Ugly acrylic monster bracing questions

[mrunlucky07]

I have been looking for an ugly monster to replace a 55 in my class lab for awile. I finally came across a a truly ugly beast for $50. Its 72x24x26, around 190 gallons. The tank is fairly old. Supposedly originally an aquarium, then a turtle tank then changed hands for an Iguana but just gathered dust in a garage. It is made from 1/2" acrylic on all sides, back is blue. I tried to show the detail of the corner assembly. When I picked it up I was not sure if it would hold water, but luckily it does. The tank is going to be used for either some turtles or juvenille koi to overwinter in. Nothing fancy.

The top seems too weak to support the weight of water as its set up without bracing. I put straps around it when I test filled it to try and avoid a flood. When I removed one strap the tank obviously bowed out some.

I have a sheet of 3/8" acrylic that I have had stashed knowing it would come in handy some day. What do you reccommend for bracing? Just two 2" wide braces spaced out like on a glass tank, or do I need more? If more is needed what is reccommended? What do I need to weld it to the existing acrylic? I have never worked with it before.

Thanks!

 

[Camshaft Ramrod]

#16 weld on does the trick.

Dont be shy on the bracing. A good couple feet. That's alot of water.

 

[Yanbbrox]

Why no build a wooden surround/stand as an external skeleton instead? The garage looks pretty stocked up for the job?

Nice truck btw

 

[nuggets]

my 180 has 2 braces like you had the straps. i think that will be fine .2 braces .i think a wood surround and stand would be the bomb!

 

[mrunlucky07]

One thing at a time, polishing then adding braces first. It is going on a gianormously overbuilt workbench in my class lab, so no stand. I will probably build a lip around the top to keep fingers out, and maybe a little trim on the corners. If it was for my house it would be different. Polishing it up I am thinking, "this will make a kick ass sump for a real monster ..."

#16 weld on does the trick.

Dont be shy on the bracing. A good couple feet. That's alot of water.

I will look up #16 and see what it is, thanks.

Nice truck btw

Thanks, It was my previous never ending project.

 

[MyFishEatYourFish]

rob the acrylic and build a monster plywood tank

 

[HPIZZLE]

is that a ferking RANGER?!?!?!?!??!?!?!

 

[mrunlucky07]

Got the tank cleaned up pretty good and made trim to cover the top inch of the tank and extend up 6" to hide lights, went with black paint on the trim. Will have to set it up before I can take a pic though.

I found where I can order the weld-on for acrylic online. I have a ghetto fab question though. Can I just use 2 part epoxy for the braces? I plan on drilling the lip and using a couple SS screws to make a tight connection. Any experiences?

Yeah...It was/is a 2004 ranger, I made a few mods and still have a few more in the works.

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

If you have the skill, drilled and screwed gets my vote. And allways does anyway a few screws will be stronger than any glue.

 

[blurock]

Just so you know... I'm in love with your truck. It's a good color even!
And I can't wait to see what you actually end up doing. I just got a 300g acrylic with a busted corner seem that i need to fix...and im looking into ways to brace it as well.
Good project, keep us posted