clear polycarbonate would 20mm be thick enough for this tank

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
D

danny_sims

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 1, 2012
26
0
0
Manchester England
hi
building a fiberglass plywood tank the structure is built and ready for glassing. then i was going to buy the front pane of glass but i have been offered a large sheet of
clear polycarbonate at 20 mm thick.
the tank dimensions are 6ft long by 4ft deep and 3ft wide.
the water level will be around 42inches and the viewing window is 40inches top to bottom and 5ft 8 in length.
would 20mm do the job.
i am off to do some searching now but i need to know asap as i have only got a short period of time to make sure its correct.
many thanks
daniel
 
would 20mm be thick enough as one sheet or
would adding an external vertical and horizontal brace allow for that poly to be used.
or could i bond two pieces of the poly together around the edges and then bond them into the plywood tank as one giveing me 40mm (sort of)
danny
 
If its supported enough around the edges of glass say 4" it will hold but bow like a s.o.b.! I would def. Def. Put a center support on the front center aswell giving you the look of two windows. As for fusing the sheets together this is also possible but it would need to be done in an oven or with weld on #40 (its possible but unlikely to turn out well for any non acrylic mfg.) Throw in that center support and use the 20mil. Thickness. 3/4" can go 30-32" tall on its own so if supported your desired height will work. Using 1" for a 4 ft. Height is already pushing it so be sure that glass is super supported or ur gonna get wet one day.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
There is no possible bonding on the "edges" of the sheets like u stated. Its either glue the entire surfaces together and hope you can see through, or melt them together in an oven.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
thanks for the reply. i am going to give it a miss for now and try and get glass i dont fancy having to try and get scratches out of the acrylic if its 4ft deep.
 
i wouldnt worry too much about scratches...i have a couple acrylic tanks in poor condition and they look pretty good when there full of water. I prefer acrylic or your polycarb over glass but thats just my personal preference. I'd rather see bowing in acrylic than a shattered front window. also polycarb is super expensive $$ its probably worth more than any regular glass you could by. i'd use it and save money. You'll be fine if you support the glass in the middle.
 
I think I may be buying a sheet of polycarbonate, however this will be coming at a price. The sheet I will be getting will be 10ft x 7ft, therefore I will have my piece of 6ft x 4ft. There will be two left over pieces, one 4ft x 7ft & one 6ft x 3ft. Is there anyone who would be interested in buying these other sheets off me by any chance as I will not be able to get this sheet unless I get some sort of money back, otherwise I would be wasting two brilliant sized sheets for nothing. As previously stated they are 20mm thick clear polycarbonate. Located in the UK, close to Manchester. Please let me know if anyone would be interested.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom