96x48x36 is 1" acrylic ok?
- Thread starter hewhorunswithscissors
- Start date
Height of the tank is the most important factor in deciding on thickness of the side panels. The higher the tank, the more stress on the bottom middle of the tank.
My tank is 40 inches tall and 40 inches deep. Mine is only 1" thick as well and I have had no problems with it at all. You can't go wrong with thicker but its probably overkill. You will get some bowing but it will not be noticable unless you try to put something across the front like a level
Even if you go with 1.25" you will still get just a little bowing but it will be even less. Lots more expensive as well.
Both will be very strong and last a long time.
Good luck.
My tank is 40 inches tall and 40 inches deep. Mine is only 1" thick as well and I have had no problems with it at all. You can't go wrong with thicker but its probably overkill. You will get some bowing but it will not be noticable unless you try to put something across the front like a level
Even if you go with 1.25" you will still get just a little bowing but it will be even less. Lots more expensive as well.
Both will be very strong and last a long time.
Good luck.
Make sure the bottom is 1" as well. It gives peace of mind when decorating the tank. (Large rocks, You may be standing inside, etc.)
The bottom does not need to be as thick as the sides or top because for acrylic, the entire bottom has to be supported by a solid surface. Glass tanks are supported by the perimeter only but acrylic will fail if kept on a glass tank stand for long term.
The top needs to be thicker, for the above application I would use a top of at least 1.25 inches thick and make sure all the openings in the top have radiused corners and not 90 degree angles as that creates a stress point and will form a crack.
FWIW.
The top needs to be thicker, for the above application I would use a top of at least 1.25 inches thick and make sure all the openings in the top have radiused corners and not 90 degree angles as that creates a stress point and will form a crack.
FWIW.