trying to build a breeding/rearing tank out 4'x8' sheet of acrylic

[hotelbravo]

I was visiting my local recycle center and found a 4 foot by 8 foot sheet of acrylic. They let me have it but the paper protective sheet was left on and due to a while of being rained on and then sitting out in the sun the paper dried to the sheet and I can't seem to scrub it off with. I haven't tried any products like goo'gon was wondering what you guys thought I should do. I was thinking of cutting it to the sized pieces I need and then soaking the pieces in a large tub of hot soapy water or should I clean it off before I try to cut the sheet.

As far as the build goes I'm planning a 6 foot long, 1 foot tall and wide tank with 6 sections all plumbed together and I was going to have a 40 gallon breeder as a sumperson with refugium.
I planned on using this to raise clown fry.
I've got lots of questions as I've never worked on something like this before
I planned in having a glass cutting company cut the acrylic for me they quoted me 2$ a cut.
How do I bind together the acrylic I know you can't silicon it?
How can I plumb them together but keep the tiny clown fry from squeezing threw slots or holes drilled in the inside deviders?
Could I use a screen to cover up the slots and somehow bind the screen to the sides?
I've heard something about acrylic expanding when wet.. can someone go into detail on this and how that would affect measurements?
Again with the question earlier on how to clean the paper sheeting off the acrylic without messing it up?
Some other questions I can't quite remember right now

 

[s2nhle]

You can use the weldon to bind the acrylic.

 

[sfsuphysics]

How thick is the acrylic before you decide to build a tank out of it.

As to removing the paper unfortunately hot soapy water won't do much. I had some luck with a heat gun and mineral spirits, then the soapy water to clean off any residue from the mineral spirits.

 

[hotelbravo]

It's 1/4th inch thick.

 

[genetao]

For removing the sheet, try adhering duct tape to it and pull it off with that (or some other strong and aggresive tape). Make sure you make a pull tab so that you're able to pull the tape off.

As far as gluing acrylic, you are right, you can't use silicone. That won't work. What you want is this:

http://www.tapplastics.com/product/repair_products/plastic_adhesives/tap_acrylic_cement/130

And on that same page, scroll down to the bottom to watch the video on how to glue acrylic. I've done this before, and so long as your cuts are straight and square, it should be fairly simple to create a tank.

 

[hotelbravo]

For removing the sheet, try adhering duct tape to it and pull it off with that (or some other strong and aggresive tape). Make sure you make a pull tab so that you're able to pull the tape off.

As far as gluing acrylic, you are right, you can't use silicone. That won't work. What you want is this:

http://www.tapplastics.com/product/repair_products/plastic_adhesives/tap_acrylic_cement/130

And on that same page, scroll down to the bottom to watch the video on how to glue acrylic. I've done this before, and so long as your cuts are straight and square, it should be fairly simple to create a tank.

Thanks I'll try the tap method on a small section. If it works then I might need a few rolls.
And thanks for the link.

 

[hotelbravo]

Anyone else have any tips or experience building something like this

 

[dcforester1]

There is a whole thread on it in the DIY section. I don't want to burst your bubble but with 1/4" it's going to be to thin.

 

[hotelbravo]

There is a whole thread on it in the DIY section. I don't want to burst your bubble but with 1/4" it's going to be to thin.

My 90 gallon is made out of 1/4th inch glass I know it's glass and it's stronger . This will be smaller and as I have mentioned it is a 6 foot tank that is divided into many sections. Think of it this way. 6 one foot tanks plumbed together that's not a big tank and I've seen 1/4th used on much larger tanks. That's 5.88 gallon tanks times 6. Essentially it's at the max a 35 gallon tank that has quite a few panels of center bracing from the dividers.
I find it unbelievable that it would be to thin

 

[dcforester1]

This should help you out, and answer any questions


http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=9339518#post9339518

 

[codyreed29]

I wouldn t go any bigger then ten gallon section and I would test outside for at least a week.