Acrylic seam condition assessment

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JCorso

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 3, 2017
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Looking at a used tank for sale: 96x36x24 "315 Tall" made from 3/4" Acrylic with what appears to be crazing at the seams. Seller bought it used a couple years ago and puts it around 5-7yrs old. Manufacturer and build date unknown. He did say there appears to be a "looks like silicone" substance inside the tank along the seams (guessing it was shored up with weld-on 16 at some point) but it holds water just fine.

Haven't seen it in person, trying to decide whether to make the 4 hour drive to get it for a screaming deal. Thinking I know the score here but any input from people experienced with acrylic or who have watched a decent sized tank get ready to let go would be hugely appreciated.

Also, If I'm in the wrong place please feel free to move the thread to where ever it should be. Thanks in advance.

Aquarium (11) (Copy).jpg

Aquarium (12) (Copy).jpg
 
I'll let others chime in. If you don't feel safe with the seams you can reinforce them with strips of acrylic like I have on my tank

image.jpeg
 
If it's just the seams and the panels themselves look okay I would do as suggested.
If you can find some square acrylic rods I would reinforce the joints by Weldon the rods in the corners.
 
I'm extremely conservative with risk taking, so I'm projecting those values on this discussion.

Those dimensions would be a 360 gallon but with water displacement and lower filling capacity that could be 315 if that's what they meant. Is the tank 24" tall or 36" tall? The "315 Tall" makes me assume it's taller, than wide. If the tank is 36" tall that tank very underbuilt. Walk away. At 36" tall it should be at least 1.25" thickness. That would explain the crazing and stress on the seams. At .75" thickness it's over a .5" thickness too thin and showing generous signs of stress from the photos. If you take into account that most acrylic brands, except the most expensive (polycast which I doubt this tank is made of) are really .708" and not a true .75" you just keep digging deeper. The tank looks taller than wide in the photos so I think the assumption is correct. Yes solvent welding gussets with 1"ish rods could help, and tip and pour with weld-on 40 could also be a benefit for integrity...but there's an issue that's easy to overlook.

If there is already weld on 16 pour job, then your gussets aren't going to fit flush. Why does this matter? Even if you try to weld acrylic rods (gussets) they won't bond well because they are trying to bond to the uneven surface of the weld on 16 instead of the interior seams and trying to bond to this less responsive material instead of cell cast acrylic that the tank is made out of. It won't give the "bite" plus the weld on 16 job has rounded the interior seams and the rods have square, 90 degree corners, can you visualize? It won't stick as well, or fit flush, sure it will help but not nearly the level of support a flush weld would provide. Not to an extent to overlook it being .5" too thin. The person that poured 16 messed up and compromised any future job you can do. IMO

The panels rarely fail, the seams are nearly always where the failure occurs on acrylic tanks. That's where stress matters most, not in the panels. Crazing and white spots (separation or "dry seams") in the seams is far more important than crazing in a panel IMO. I've seen tanks with great seams and crazing in panels that didn't concern me. I've seen tanks with ugly seams and clear panels that I wouldn't even consider owning.

Weld on 16, this product is garbage IMO, nearly worthless for structural support. Only use as a gap filler or sealer, applies terribly and nearly always leaves bubbles, cheap mans #40. There are other acrylic building forums that go on at length about this product and how it doesn't have a place in acrylic tank building anymore.

If the tank is 24" tall you have a chance. But 36" would never be allowed on any property I own and none of my stock would ever go inside, I wouldn't sleep well.

2 cents. The Diesel says walk away. But you are free to decide for yourself. The only thing I would put in that tank is a lizard.
 
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I was thinking that tank looked awful tall for 3/4" material as well.......
 
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I would also want to knoq how many braces are run along the top of the tank. That being said the if the thickness of the panels arent up to par i would absolutely walk. Like diesel said if its 24 inches high thats one thing but to me it looks higher than 24" can you ask the owner if he can take a pic with a tape on it ?
 
The tank is 36" tall. It's got a more or less standard acrylic one piece top brace (a few openings cut out). I was also surprised to learn it's constructed of 3/4" acrylic considering it's height.

I'm out. It's in Coeur de'Alene, ID if anybody wants it. He's asking 1500 for it and the sump + lots of nice planted tank stuff I wasn't particularly interested but someone into that sort of thing definitely would be. Can provide seller contact info/link to the ad if anyone's interested. Really nice guy - didn't get the impression he was trying to pull a fast one at all.

Dieselhybrid, thanks. You more articulately wrote what I was already thinking. It's too small for a garage tank and not worth the worry of having inside. Appreciate you taking the time.
 
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The tank is 36" tall. It's got a more or less standard acrylic one piece top brace (a few openings cut out). I was also surprised to learn it's constructed of 3/4" acrylic considering it's height.

I'm out. It's in Coeur de'Alene, ID if anybody wants it. He's asking 1500 for it and the sump + lots of nice planted tank stuff I wasn't particularly interested but someone into that sort of thing definitely would be. Can provide seller contact info/link to the ad if anyone's interested. Really nice guy - didn't get the impression he was trying to pull a fast one at all.

Dieselhybrid, thanks. You more articulately wrote what I was already thinking. It's too small for a garage tank and not worth the worry of having inside. Appreciate you taking the time.

You are welcome. It looks like you're fairly new so welcome to MFK. Stick around, read and share, you'll enjoy it here.

Man to man, IMO you've made the right decision.
 
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