Acrylic: how thick?

[thecoolguy]

for a 7'x3'x2' acrylic tank where the sides/top are .5" --- is having the bottom panel be .25" very dangerous?

i was under the impression that the bottoms on most tanks were the thickest part - but a new tank i acquired (above specs) has the bottom thinner?

it used to be a display tank setup as a sw reef tank....

any input is welcome......

also - to ensure seam strength - does it do any good to use a syringe and just redo the outsides of all the seams?

 

[milkman407]

for a 7'x3'x2' acrylic tank where the sides/top are .5" --- is having the bottom panel be .25" very dangerous?

i was under the impression that the bottoms on most tanks were the thickest part - but a new tank i acquired (above specs) has the bottom thinner?

it used to be a display tank setup as a sw reef tank....

any input is welcome......

also - to ensure seam strength - does it do any good to use a syringe and just redo the outsides of all the seams?

do not reseal them with the syringe, when the glue bonds and you add more, it actully weakens the seams. so your best bet to re seal it would be taking the adhesive off completley and re doing it.

 

[brianp]

Acrylic tanks use the thinnest acrylic on the bottoms. For example, a 300 gallon will have 0.5" sides and a 3/8" bottom. However, unlike glass tanks, acrylic tanks require full support under each square inch of bottom area. 0.25" is probably ok as long as the bottom is fully and evenly supported.















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[FishDog]

Most builders put thinner material on the bottom to save money. I just built one using 1/2" cell cast that was $260 for a 4x8 sheet. I used the 1/2" all around because I had to by two whole sheets. I was looking at putting 3/8" on the bottom because the sheets where $180 but they would not sell a partial sheet. Just make sure your stand has a solid plywood top of atleast 3/4" that is braced underneath with 2x4's. Put atleast 1/2" thick blue foam board on top and you should be fine. This will ensure the whole bottom of your tank is supported. What kind of bracing does your tank have on the top?