Building plywood tank. Acrylic or Glass

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skynoch

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Jan 14, 2007
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edmonton alberta canada
Okay the basement is gutted and ready for the framing of my plywood build. The demensions will be 12'x8'x4-6' depending on glass or acrylic prices. The more I read the more confused I get about which is better and the proper thickness of each I'll need. The window sizes will either be 8'x4' or 10'x4' depending on how thick each would have to be. I'll probably go with glass due to pricing of acrylic around here. My question is how thick should each be and would clarity be an issue at that factor?
Thanks for any help you can give me. p.s. I have been through the sticky's and alot of diy threads and alot of times stuff doesn't seem to jive
 
At that height, you are probably going to want to go with acrylic.
 
Glad you tuned in doc. give these guys a call on pricing or size? If it's pricing I think the shipping would kill me for a sheet of acrylic. There is a manufacturer here in edmonton which is expensive too but if that's the way to go so be it.
The basement floor is about 1 1/2' due to a screw up when the house was built and the ground below is a very hard clay base so I'm sure it will hold the weight. As far as the walls go they will either be 2x6 or 2x8 depending on hieght. 3/4 plywood lined and then armaguard heat sprayed liner. As far as videos go...probably not but will take pics. Anything sound off here? I'm no structural engineer but kinda doing a takeoff from what other people have done. Please give me the what are you stupid stuff now, I realy would love any input anybody has. And I've allready got a few costs. Acrylic will be 3000-5000 depending on size. Spray liner about 2000. The wood and what nots are really not going to play an expensive part. Filtering will be in the room beside it and I'm tossing around ideas on that still. The project is ready to start just waiting to figure out the acrylic or glass thing but it sounds like acrylic is what's best.
 
if your going that hi you will likely want to go acrylic do to weight. I don't think you could manilpulate a piece of glass around that heavy. I'm not sure a single layer of 3/4" plywood would be thick enough but I may be wrong. I would put 2 layers of 3/4" over a 2x6 frame. there are alot of builds on here that can help you decide how you are going to build it and there are alot of ways to accomplish the same thing. the acrylic would be over 2" thick for sure. finding a 10' long piece of glass is really hard. good luck I hope to see you posting your progress as you go
 
I meant the weight of a 10ftx4ft acrylic sheet is not going to be a one man operation even with a forklift, and we haven't talked about the shear size yet. :nilly:

Did you read Johnptc's threads?
 
Dr Joe;2750391; said:
I meant the weight of a 10ftx4ft acrylic sheet is not going to be a one man operation even with a forklift, and we haven't talked about the shear size yet. :nilly:

Did you read Johnptc's threads?
Click to expand...

Ahhh got it. I've got some big friends thank god. I allready was able to move a 9'x3'x30" glass tank down the stairs and into the basement with lots of beer a picker truck and a winch so I'm thinking I should be able to handle the sheet allright. I was wondering where you where going with that but allways good to ask.
I have read johnptc's threads and have got alot of help from them. I see he works more in cement than wood. Also have read the articles from anythingfish which gave me the inspiration for wood. I also looked at dividing the front into 2 panes with bracing in the middle to lower the thickness of the acrylic but I think this would be an eyesore and would rather go to an 8x4 sheet of acrlyic if need be.
 
Johnptc created some marvelous systems and he's a great guy to talk to so if you have any questions just PM him.

The window seal could be applicable to your build too.

I really think you should video the move and build, if, God forbid, something happens Funniest Videos might pay good money for it :D.

Let us know acrylic pricing, the thickness they suggest and the weight of the piece would you please, I'm sure it will be of interest to more than a few here.

:popcorn: with great interest,

Dr Joe

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skynoch;2749582; said:
At the 4' or 6' hieght? And is that do to loss of clarity on the glass?
Click to expand...

I was stating for both in monetary reasoning. You have to start getting really thick glass at 4' and up. Most likely would end up being cheaper to go with acrylic.
 
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