My first DIY acrylic tank!
- Thread starter Modest_Man
- Start date
I now have a router (free) and a router table ($20), and a flush cut trim bit ($17). I have the next little test tank rough cut with the table saw (acrylic scrap was $17), from the scrap pieces I used to get the router fence square it makes a VERY nice edge. Should be about 10 gallons.
This time I'm going to do some things differently. One, I have some colored acrylic; Acrylite FF. I believe that is continuous cast and not extruded like the other stuff I was using. Falls between cell-cast and extruded as far as density goes (cell being the most dense). I have one piece of extruded, it definitely cuts differently than the FF. Second, I'm routering the edges and then wet-sanding them. Lastly, I'm not going to flame polish until the tank is all together and then just do the visible edges.
This time I'm going to do some things differently. One, I have some colored acrylic; Acrylite FF. I believe that is continuous cast and not extruded like the other stuff I was using. Falls between cell-cast and extruded as far as density goes (cell being the most dense). I have one piece of extruded, it definitely cuts differently than the FF. Second, I'm routering the edges and then wet-sanding them. Lastly, I'm not going to flame polish until the tank is all together and then just do the visible edges.
yea i love building tanks out of acrylic. i built a 120 squared, than at work one day we didnt really feel like doing anything so i made a 30x18x18 sump for my 210. love using work stuff to build stuff for personal use.
Good shot of the difference between my rough cut with the table saw (on the right) and the routered edge (on the left).
The stuff on the left is white, the right is a tinted clear.
The stuff on the left is white, the right is a tinted clear.
Had some issues getting things square this go round. I'm going to pick up a couple corner clamps to make sure I have 90 corners going on...
Here's the new little guy...9 gallons. White sides and back, opaque bottom, clear extruded front.
Doing the fill test in the tub. This is the first one that hasn't leaked straightaway.
Doing the fill test in the tub. This is the first one that hasn't leaked straightaway.
