So I purchased a fairly large acrylic tank a while back (96"x18"x15") in the hopes of one day being able to set it up. I believe the time has come! I just have a few questions. The tank all round is made of 1/4" acrylic, is that a problem? I know if it was glass it would be fine but its not glass... 
The guy who owned it before me had built it and used it for a saltwater display tank in his store so that does help ease my mind.. but still!
It also has a piece of acrylic splitting the tank into two 4' tanks. I'm planning on taking out that middle piece and adding more braces to the tank on the top to help ease my mind. The tank already has braces going from front to back (two if I remember correctly) but I was thinking of adding 2-4 more, is that way overkill? I was thinking one in each corner then the other two braces would be half way between the other braces. These would also be front to back braces. It does have bracing all the way around the top as well.. am I just being paranoid?
Should I install the braces before cutting out the middle dividing section? I was thinking it might be a good idea as it might be possible for the tank to bow at a little when the middle divider is cut. Thus when I add the braces it will already have a bow in it so when I full with water it will further the bow and BAM it blows up
On that note as well, how should I go about removing the divider? I was thinking a small hack saw at first but decided that would be awkward and possibly damage seams. Would a saudering gun work? Like melt the plastic so I can just pop out the divider? Toxic fumes aside, is that a decent idea?
Also heating the tank, should I try to keep the heaters off the tank walls? I've never had a acrylic tank before so I don't know if its a problem.
Cheers,
Spencer
The guy who owned it before me had built it and used it for a saltwater display tank in his store so that does help ease my mind.. but still!It also has a piece of acrylic splitting the tank into two 4' tanks. I'm planning on taking out that middle piece and adding more braces to the tank on the top to help ease my mind. The tank already has braces going from front to back (two if I remember correctly) but I was thinking of adding 2-4 more, is that way overkill? I was thinking one in each corner then the other two braces would be half way between the other braces. These would also be front to back braces. It does have bracing all the way around the top as well.. am I just being paranoid?
Should I install the braces before cutting out the middle dividing section? I was thinking it might be a good idea as it might be possible for the tank to bow at a little when the middle divider is cut. Thus when I add the braces it will already have a bow in it so when I full with water it will further the bow and BAM it blows up
On that note as well, how should I go about removing the divider? I was thinking a small hack saw at first but decided that would be awkward and possibly damage seams. Would a saudering gun work? Like melt the plastic so I can just pop out the divider? Toxic fumes aside, is that a decent idea?Also heating the tank, should I try to keep the heaters off the tank walls? I've never had a acrylic tank before so I don't know if its a problem.
Cheers,
Spencer
