1/4 inch acrylic tank?

[myfrostymember]

i am wondering what the maximum length you can take 1/4 acrlyic before it starts to bow out? I am wondering if you can make it go 48 inches with one brace in the middle-- if the tank would only be about 10 inches tall-- if it wouldnt make it with one brace would it work if i put two braces and equal points on the tank?

im looking to make a very shallow tank 10 inches tall but around 36-48 inchs long and not sure how deep yet.

anyone with acrylic experience some ideas or advice would be nice

[reefnetworth]

whats the desired width? :confused:

[reefnetworth]

1/4 acrylic bows quite easy. if i were going 36-48" i would use at least 3/8-1/2" with Euro-Brace in stead of just cross braces. :)

[mountaindew]

i have used cyro plastics brand acrylic and their website has web calculator that will give you thickness for a given size tank
http://www.cyro.com/Internet/SiteContent.nsf/GP2004!OpenPage

[sandiegan]

IMO you should be able to do 48" but I'd go closer to 36". And this is only if you use eurobracing. It's really easy to do, just add a strip about 2" wide on top of both long sides.

[CMcNeil]

cyro calculator says you can make the tank 48"long x10" tall from 1/4 "

[Acrylics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10389612#post10389612 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by checkinhawk
cyro calculator says you can make the tank 48"long x10" tall from 1/4 " Yes but they state nothing about recommended bracing and only a multiplier if you are going rimless (wrong number for this as well), and nothing about deflection tolerances, so the calculator gives dubious results at best IMO.
10" high without a flange will bow out, throw and 2" perimeter flange (aka eurobrace) and a crossbrace on there and you're good.

HTH,
James

[CMcNeil]

i put in that it had a closed top.i just neglected to say that.

[Acrylics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10389714#post10389714 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by checkinhawk
i put in that it had a closed top.i just neglected to say that. I got that :) Just ask Cyro to define their term "closed top", that's why I say they don't mention anything about recommended bracing.
While the Cyro calc is the best out there, it's got plenty of faults and should not be solely relied on to determine material thickness IMO.

James

[myfrostymember]

ok thanks for all the input guys--looks like i might try to do it 48x16 and 10 inches tall with a euro brace around the whole tank--

the euro would be good at 2 inches thick you guys think?

[CMcNeil]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10389759#post10389759 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Acrylics
I got that :) Just ask Cyro to define their term "closed top", that's why I say they don't mention anything about recommended bracing.
While the Cyro calc is the best out there, it's got plenty of faults and should not be solely relied on to determine material thickness IMO.

James

gotcha

[CMcNeil]

i would think 2" should be fine.