Building an acrylic / PVC bottom tank

[phixer]

Doing the research and gathering feedback for this project. Similar to AGE and MRC, has anyone made a PVC bottom tank with acrylic. Dimensions 120"L X 36H(vertical) X 48W(front to back). So the PVC base would be 120 X 48".

What did you use to bond the acrylic to the PVC?

Im thinking about using a 1.5" thick section of PVC for the base and routing a 1/2" deep groove in it. Filling the void with WO #40 and resting the panels in this groove. Essentially casting them into place. This is a new process for me so interested in any feedback as I may have to do some more experimentation.

Will need to consider cost also, if it's less expensive to use acrylic for the base I may end doing that instead.

On a side note, and despite contrary belief , this type of silicone appears to adhere very well to acrylic although I would never consider it as the primary bonding agent for acrylic to acrylic. It does show some promise for fiberglass / plywood / acrylic tanks. Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mReJB4qc9QU

 

[2quills]

Never built one. Interesting idea though using pvc for a base in that way. I tried a few tests once using some Weldon 3, 4 and sixteen to attach an acrylic base to some pvc pipe to see how they would hold but I wasn't thrilled. May have been acceptable for constructing a skimmer but not a tank, IMO. At one point I remember thinking to myself that I could probably get a better bond with a heavier application of silicone to join the two materials. Perhaps both methods of mechanical and molecular bondage could get the job done.

 

[phixer]

Thanks Quills. Im thinking about using 40 or 42 for it. I've been really impressed with this adhesive on prior projects and may give it a shot for this one providing the PVC cost less than a similar sheet of acrylic.

Funny how I meet more people that know how to build something as complex as a PC but so few out there know how to build something as simple as a box that holds water. LOL...