Building acrylic tank help

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Jhe said:
But do you think it is strong without reinforcement?

Can I use chips from acrylic and melt it with MC and put it on?
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it's hard to tell. If your seams have white patches those are dry spots where the solvent didn't reach. Those offer no support. If you have too many of these it compromises integrity. A few small bubbles are okay, but if you're looking at seams that are 50/50% or even 75/25% I would have concern.

You can reinforce the seams by using the MC to weld .5-2" rods into the interior corners of the tank. That would really brace it well.
 
Finally!! I can't believe I've done it. Just need to put the door on my cabinet stand, still looking for gate hinges. So far so good, the set up is running for more than a week now. Hope it will last.
20170904_104803.jpg

Thanks for all your help and guiding me with this build.
 
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Congratulations on success with your build. Your stock looks great and the tank has a great look. You made very good time. A few questions if you don't mind:
How long has it been up and running? How long did you wait to fill it up with water? What kind of framing is on it?

Because this was your first attempt, and sourcing the ideal materials were difficult, I believe you should watch the seams carefully. Consider taking pictures of them now. Take more pictures every few months from the same angles. Then compare them, this way by year 1, 2, 3 ,4 you can notice if the seams are degrading and at what rate. Signs of this are crazing in the seams (micro fractures or cracks that look like spider-web) and white spots forming and spreading. White spots being separation.

Great job, you have done a lot of work. Relax, enjoy, and savor your win
 
Thank you.. Those are my fish on my 2 tanks before. Hope theybwill get a long well.

From today it is running for 10 days now. The tank is sitting for 3 weeks or I think a month before I filled it with water. I reinforced all the corner and seams with acrylic chip and poured a MC on it, so it became like solid acrylic. And doubled it with silicone. I'm not sure if that helps. What do you mean of framing? I've just put sticker all around. But the stand is all solid wood that can support 1 ton of load.

Yes I am taking a good look of water leak everyday and if there are some changes with the tank.

Right now I am enjoying it and so proud despite the limited sources and difficulties on this build

Thanks again on your help.
 
Okay well this sounds like you've done your due diligence. You let the tank cure and reinforced the interior. The silicone won't add much, but it won't hurt.

Enjoy! Give us a few updates and stick around here at MFK

You are welcome
 
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