Acrylic
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: DIY
Forum Description: Do it Yourself
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=21192
Printed Date: July 20 2026 at 9:08pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Acrylic
Posted By: Crazy Tarzan
Subject: Acrylic
Date Posted: October 16 2007 at 4:17pm
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where is everyone getting their acrylic to build tanks with from? I want to build a small tank (24" l x 14" d x 18" t) for my desk at work. I called regional, and they say that I have to use cell cast acrylic to build an aquarium (even that small of dimensions). I was planning on using 3/16" thick for it. However for either type the cost is well over $100 ($200 for the cell cast) so I'd rather buy a glass aquarium than pay that much for plastic. Does anyone know anywhere I can find cheaper acrylic? ------------- Was that in there yesterday? Casper--WY windier than ? Down to a 20, soon to double or nothing |
Replies:
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: October 16 2007 at 4:51pm
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Acrylic is expensive.
Your dimensions are nearly the same as a 20 gallon tall (24X12.5X17) I would look for a good used glass tank.
Mike -------------  |
Posted By: rdbrown
Date Posted: October 16 2007 at 5:35pm
| Check with Delvies Plastics 801-467-1540, GE Polymershapes 801-266-9899, and Laird Plastics 801-485-6770. From my experience Laird Plastics has the best prices. |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: October 16 2007 at 5:36pm
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Welcome rdbrown!
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: Crazy Tarzan
Date Posted: October 16 2007 at 5:44pm
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I've looked up the different sizes, but I was hoping to get that little bit of extra depth in a small tank. I might just end up buying a glass tank and drilling it to run a sump under.
------------- Was that in there yesterday? Casper--WY windier than ? Down to a 20, soon to double or nothing |
Posted By: CrimsRayne
Date Posted: October 16 2007 at 6:24pm
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my problem with acrylic is that it can get scrached easily even by simple everyday cleaning or aquascaping. Tileman's is the only one I've seen that has stayed looking as good as glass. For a tank that small I would go with glass for sure.
BTW Marine Aquatics can get just about any kind of tank... from what I've heard. ------------- "What we know from this hobby is too hard to share with the people who just want to look and not get wet." -Rioreefer "The Puffer Girl" Zoo freak :) West Jordan |
Posted By: rdbrown
Date Posted: October 16 2007 at 8:58pm
| You could always have a custom rimless tank made by glasscages.com |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: October 16 2007 at 10:00pm
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Marine Aquatics makes custom acrylic tanks.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: bwinberg
Date Posted: October 16 2007 at 11:32pm
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My new 90 is acrylic. So far I'm not a big fan. ------------- 24 Gal JBJ Nano Cube |
Posted By: Crazy Tarzan
Date Posted: October 17 2007 at 10:25am
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I've actually decided to stay away from acrylic for the moment--to expensive for what I'm after.
------------- Was that in there yesterday? Casper--WY windier than ? Down to a 20, soon to double or nothing |
Posted By: Crazy Tarzan
Date Posted: October 19 2007 at 3:31pm
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So, I'm still entertaining the acrylic idea--but I have a few questions. If I want to build a tank that is 30-36" long, 14-18" front to back and a max of 18" tall: Does it have to be cell cast? How thick would be recommended? I plan on putting a top on it that has routered openings--would I need to provide any additional bracing to prevent bowing? Or just maintain at least 2-3" around the top? The reason I'm still entertaining this is I want to do a custom overflow using the whole back panel as the overflow ledge, and I want a lot of front to back depth for aquascaping (plus I can glue acrylic supports in for things) and I'll probably pay $50+ for a similar tank in glass... plus drilling etc. ------------- Was that in there yesterday? Casper--WY windier than ? Down to a 20, soon to double or nothing |
Posted By: jpndave
Date Posted: October 28 2007 at 1:15pm
| Yes, HAS to be cell cast. You could use 3/8" thick. I will see if I can post a few links to calculators. |
Posted By: rdbrown
Date Posted: October 30 2007 at 8:49pm
| 3/8" will work fine, and yes it has to be cell cast acrylic. It will probably cost you more to do the acrylic, as most plastic dealers sell only full sheets. A 3/8" 4' x 8' sheet is going for about $163.35. |
Posted By: Crazy Tarzan
Date Posted: October 31 2007 at 10:40am
The cheapest I found on 3/8" cell cast was around $5.30/sq ft. at GE plastics. Needless to say I bought a glass tank.  ------------- Was that in there yesterday? Casper--WY windier than ? Down to a 20, soon to double or nothing |
Posted By: rdbrown
Date Posted: October 31 2007 at 11:09am
| The savings in acrylic only comes in when you are building a large aquarium. The other advantage is weight. Another advantage is acrylic insulates. I myself will never buy a large glass aquarium again, just for the weight factor. |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: October 31 2007 at 11:26am
That is a whole lot of money!
 Mike ------------- |
rdbrown wrote:Posted By: jpndave
Date Posted: October 31 2007 at 11:27am
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Check out this thread:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=11088043#post11088043 - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=11088043#post11088043
Calculator here:
http://cyro.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/cyro.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=133&p_created=979155189&p_sid=U44DJzPi&p_accessibility=0&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD03NTImcF9wcm9kcz0mcF9jYXRzPSZwX3B2PSZwX2N2PSZwX3NlYXJjaF90eXBlPWFuc3dlcnMuc2VhcmNoX25sJnBfcGFnZT0x&p_li=&p_topview=1 - http://cyro.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/cyro.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=133&p_created=979155189&p_sid=U44DJzPi&p_accessibility=0&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD03NTImcF9wcm9kcz0mcF9jYXRzPSZwX3B2PSZwX2N2PSZwX3NlYXJjaF90eXBlPWFuc3dlcnMuc2VhcmNoX25sJnBfcGFnZT0x&p_li=&p_topview=1
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Posted By: jpndave
Date Posted: October 31 2007 at 11:32am
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You can also try Delvies Plastics. They will sell partial sheets. Their acrylic is imported. Evidently there is a quality difference. I am just finishing up a 21" cube of 3/8" using their products for the sump and tank. I will use a different brand for the 180 I have planned. That said, the tank I built turned out fine other than some small bubbles in some of the seams. The experts over on RC thought there is a good chance the bubbles are because of the acrylic. The 1/4" on the sump bonded perfectly.
http://www.delviesplastics.com/ - http://www.delviesplastics.com/
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Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: October 31 2007 at 11:41am
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You need to create an account to use the calculator.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: jpndave
Date Posted: November 01 2007 at 4:03pm
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Here is a better choice for a calculator, should have remembered this one before.
http://garf.org/ - http://garf.org/
It is under DIY Pages, then tank building. I think this one is more realistic.
HTH,
Dave
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Posted By: LordMaximo
Date Posted: November 29 2007 at 3:17pm
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3/8" ~ 10mm is conversion. I am game on building a sump with 10mm outer walls and 5mm wier walls. Just finished drawing up a simple sump plan. $170 for a 8x4 is pricey, but it will never break if you bump the sump by accident.
Heck you can't beat the price in reality, if you are planning on doing a sump too. If you bought one of those custom sumps from the Doc's shop, you are gonna pay around $300.00 for the pro model. For that price, you can build your tank and sump and save money.
Maximo
------------- Trigger Master |