PVC bottom acrylic tank project

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Phixer

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jan 14, 2007
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CO & CA
Doing the research and gathering feedback for this project. Similar to AGE and MRC, has anyone made a PVC bottom tank with acrylic. Dimensions 120"L X 36H(vertical) X 48W(front to back). So the PVC base would be 120 X 48".

What did you use to bond the acrylic to the PVC?

Im thinking about using a 1.5" thick section of PVC for the base and routing a 1/2" deep groove in it. Filling the void with WO #40 and resting the panels in this groove. Essentially casting them into place. This is a new process for me so interested in any feedback as I may have to do some more experimentation.

Will need to consider cost also, if it's less expensive to use acrylic for the base I may end doing that instead.

On a side note, and despite contrary belief , this type of silicone appears to adhere very well to acrylic although I would never consider it as the primary bonding agent for acrylic to acrylic. It does show some promise for fiberglass / plywood / acrylic tanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mReJB4qc9QU
 
#40 says it can do pvc and abs but i dont think its nearly as strong, far better options for silicone that sticks to acrylic aswell like gold label sealer, 3m5200, and a loctite product. You do have a good idea with using a channel on the bottom, that will def. Work and make assembly easier but i dont think ull save much unless u already have the pvc. Not positive but i think pvc sheet is usually heat welded like poly p. Or abs sheets. Have u considered heat welding ur basic structure and using acrylic for just the window to save money? I have considered melting acrylic to poly p. With #40 so i like where ur heads at on this one lol...just dont know how it would hold up with the diff. Flexing ratios of acrylic to pvc. When its all together with water.

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It might be safer to use cell cast acrylic on this giant tank or try and build a small experimental 10 to 30 tank with this new idea. Right now I'm getting ready to build a 25 to 30 gallon acrylic fish tank which will be a pronto type for a fish trough idea I have been having for years. If the experimental 29 gallon arylic fish tank works then in a few months I will order more acrylic sheets and build a 478 gallon to 700 gallon tank.
 
Yeah flex rates between the two was a concern. The tank has to be visible from all sides so just the bottom could be PVC. It may be more cost effective to just use two 4x8 sheets of acrylic and cutting them to size.

The acrylic is 1.25 thick for this project and IMHO is at the limit of what solvent could be used for. I think I know what you would use. Would you use 40 for this one as well Wednesday?

Any new projects with you Wednesday?
 
I think your right. I have a old cylinder tank that needs a new bottom. Was thinking about routing a groove into a PVC base the same way as before and then casting then tank into the groove with #40. This would allow a mechanical / structural wall opposing the pressure. My only concern is as Wednesday suggested , flex rates between dissimilar materials. Most of the PVC base tanks seem to be made of glass.

IDK? :confused: I do have an old sheet of 1.5 acrylic that may be better.
 
I only use solvent #4 for up to 1/4"-3/8" acrylic. I have shot it on alot of seams that had popped on older used tanks 1/2"-3/4" thick but i always like to tip and pour #40 afterwards just to be safe. Im not saying dont use the pvc, the bond is def. worth a test and on the larger scale ur channel on the bottom sheet will work perfectly for pouring the 40 in. Just need to think about where its going i guess and whats going to be underneath the tank stand wise. For instance my 650gal only uses 1/2" polypropolene for the bottom but my stand is a solid pallet of cinder blocks so it evens out. Just saying you can save money on thinner material if its supported right.
Yes, i would probably try and construct the whole tank in #40 but theres still always a debate about it lol...since ur material is so thick i dont think you have much choice other than #40. I have been experiencing thinner and older acrylic heating up to much when being worked on but its really all in the amount of mix or batch you make so it could be controlled better with more practice.

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