Long Acrylic Sheet Suppliers

[daleros]

http://www.reynoldspolymer.com/R-Cast_Acrylic_Sheet_Info.cfm

I am going to be constructing a 15.5'X3'X3' acrylic aquarium and I am having trouble finding somebody who sells a 15.5' long sheet. I know that Reynolds makes a 72"X186" but everybody who I have contacted either won't get back to me or can't get it. My main source of finding suppliers has been the Thomas Registers.

http://www.thomasnet.com/nsearch.ht...g:+Acrylic&heading=60000403&navsec=prodsearch

Does anybody know a reliable supplier that could get this product?

Also, is there an acrylic thickness calculator or explanation on how to calculation needed thickness? I know there are charts but those usually only are recommended for 8' or less. There is a certain length after 8' where the thickness needs to be upped a little before only depth is a factor.

http://www.sdplastics.com/cyro/aquarium/cyroacrylitegpaquarium.html

I found this online calculator but it is for the CRYO brand which is slightly weaker than Reynolds R-Cast. I was wondering if anybody knew what the calculator is doing.

Thanks

 

[daleros]

http://www.reynoldspolymer.com/contact.cfm
I found these representatives after digging around a little more on Reynolds site. Hopefully one of them can help.

I am surprised that nobody here has never used a sheet longer than 10'. Cost would be a major issue I guess.

If anybody knows of other suppliers or brands that make a sheet approaching 16' I am still looking. Also, I am considering a splice that has an external reinforcement that is wrapped in wood that would match the stand. Not my first choice since it would reduce the viewing area.

 

[daleros]

It looks like Reynolds will sell direct to the public and sell cut sheets as well. Here is a price list from them. They got back to me in about 1 week.
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[FONT=&quot](1) 1.5” x 72” x 186” is $3,503[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot](1) 1.25” x 72” x 186” is 2,786[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot](1) 1.5” x 48” x 96” is $752[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot](2) 1.5” x 36” x 186” is $3,503 plus $25 cut charge so $3,528[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot](2) 1” x 36” x 186” is $2,123 plus $25 cut charge so $2,148[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot](2) 1.5” x 36” x 36” is $752 plus $75 cut charge so $827[/FONT]

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[cvermeulen]

Wow, expensive.

I think (depending on what you're keeping) that 1.5" thick would be way overkill. 1" should be more than enough at 36" depth. I'm guessing since it's a looooong, relatively thin tank, that you're not keeping monsters, but rather a lot of smaller specimens.

Oh and your length should not affect how thick the acrylic needs to be as long as you run several centerbraces. The long-axis bending of the front pane shouldn't be a big issue if it's supported from the top and bottom. If it were not supported you can imagine it would bow significantly over 15.5'.

Are you planning ot make the tank all acrylic? (6-8k just on plastic, wow). If so, bonding a seam that long will require a lot of careful planning, and a number of helpers. I want to see pics!!

 

[daleros]

I will probably be keeping cichlids, loaches, plecos, and possibly a stingray or two. I got the same calculation of 1" being the minimum and the CYRO calculator stating 1.5". I will probably go with 1.25 for the long sides and 1.5" for the short sides just to give a bigger bonding area. And, 1" for the top and bottom.

Also, I was considering a composite bottom with several layers of 1/4". That would save some money and give me some practice before I bond the sides.

On the bottom seams inside the tank I will probably use a triangular strip to reinforce the seams. Who cares, it will be covered by the sand anyways.

The only seams that will need to look pretty will be the two on the front sides. I guess if I screw those seams up I can just trim them out as well.

I will be starting the stand this November and I will be in no hurry to finish.

 

[cvermeulen]

I will probably be keeping cichlids, loaches, plecos, and possibly a stingray or two. I got the same calculation of 1" being the minimum and the CYRO calculator stating 1.5". I will probably go with 1.25 for the long sides and 1.5" for the short sides just to give a bigger bonding area. And, 1" for the top and bottom.

Also, I was considering a composite bottom with several layers of 1/4". That would save some money and give me some practice before I bond the sides.

On the bottom seams inside the tank I will probably use a triangular strip to reinforce the seams. Who cares, it will be covered by the sand anyways.

The only seams that will need to look pretty will be the two on the front sides. I guess if I screw those seams up I can just trim them out as well.

I will be starting the stand this November and I will be in no hurry to finish.

the CYRO calculator is out to lunch.

a laminate bottom is a lot more work and a lot less strong than you might think.

Acrylic seams are not complicated to make, but they are also not a 'no brainer'. I've had several seams fail that didn't look too bad at all. Just keep the mindset that you have no room to screw up, measure 3-4 times and you'll be fine. Adding a triangular strip to the inside of the seam won't make up for a faulty bond in the seam itself.