How tall can I go with 1.25" acrylic

[Phixer]

The panels are 1.25" thick 120" L and 36" tall Polycast GP cell cast acrylic.

Initially I was going to build one tank but now am considering a plywood/fiberglass tank with 2 ten foot windows.

Do you guys think 36" tall is safe with this thickness?

Thanks

 

[TankBuster]

Definately. You can go 48" high with that thickness.

 

[rallysman]

yes. My 300 is 30" tall with 1/2" acrylic

 

[CHOMPERS]

Nope, you can't do anything with that...so therefore you should crate it up and ship it do:

Chompers
123 My Street
Orlando, Fl



Seriously, you can do GREAT THINGS with that. Take lots of pics of your progress.

 

[Phixer]

Thanks for the replies. Chompers I cant seem into fit thes panels into an envelope.

The house was built in 62 so most of the basement settling should be done. The weight is a concern for me but I figure it will be dispersed enough over this lenth to be safe and if a full sized truck can be parked on a 6" thick garage slab without problems the basement slab should work also.

20 FT is still pretty long and I was concerned about flexing too. Am looking at a standard fiberglass/epoxy shell construction 5 layers, then 3 coats of marine epoxy paint as a top coat.

If the thickness of the panels is determined by the HT of the tank. Does this mean that the closer you locate the viewing panel to the top the thinner the material can be because of less water pressure pushing down on it?

If you build a plywood tank and locate the window several inches from the bottom it will have less pressure acting on it right? at least this is how I understand it.

 

[zennzzo]

If the thickness of the panels is determined by the HT of the tank. Does this mean that the closer you locate the viewing panel to the top the thinner the material can be because of less water pressure pushing down on it?

If you build a plywood tank and locate the window several inches from the bottom it will have less pressure acting on it right? at least this is how I understand it.

Yup that's right...

 

[johnptc]

it depends on all plastic or combo......go to http://www.cyro.com/NewCYRO/flash.html go to tech center ( you may have to sign up but it is free) go to aquarium thickness calculator,,,,,,,,put in the specs and it will give you the thickness........very handy and highly recommended !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The panels are 1.25" thick 120" L and 36" tall Polycast GP cell cast acrylic.

Initially I was going to build one tank but now am considering a plywood/fiberglass tank with 2 ten foot windows.

Do you guys think 36" tall is safe with this thickness?

Thanks

 

[CHOMPERS]

Thanks for the replies. Chompers I cant seem into fit thes panels into an envelope.
...

Get a bigger envelope

 

[Phixer]

After reading TFGs documentary I think its definitely do-able. Wasnt able to get onto the cyro site because of email issues

Considering resting the viewing panel on a 4x4 encased in fiberglass but am concerned about this thing eventually warping or twisting which would break the seal around it. Maybe a block of some kind of dense plastic might do.

Any ideas?

 

[wizzin]

If you build a plywood tank and locate the window several inches from the bottom it will have less pressure acting on it right? at least this is how I understand it.

It's the opposite. The closer the glass is to the bottom, the more force acting on it. For example, on mine, the force at the bottom/base is 5000lbft, but at the top 500, and above the glass "0". The water weight pushes down and out. The anchorage at the base needs to be VERY strong. At your size, I'd have an engineer figure out the anchorage. Just think, the tank want's to split apart at the base seams... A bottom blow-out if you will.