Acrylic tank help.

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JoeFarrah

JoeFarrah

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 6, 2015
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I know the rule is to always always use cell cast acrylic for aquariums. here is my question, I want to build an acrylic aquarium that is 72" long, 30" wide, and 16" high. The tank would require 1/2 cell cast acrylic if I round up for safety and strength, BUT what if I used 1/2 EXTRUDED acrylic for the base? the base would sit on a solid top stand with then a piece of styrofoam on top to absorb any irregularities. What would the main concern be in this situation? and/or does anyone have knowledge of this idea?
 
wannadivesteve said:
I'd be thinking 3/8 cell cast would be fine at 16 inches of depth from the calculators I've seen. I'd support the heck out of the bottom though, full plywood with bracing beneath.
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any opinion on using a 1/2 extruded for the base to save money? would be on a supported flat top of plywood with a sheet of styrofoam to absorb the little bumps
 
Only difference with extruded material is its ridgidity...cast will bow less than extruded. I built 16 tanks for a cheap customer size 48"x24"x12" in extruded 1/4" material because he didnt want to pay for the cell cast. The tanks held up fine and have been full of water since 2011, i double glued them with #4 and #16 but id still recommend cell cast. If you want to save money use 3/8" cell cast for the bottom. I also agree 3/8" cell cast would suffice for the entire tank. biggest issue in ur plans is the foam under the tank... foam is for glass tanks with no trim NOT acrylics. place ur acrylic tanks directly on 1/2"-3/4" plywood, shim any air gaps under the tank if necessary.
 
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Thanks wednesday13 for clearing the foam thing up for me! and the true tank height is 18in, 16-17 was water volume. So while skimping with the 3/8 sounds so good for my wallet ill stick to 1/2 haha. Looks like ill just have to dish out the money. But i will definitely go 3/8 for the bottom to save there! Thank you again!
 
JoeFarrah said:
Thanks wednesday13 for clearing the foam thing up for me! and the true tank height is 18in, 16-17 was water volume. So while skimping with the 3/8 sounds so good for my wallet ill stick to 1/2 haha. Looks like ill just have to dish out the money. But i will definitely go 3/8 for the bottom to save there! Thank you again!
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Any time man and good luck with ur build! Sucks to pay alot for materials...but ull be happy u did 10yrs from now when ur tank is still holdin strong :).
 
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So true! It's all for the health of my fish in the end so as long as I know they're happy, then I'm happy!
 
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