Looking for 65gal+(36" long) Acrylic Tank...

[wcoast]

Looking to upgrade my 46 gal tall, but I can't exceed 36" length...
(went and custom built a 40" long Beetle Kill Pine stand for the 46...)
Just wondering if anyone might have anything to sell.

Thanks all.

Wes

 

[adova]

I say let's build it

 

[wcoast]

I would like to but I've never worked with acrylic before. I'm not so bad with woodworking, but I've heard that silicone and acrylic can be tricky.

 

[adova]

It is super easy. The hardest part is cutting it with perfect edges, but, you can get all of the acrylic cut for you at the supplier (I use Port Plastics). 1/4" is $92 per sheet (4' X 8'). Then, you simply use Weldon #4 which is a very thin liquid to glue the sides together (which are cut perfect form the supplier). Then, I use Weldon #16 (thicker) to give a second bond at the inner seam. I have never used silicone before ...

You get perfect dimensions for your project and holes wherever you need them...

Oh, yea, the cuts are free.

 

[wcoast]

Sounds great, can they bend/shape the acrylic to make eased edge corners?
I would definitely like to try and make my own... Do you use basic clamps to get
your angles straight? I appreciate the info!

 

[adova]

Unfortunately, the bend / shape concept is not going to happen from this process. I mean, I know you can do it, but it would have to be yourself and could prove tough. For getting everything straight, I just use right angles and a little tape...

 

[wcoast]

Interesting. I can live without the bends I guess. I'm thinking of going 36"x24"x24"....
Probably need to beef up the thickness to 3/8" or 1/2" wouldn't I? Do you order the
adhesive online?

 

[adova]

1/4" should be fine if you do not mind creating a lip around the op to act as a bracer. As a reference, I am making a 72" x 20" x 20" this weekend out of 1/4".

The adhesive cannot be purchased online, I don't think, as there are shipping restrictions on it. However, there are local places that sell it depending on your location - one off hand is near Quebec and I-70 (near the Port plastics I mentioned) and the other is near a LFS - Keys I think.

Shawn

 

[wcoast]

Thanks for all your help, you've inspired me to tackle this project.
Probably build it here in a week or 2. I'll update you! Thanks again.

Wes

 

[adova]

No problem - feel free to drop me a line for info, etc....

 

[xsocali]

1/4" is to thin even with a euro brace across the top...go check out some acrylic builds on RC and see what people are using for thinkness.Hate for you to spend the money and then have it bow on you.

 

[wcoast]

I've been researching building with acrylic online, and it seems that there is more of a need to use thicker acrylic the higher you go. In my case, I want to build a 90 gallon as:
40"long x 22" wide x 24" high. I know its a weird size, but it fits my stand perfectly. I have read that I need to use 1/2", but I wonder if I can get away with 3/8"... Now to get some syringes and start practicing seaming with acrylic scraps.

I think I'll start a new thread on this. Thanks again Shawn.

 

[adova]

If you want to avoid syringes, they sell an applicator at the same place you buy the weldon.

With regards to the thickness, just check out the different costs associated. I seem to remember that they are significant. My 1/4" call is just based on the sumps and other holding tanks that have never showed any bowing, with my highest being a 24" cube...

 

[snidelywhiplash]

If your interested I have a custom cube acrylic tank for sale with stand it's 43x23x32 with center overflow and black background. Stand is 48x24 though...