank was/is huge because you end up needing 2 additional sheets of acrylic since the sheets are normally 48" wide. That ultimately was a deciding factor for me when I built my tank. At that point, you are almost better off going with a 96"x48"x30" tank because the material costs are about the same. If you have the space, you should give that some serious thought. The cost difference may be negligible or even a 96x48x24. That might even save you some money while giving you a bigger footprint.
Jazeel55
New member
I am also looking to get a acrylic tank. 84x40x30 am putting mines in basement concrete so weight won't be a problem. There is a builder in linden NJ but they act too busy to build for the public. I reached out to acrylic creation is pa. Prices weren't too bad there's a spot I. Florida call fish tank direct they can build any size tank there prices are good. They might sell that size you want which will make it cheaper. Plus free freight shipping.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I have a dedicated fish room for the mechanicals, but the display goes into the FR. 36" is already pushing it.
