Anyone tried anything like this? I'm thinking of a regular plexi tank w/ fully bonded seams- strong, clear but susceptible to scratches right? so what if you laminate 1/8" glass pane on the inside & outside viewing panels for scratch resistance. Would be the best of both worlds no?
Idea: Plexi tank w/ thin glass laminated on inside / outside for scratch protection
- Thread starter Oreo
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This would work as long as the acrylic had little deflection. If the deflection was more than the glass could handle, and the glass alone couldn't handle the load, the glass would shatter. The assumption would be the glass couldn't handle the load otherwise why not have an all glass tank. You would need an acrylic sheet somewhat thicker than an all acrylic tank for safety.
Typically composite sheets aren't made up two materials that aren't very close in ply-ability when the materials are both brittle materials.
Typically composite sheets aren't made up two materials that aren't very close in ply-ability when the materials are both brittle materials.
Also, condensation might be a problem between the sheets since glass and acrylic have different thermal properties.
it has already been done in public aquriums. and all that you do is leave an air gap in between the glass and acrylic. and seal it. no condensation!
How are you proposing to laminate the glass with acrylic? I would worry about imperfections. I think it would be a great idea, but I would think that you would better served tjust to build a tank out of glass or acrylic, not both.
Great idea though!
Great idea though!
Well, they do it with auto windshields so there ought to be a way- not that I know how.Pharaoh;2224128; said:
And maybe that's the case. I honestly don't know. I've never had an acrylic tank before. I've just heard that scratches are one of the main drawbacks to them & I was thinking this would be one possible solution.Pharaoh;2224128; said:
Sounds like one of those ideas that looks great on paper, and might work out in a carefully controlled, industrially produced environment, but would be a REAL challenge to DIY.
It also kind of begs the question; why bother? What advantage would this have over an all glass tank? clarity maybe I guess? I bet low iron glass would be cheaper. Maybe weight savings, but that seems like about it from over here.
the problem with the 'best of both worlds' ideology is that for whatever reason, the world always seems to want to give you the worst of both worlds, so you have to work ten times as hard to do it JUST right, and get what you want.
It also kind of begs the question; why bother? What advantage would this have over an all glass tank? clarity maybe I guess? I bet low iron glass would be cheaper. Maybe weight savings, but that seems like about it from over here.
the problem with the 'best of both worlds' ideology is that for whatever reason, the world always seems to want to give you the worst of both worlds, so you have to work ten times as hard to do it JUST right, and get what you want.
I would agree. With acrylic, it is true that you have to be a little mroe careful to avoid scratching it, but I don't think it is as bad as a lot of people let on.