building tank from acrylic?

[loveforfish]

what kinda of technuiques are you all using to build your own arcrylic tanks?

 

and do you seal it with regular aquarium sealant or use something stronger?

[coolwaters]

everyone (i hope...) uses Weld-On to glue acrylic together.

im using weld-on #3 and its really strong.

 

there should be a few threads about how to use wled-on and a get a bubble less joint.

[thecowkid]

First of all forget everything you know about working with glass. It will not apply with acrylic. Silicone will not stick to acrylic.

First :Only use CAST acrylic. Extruded acrylic will crack, swell, and absorb water over time.

Secont: Sand your edges as smooth as you can get them. I use up to 1000 grit sandpaper.

Third: As Coolwaters said use Weldon products. They come in different #'s. These numbers represent the viscosity of the cement.

 

Use this chart to pick out your acrylic thickness.

Aquarium Height Sheet Thickness

1 to 12 inches 1/4 inch

12 - 18 inches 3/8 inch

18 - 24 inches 1/2 inch

24 - 30 inches 3/4 inch

[coolwaters]

the chart is just a guide line. and effective only if your brace your tank.

 

1000grit isnt needed. also if you dont have machines its going to be hard to not round the sides or edges.

 

i used 300grit before and no bubbles. making sure you have a sanding tool at least.

[thecowkid]

Yes the chart is a guide. I have used it for years, and have built many tanks, sumps etc braceless and have yet to have any complaints of structural integrity problems.

 

I use up to 1000 grit. If one uses a wood sanding block then chamfering the edges will be kept to a minimum. If you have a joiner/plainer they are great for finishing the edges for cementing. If you dont you dont have to worrie about rounded edges that much. They are not that much of an issue. I choose to sand my edges to this point due to the humidity in KY.

 

People will experience bubbles due to many factors. One of the biggest is the lack of the proper pressure on the seams. This can and will be magnafied due to the presence of moisture in the atmosphere. Hence the reason that I take my edges to such a fine degree.

 

So LoveForFish, Call your local plastic supplier and talk to them. They will be able to tell you what cement # will work for the project. I cannot and will not use #3 like coolwaters. The final product it yields is not up to my standards.

 

I am not trying to be a hard nose know it all. You asked what techniques that people were using. I supplied you with that, others disagree with what I use and works for me. It's ultimatly up to you if you want to take the advise. Either way it wont hurt my feelings. Good luck

[coolwaters]

i'v been researching on a method that requires thin pins or wires.

 

heres the thread about it.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthre...threadid=390652

 

notice hes using GP acrylic. its a cell caste type. super clear and sexy XD

[Daemonfly]

Yeah, the pins method is pretty well used. It gives the solvent time enough to do it's work before you press the two pieces together.

[loveforfish]

thanks guys, whats the best method to glueing the pieces together?

 

my question is do you start with the bottom, the sides? and in what order does it go from there.

 

also whats the best way to get pressure on the welding pieces to get a good seal?

[loveforfish]

ok i have done a fair amount of research on building tanks now. and im ready to give it a try. the acrylic i have from home depot i dont think is the right kind.. they dont even know if it is cell cast or not..

 

its sunday so all my plastic shops are closed.. i can either wait and have my 5 gallon drilled on wensday or i can build the 5 gallon myself tomarrow once i get my acrylic.

 

i know the building my own will coast more then drilling a hole but after all the research i kinda wana try this and do it myself.

 

what are some of the kinds of acrylic that i can look at that will work?

[thecowkid]

Home Depot dosn't have any cast acrylic. When you cement your tank make sure always apply your cement to horizontal seams. Let them cure, then tip the tank on its side and do the other seams. This will keep cement from running down vertical seams and pooling into the corners. This will make a much stronger and clearer seam.

[disaster999]

got a question about bracing, so lets say i want to build a tank thats 12 inches tall, i go for 1/4 acrylic and want to brace it just to be save. i want to save money and dont want to get another sheet of acrylic just to cut a big hole in the middle for the brace, could i glue strips of acrylic around the edges as a brace thats as good as braceless?

[coolwaters]

well i did that with my 3g but not sure wat to say. it still bowed a little...

 

i guess it depends on how wide/long it is.

[Riona]

*hops into thread*

 

I was thinking about using acrylic to make a tank. About 29 gallons and 12" high(2' square base) do I still only need the 1/4" thick stuff, or should I go for the 1/2" since it'll have more water than a normal 12" high tank would?

 

And where DO you get the cast acrylic?

[dopamine]

weld on 3 and 4 are the exact same product except #3 has a set time of 30 seconds and #4 has a set time of 1-1.5 minutes.

 

I used the pin method and it worked great. I used weldon 3 becuase the longer set time only allows chances of sliding which will cause worse than bubbles.