Plexiglass vs acrylic?

[ethuman]

I'm going to be making some diy dosing containers but i just want to make sure that the plexiglass that is sold at Home Depot is ok to use? Or should i be looking to buy something different? TIA

 

[Gorgok]

Plexiglass is acrylic. Its a brand, common here in the US, while someone in the UK would probably talk about Perspex similarly...

What isn't acrylic (but sounds similar to the above) is polycarbonate (commonly called one brand name, Lexan).

The stuff at HD/Lowes is extruded and fairly thin, but i wouldn't worry about using it for small things like a dosing container at all. I even made a sump out of the ~0.220" thick stuff. It wasn't very tall or long in any unsupported dimension (maybe 18" tall? can't remember).

 

[ethuman]

Great thanks for the reply. I just wanted to make sure before I went out and bought it that #1 it would work and #2 it was safe for the tank.

 

[albano]

I have also used HD acrylic for frag tanks and containers... Still in use 10 yrs later!

 

[mcgyvr]

Just a FYI..
This place has great pricing on "better" cast acrylic sheets in all colors/thicknesses,etc...
http://www.estreetplastics.com/Default.asp
I use them all the time just be cause its better than the extruded stuff HD has.. And cheaper too..

 

[ethuman]

Thanks I’ll take a look into it. Thanks!

 

[ethuman]

Should I use 3/16” or you think 1/8” is strong enough. Containers are going to be about 2x12x15tall

 

[ClownNut]

at least 1/4

 

[bblumberg]

Just a FYI..
This place has great pricing on "better" cast acrylic sheets in all colors/thicknesses,etc...
http://www.estreetplastics.com/Default.asp
I use them all the time just be cause its better than the extruded stuff HD has.. And cheaper too..

+1 on Estreet plastics. They also cut to order for not such a high price as well.