Will it work for my next tank?

[gonzalez78]

So, I'm thinking for my next tank I want something shallow. I have been looking at different things and getting some prices.... Tap wants over $80 for all 5 pieces of acrylic but I'm afraid of getting it scratched.... Another Idea I am having is buying 2 10 gallon tanks and taking them apart and just using the back and front panels of both as the sides. My question is do you think it would work if I was to use acrylic for the bottom or should I try to find a piece of glass instead? I'm thinking if I use acrylic I can drill it in the future and have it sumped but in the meantime I will use an AC70 for media filtration.....


Feel free to chyme in.

 

[Rarend99]

Check out arches glass in cotati. The problem is acrylic doesn't use the same glue as glass, second you'd need thicker glass than what the 10 gallon uses if you enlarge the tank size

 

[gonzalez78]

cool thanks ill check them out see if i can get a good price on the pieces... the tank should be 20x20x12

 

[NeonFish]

I thought of using these guys for a while:
http://www.professionalplastics.com/AquariumProductsPlastics

 

[gonzalez78]

Thanks but I want to try and stick with glass since it's harder to scratch

 

[gonzalez78]

Ok if I was to go with acrylic what thickness would you recommend? Also should the sides be placed on top or on the sides of the bottom piece?

 

[Dragonvale]

Ok if I was to go with acrylic what thickness would you recommend? Also should the sides be placed on top or on the sides of the bottom piece?

http://diyfishkeepers.com/AcrylicThicknessCalculator.htm

I'd look how truvue creates their tanks for reference or any other tank builders. I made shallow frag tanks back in the days which worked well.

 

[gonzalez78]

Cool thanks I was thinking of either 3/8 even up to 1/2" for more safety.

 

[woodnaquanut]

If you are considering acrylic, check out the acrylic thread in the DIY section here on RC.

Upsize the acrylic thickness if you are going to try 'rimless'.

 

[gonzalez78]

I've been looking more into it and I'm thinking of doing a euro brace type deal just so it will not bow. I'm also more inclined to using 1/2"

 

[AMAYEU]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2404073

 

[gonzalez78]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2404073

Thanks MIke

 

[AMAYEU]

Luis, pm me. Will be in Santa Rosa tomorrow. I can give you the redsea max skimmer and pumps, if you are still picking up Josh's tank.

 

[gonzalez78]

Thanks Mike I have been waiting for an answer from Josh about the tank if I will still get it from him.

 

[D-Nak]

If that deal falls through, have you considered a 24" x 24" x 12" tank? There are plenty of manufacturers that make them. I have two Mr. Aqua MA-610s and actually like them. When I first received them, the glass looked really thin, but once filled, it actually looks like it'll hold up to the pressure.

I know it's a long drive for you, but the last time I was at Albany Aquarium, they had one sitting in the front of the store.

Looks like the same sized tank sold a few days ago, but if you look around, you may find another:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2404635

 

[gonzalez78]

Yeah I was looking into that also but I think 24x24 is just a bit too big for the space I have.