Acrylic Tank Diary

reef_dart21

reef_dart21

Member
Well i found that i would like to custom make my next tank so im going to buy acrylic sheets and put them together

I am just lost on which measurements i should do?
Im going with 1/2" acrylic but dont know if i should make shallow but big or more lest like a 60 gallon?
im not aloud to tell u site but here are the prices so i need opinions thank you
1013010200
6" x 12" - Clear Acrylic Plexiglass Sheet - 1/2'' Thick Cast
Our Price: $5.99
1013015200
6" x 18" - Clear Acrylic Plexiglass Sheet - 1/2'' Thick Cast
Our Price: $8.29
1013025200
9" x 12" - Clear Acrylic Plexiglass Sheet - 1/2'' Thick Cast
Our Price: $8.29
1013030200
9" x 18" - Clear Acrylic Plexiglass Sheet - 1/2'' Thick Cast
Our Price: $11.99
1013035200
9" x 24" - Clear Acrylic Plexiglass Sheet - 1/2'' Thick Cast
Our Price: $15.79
1013040200
9" x 36" - Clear Acrylic Plexiglass Sheet - 1/2'' Thick Cast
Our Price: $23.49
1013045200
9" x 48" - Clear Acrylic Plexiglass Sheet - 1/2'' Thick Cast
Our Price: $30.59
1013050200
12" x 12" - Clear Acrylic Plexiglass Sheet - 1/2'' Thick Cast
Our Price: $10.69
1013055200
12" x 24" - Clear Acrylic Plexiglass Sheet - 1/2'' Thick Cast
Our Price: $20.89
1013060200
12" x 36" - Clear Acrylic Plexiglass Sheet - 1/2'' Thick Cast
Our Price: $30.59
1013065200
12" x 48" - Clear Acrylic Plexiglass Sheet - 1/2'' Thick Cast
Our Price: $39.99
1013070200
18" x 24" - Clear Acrylic Plexiglass Sheet - 1/2'' Thick Cast
Our Price: $30.59
1013075200
18" x 36" - Clear Acrylic Plexiglass Sheet - 1/2" Thick Cast
Our Price: $44.59
1013080200
18" x 48" - Clear Acrylic Plexiglass Sheet - 1/2" Thick Cast
Our Price: $57.99
1013085200
24" x 24" - Clear Acrylic Plexiglass Sheet - 1/2'' Thick Cast
Our Price: $39.99
1013090200
24" x 36" - Clear Acrylic Plexiglass Sheet - 1/2'' Thick Cast
Our Price: $57.99
1013095200
24" x 48" - Clear Acrylic Plexiglass Sheet - 1/2'' Thick Cast
Our Price: $76.49
 
posiden

posiden

Active Member
Well like most things, the more you buy the less expensive it is per sq.ft.
If that is where you will be buying from......buy the largest sheet.
 
reef_dart21

reef_dart21

Member
Originally Posted by Posiden
http:///forum/post/2949338
Well like most things, the more you buy the less expensive it is per sq.ft.
If that is where you will be buying from......buy the largest sheet.
I am able to get custom made pieces, that is why i was wondering if i should go with a 70 gallon tall or 55 gallon tall or a shallow long box/corner?
 
diy

diy

Member
I know who these guys are. They have the best prices I have found anywhere, its hard to get in contact with them though.
 
elite

elite

Member
i say do a tank that is shorter height wise but longer length wise...
this way you dont have to spend crazy money on metal halide light fixtures and the monthly bill that comes every month and the heat
this way you can run some HO T5's and it will be enough for almost all corals....
 
zoie2

zoie2

Active Member
why would you use plexiglass and not real glass? I find plexiglass gets scratces and looks dull after a while. Of course I've never seen it used in a tank before, only windows.
 
reef_dart21

reef_dart21

Member
Originally Posted by zoie2
http:///forum/post/2949727
why would you use plexiglass and not real glass? I find plexiglass gets scratces and looks dull after a while. Of course I've never seen it used in a tank before, only windows.

Im using acrylic, although easily scartched the acrylic provides better protection to breaking as well as it is easy to drill for sump.
Tempered glass cant be drilled
 
king_neptune

king_neptune

Active Member
Shallow(height) with depth(as in wider) would be cool, more 3dimentional look to the tank. But if your doing corals you need to consider different ones have different needs when it comes to light. A shallow tank limits that vs a deeper one.
 
posiden

posiden

Active Member
Your tank doesn't have to be tempered glass. But even if you did want it tempered to save a little weight, you could drill it then temper it.
Acrylic just doesn't seem to hold back pressure very well long term IMO. The best example of this was when I watched a build on --. He built a ten gallon cube out of 1/2" cast acrylic. Within (I think it was) 6 months he rebuilt it out of starfire glass cause the acrylic bowed. If 1/2" can't support ten gallons of water and not distort........IDK.
Just my nickels worth. Good Luck in what you decide.
 
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