Acrylic Thickness for 24W X 48L X 12H or so tank

[RichMacys]

Im looking for info on what thickness of material Im going to need for building my new tank. I want it nice and shallow and also may add contained areas for bare bottom, sandy area, rocky and a refugium.
Im planning on converting a workbench in my office for its stand. The depth is short for good bright light with minimum investment in lighting and also because I have seen some really neat custom tanks at LFS all over the place. I have always wanted something a little odd shaped and with plenty of depth front to back. Any help would be great!

 

[taikonaut]

For a 12 inch tall acrylic tank, 1/2 inch should be fine, if not an overkill already. Important thing is to make sure you get the casted acrylic, instead of extruded. The plastic supplier should be able to give you the specific, but you can also search on this forum and find all the info you needed. There are several threads discussing about the thickness of acrylic a while back.

 

[RichMacys]

What is the difference between cell and extruded? This is the plan. I figured I could get away with 1/4" for it. But 3/8" would be less flexy. I may make it more like a 3x4 cubish thing but only 10" deep. Im going to use a couple of rubbermaid tubs for the sump unless I can find a better way.

This is going to be the first acrylic tank Ive built so I want to make sure I dont jack things up and end up with 60-70 gallons of water on the floor. What would you suggest for bracing? I will probably use a full piece for the top and hole drill the opening on four corners. Then I can use my dremel with the router attachment and a straight edge for the long cuts.

I know a dremel isnt the best thing to use but it will probably be a little easier than trying to convince the wife to get another $100.00 tool when I got my whole workshop for X-Mas(table saw, Drill Press, Mitre saw, and tool box).Can you say ding ding ding ding$$$$.

But at least I have some real tools now. No more crooked cuts and trying to make things without 45 degree corners. My wife says everything I make looks like a refrigerator

 

[Acrylics]

What is the difference between cell and extruded?

Do you want the scientific mumbo jumbo or plain n' simple answer?
Here goes: Most commercially available acrylic is made one of two ways, extruded and cell cast. Extruded material is made like playdough, mix up a bunch of resin and squeeze it out between two steel drums on a conveyor belt, rapidly cool it, and you now have extruded material. Cell cast is made by pouring resin between two sheets of glass and letting it cure. The amount of residual stress in the extruded material is quite high, it's just inherent in the process. What this means is that in can craze easily - possibly leading to material failure. If you ever seen those little microfractures in acrylic - you know what I'm speaking of. Residual stress in the cell cast is relatively low because it was allowed to cure very slowly so it's just more stable and therefore it's propensity to craze is much lower.
Since tanks are in fact pressure vessels, it only makes sense to use the most stable material possible. Does this mean extruded won't work? nope, many do use extruded material for sumps, etc.. its just not the "preferred" material for long term structural durability.

This is the plan. I figured I could get away with 1/4" for it. But 3/8" would be less flexy. I may make it more like a 3x4 cubish thing but only 10" deep. Im going to use a couple of rubbermaid tubs for the sump unless I can find a better way.

I'd recommend 1/4" at the absolute minimum, but 3/8" would be good, as always - thicker is better.

This is going to be the first acrylic tank Ive built so I want to make sure I dont jack things up and end up with 60-70 gallons of water on the floor. What would you suggest for bracing? I will probably use a full piece for the top and hole drill the opening on four corners. Then I can use my dremel with the router attachment and a straight edge for the long cuts.

Sounds reasonable. As for bracing, this is dependent on the thickness of acrylic used. Say you use 1/4", you should use the full top and a centerbrace. This would leave you two openings measuring 18"(or so) square. If you use 1/2", you can just put one big opening measuring 20 x 44"(again, or so). Big openings are always nice cuz you have many more lighting options without wqorrying about the effect on the acrylic. If you decide on 3/8", I'd recommend a 2" flange all the way around and maybe a 4" centerbrace.

HTH,
James

 

[RichMacys]

Thats the kind of mumbo jumbo I was looking for! :lol:
Now, what is the best supplier of Cell Cast Acrylic( US plastics, ?,?,?)
I have one place local http://www.merprocorp.com/ Im not sure if they sell to the public though. I may try a couple of glass shops also to see what they have.

I am making this a do everything/Dexters Lab kinda thing. I was thinking about including a built in refgium/sump/ and all so it doesnt need a sump below it. Maybe even a multi-tier system that dumps from one compartment to another but has the ability to run each individually in case of issues (disease/pests/algae).

That compartmentalizing( is that a word?) will also increase the integrity of the tank. I could put a SCWD with the outlets going one to each side and the center would get the back and forth action because of the water levels rising and falling in the sections. Man, I wish I could build a 150-200 gallon version of this! :x

Anyway, any help with suppliers links or numbers would be great. Thanks for the info.

 

[Acrylics]

what is the best supplier of Cell Cast Acrylic( US plastics, ?,?,?)
I have one place local http://www.merprocorp.com/ Im not sure if they sell to the public though. I may try a couple of glass shops also to see what they have.

Look in the yellow pages under "plastics, distributors, sheet rod.." Merprocorp may be fine, they say they sell Cyro Acrylite brand acrylic, this is pretty good stuff but if you want cell cast - be sure to mention cell cast or "Acrylite GP" (Cyro's cast acrylic). I don't find USPlastics to be that great at least by their website as it doesn't say if it's cast or extruded acrylic.

I am making this a do everything/Dexters Lab kinda thing. I was thinking about including a built in refgium/sump/ and all so it doesnt need a sump below it. Maybe even a multi-tier system that dumps from one compartment to another but has the ability to run each individually in case of issues (disease/pests/algae).

sure, knock yourself out just remember the more baffles, dividers, etc., you put in there, the more squareness becomes an issue so be aware of this when designing this thing

That compartmentalizing( is that a word?)

is now

Man, I wish I could build a 150-200 gallon version of this!

with some practice, you'll be able to.

Anyway, any help with suppliers links or numbers would be great. Thanks for the info.

look for names like Laird Plastics or GE Polymershapes, these are the two largest distributors in the country and you'll (most likely) be able to find your best prices from one of these. They both have web sites as well www.lairdplastics.com and www.gepolymershapes.com.
When looking for cast acrylic, there are only 3 name brands I'll recommend, they are Cyro Acrylite GP, Spartech Polycast, and Plexiglas G. Of course others may have differing opinions...
If ya need anything else, feel free

HTH,
James