reinforce acrylic w/screws?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
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islander671

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 30, 2005
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MD...but all my fish are in japan still..lol
would screwing the panels of a 265g acrylic tank prevent, or at least slow down, an acrylic panel from popping off? or what about steel 'L' brackets on all the corners? i recently found a small leak in one of the seams and have repaired it with some weldon. i was reading through the tank busting threads, and am concerned that my 265 might blow one day too.
would putting screws affect the structural integrity of the panel? i would think that it wouldnt since cutting holes for bulkeads dont seem to.
im not too concerned w/ the aesthetics since the areas that i would be drilling are hidden behind the false frame i built for the tank. any one done this before? thanks for your time
 
Screw in acrylic will break it. The pressure will rip the screw head right through the panel in a break. If you dont want it popping out, use clamps
 
acrylic cracks when you screw it in... if its leaking then you need to resel it... thats it. i really wouldnt br drilling and screwing anything that will br under pressure, with acrylic you need to keep everything under eaven pressure.


just out of curiousity are you tryling to bond acrylic or sillicone it?
 
portabuddy;1430569; said:
acrylic cracks when you screw it in... if its leaking then you need to resel it... thats it. i really wouldnt br drilling and screwing anything that will br under pressure, with acrylic you need to keep everything under eaven pressure.


just out of curiousity are you tryling to bond acrylic or sillicone it?
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thanks guys.

portabuddy, ive already used weldon in the seam that was leaking, was just looking for someway to add a little reinforcement if it were even possible.
 
If the material is thick enough 1/2" or bigger you can drill and tap small holes and use machine screws without a problem. These will only provide a false sense of security though. If the seam burst the screws will go with it. How is your tank braced up top? Is it with euro bracing or is the top a solid piece with the panels cut out of it? If a tank is going to give it is most likely going to split at the top and work its way down.
 
screws in acrylic is a bad idea. even with pilot holes, it will do more damage than help. I also wouldn't go with any angle bars it will just complicate your sealing of it and it will look goofy on a nice acrylic tank.
 
FishDog;1431074; said:
If the material is thick enough 1/2" or bigger you can drill and tap small holes and use machine screws without a problem. These will only provide a false sense of security though. If the seam burst the screws will go with it. How is your tank braced up top? Is it with euro bracing or is the top a solid piece with the panels cut out of it? If a tank is going to give it is most likely going to split at the top and work its way down.
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at a glance it looks to be 1/2" maybe 5/8". the tank has euro bracing up top. thanks for the info!
 
arl;1431180; said:
screws in acrylic is a bad idea. even with pilot holes, it will do more damage than help. I also wouldn't go with any angle bars it will just complicate your sealing of it and it will look goofy on a nice acrylic tank.
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thanks! as far as the angle bars go, im not to concerned with them being seen as they will be hidden by a wooden frame. heres a link to how it would look, the tank will go in the big empty stand on the left.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105983
 
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