Acrylic build questions

[JustinReef]

A while ago I got some really great advice from a bunch of people here on building an acrylic tank. I decided to just get a custom glass tank made instead but now I am back to wanting a custom acrylic. I was having one made but the guy has been impossible to deal with and I wouldn't mind giving it a shot myself.

Anyways, a few very simple questions for now...

1. What were the two or three brands of acrylic I should be looking for? I know it needs to be cell cast but I can't remember anything else.

2. What thickness would you recommend for a 6'x2.5'x18"tall?

Thanks!

[JustinReef]

Was Cyro Acrylite one of the ones to stay away from?

[Acrylics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13206143#post13206143 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by justinpsmith
Was Cyro Acrylite one of the ones to stay away from? Nope, Cyro makes good stuff. Use with confidence IMO. THe 3 brands I'd personally recommend are: Polycast, Cyro Acrylite GP, and Plexiglas G, in that order of preference. All are cell cast and all are good for the application.

I'd use 1/2" for that tank with bracing though you may be able to "get away" with 3/8" with more bracing.

Good luck with your project :)

HTH,
James

[JustinReef]

Thanks James.

Im very nervous about trying it. I will start with a smaller project though. I figure I will practice with a little tank or maybe a sump.

I guess the only reason I am even considering trying it is because there are so many good resources here on RC and I would be really proud to have built my own tank! Plus I just have not found anyone here locally to build me this tank for a decent price. I keep getting quotes of around $1500. Maybe thats reasonable but just a bit too much for me right now.

Can I ask how much a 4x8' sheet of Acrylite should go for? I got one quote for 1/2" at $320 a sheet which seems expensive but again, I don't know how much this stuff costs.

I will go with 1/2" for sure.

[JustinReef]

Oh and for you experienced builders like James, what is the biggest tank with at least a 6' length that I can get out of 2 4x8" sheets? Or will I need 3 for sure?

Obviously 2.5' in width would be out of the question. But Im open to suggestions. All I know for sure is I want 6', shallow and would prefer 2 sheets to keep the cost down a bit.

[Acrylics]

You should be able to get a 78 x 30 x 18" tank out of 2 sheets fairly easily. 3" eurobrace & a coupla 6" crossbraces would yield 3 top openings measuring ~20 x 24" with plenty of structure.

Price sounds about right for 1/2" considering Canadien dollars. Acrylic is up an average of ~40% here in the US this year so with your dollar..yep about right. $10/ft is relatively cheap for good material here in the states, esp for retail.

Be patient, we'll help whenever/wherever we can :)

HTH,
James

[RedDmon]

Without consideration to blade or router width you should be able to get a 72" x 24" x 18" out of two sheets with eurobrace top, and have enough for a small sump or overflows or some other little project.

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13211020#post13211020 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RedDmon
Without consideration to blade or router width you should be able to get a 72" x 24" x 18" out of two sheets with eurobrace top, and have enough for a small sump or overflows or some other little project.

Cool, I will need lots of small pieces to practice with! I am very, very nervous about doing this (excited too) but I think I am going to go ahead and order the pieces next week.

Would it be too much to ask for a cut list for the 78"x24"x18" dimensions?

What exactly should I ask for in terms of how I want the edges finished? I believe I do not want anything done until after its built right?

[RedDmon]

I left the layout in the office. If you can wait til Monday I can send it.

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13214005#post13214005 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RedDmon
I left the layout in the office. If you can wait til Monday I can send it.

Oh yeah Im in no rush at all...especially when people are willing to help :)

[Acrylics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13212865#post13212865 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by justinpsmith
Would it be too much to ask for a cut list for the 78"x24"x18" dimensions?

What exactly should I ask for in terms of how I want the edges finished? I believe I do not want anything done until after its built right?

For 78 x 24 x 18" using 1/2":

2 pcs 78.25 x 17" (front/back)
2 pcs 23 x 17" (ends)
2 pcs 78.25 x 24.25" (top/bottom)

If you want the 78 x 30 x 18", just add 6" to the 23" and 24.25" dimensions.

17" x 23" dimensions to be machined (routed) smooth to within +/-.005". The 78.25" and 24.25" can be sawcut and a bit bigger but I wouldn't want them any smaller. This should be an easy task for any half-decent plastics shop. Might cost an hour of shop time but not a biggie IMO. You don't want to do any polishing of any sort on this material until after the tank is all glued up.

HTH,
James

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13216758#post13216758 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Acrylics
For 78 x 24 x 18" using 1/2":

2 pcs 78.25 x 17" (front/back)
2 pcs 23 x 17" (ends)
2 pcs 78.25 x 24.25" (top/bottom)

If you want the 78 x 30 x 18", just add 6" to the 23" and 24.25" dimensions.

17" x 23" dimensions to be machined (routed) smooth to within +/-.005". The 78.25" and 24.25" can be sawcut and a bit bigger but I wouldn't want them any smaller. This should be an easy task for any half-decent plastics shop. Might cost an hour of shop time but not a biggie IMO. You don't want to do any polishing of any sort on this material until after the tank is all glued up.

HTH,
James

Thanks James, this is great. Im sure I will be bugging you for some more advice once I get everything cut.

[JustinReef]

Ok, so there may be a change in plans...The fish I was building this tank for jumped and is no longer with me. I am rethinking what I want now for a tank and am considering a cube-ish tank.

I love shallow tanks and might go something like 4'x4'x15" tall with a center overflow.

A few question though if did go with 4'x4'x15"...

What thickness and bracing would be needed? I was thinking 1/2" would still be fine but wasn't sure because of the two 4' lengths.

Anything else unique I would need to consider with a tank of these dimensions?

Thanks once again guys!

[JustinReef]

Bump...

Anyone have any thoughts on thickness for a 48"x48"x14" or 15" tall cube maybe? Bracing would be an actual solid top with a few holes cut out. Theres a pretty big difference between 3/8" and 1/2" acrylic sheets where I live and if 1/2" is not necessary, I would like to try 3/8". I guess 1/2" would be easier to work with though?

[Acrylics]

You could use either 3/8" or 1/2" material. With 1/2" though, you could do *just* a eurobrace (no crossbracing) and be fine. 3-4" wide eurobrace and you'd be golden :)
No difference working with one vs the other, just not enough of a thickness difference to really amount to much as far as ease goes IME/IMO

HTH,
James