building acrylic aquariums

[warriorone]

alright before i build my fish tank i need help on what kind of acrylic/plexi glass to use.

this tank will be built like a box and under 12x12x12", i know its small but everyone has to start somewhere. i planed to use 1/4" but wonder if i can use 1/8". also i know your supposed to use cell cast, but cast acrylic is $20 for a 12x24" sheet, and extruded is around $14 kinda expensive for such a small tank. anyways can i use the cheaper stuff for the build?

 

[Egon]

I think you should try the cheaper stuff and let us know how it worked? It's a small tank, should be fine. Test fill out side of course

Welcome to MFK!

 

[Modest_Man]

Extruded is fine for that size tank. Though it does tend to get more crackling along the seams when you bond the acrylic. 1/8th is fine, 1/4 is better.

I got my acrylic to first mess around with from a plastic store scrap bin. $1.75 a lb for a tank that size shouldn't cost more than 6-7 dollars.

 

[warriorone]

i plan on having a wooden base and wooden croner, along with bonding ill be silicone-ing for extra strength since i cant fuse 1/8 pieces together all that well

 

[Twigg]

i plan on having a wooden base and wooden croner, along with bonding ill be silicone-ing for extra strength since i cant fuse 1/8 pieces together all that well

Be cautious here.

Acrylic is meant to be welded for this kind of application, and silicone won't add much strength, although it might well seal a seam.

If you can get the edge flat and square, it isn't hard to hold it in place while the solvent joint sets .... even for the thin stuff.

Place the sheet accurately, then use masking tape from the top of the vertical sheet to nearby supports .... This way the pieces are held, but there is no downward pressure preventing the solvent from filling the joint.

Good luck

 

[Modest_Man]

1/8th bonds just fine with WeldOn...if you do it right you don't need silicone, and if you do it wrong you shouldn't be using silicone at all.

 

[joey02]

1/8th is super thin... i wouldnt use it...

go with 1/4" extruded. Extruded is fine for tanks 10-12" tall.... I Made a 48x20x12 with 1/4" extruded.... worked fine....

Any taller, use cell cast.

 

[NiceGuyNick]

how tall with 1/2" extruded? Sorry...not trying to hijack thread!