Building an acrylic tank
- Thread starter antbritt
- Start date
reefforbrains
Active Member
a monkey can glue acrylic, Weld-on is a fantastic product and very easy to use but the cutting is the hard part.
If you can have your local shop laser cut your parts then I would say go for it.
If looking to build something large. I reverse me opinion for sake of saving a few hundred bucks could potentially put countless thousands at risk when/if you dont bond with good structure.
If you can have your local shop laser cut your parts then I would say go for it.
If looking to build something large. I reverse me opinion for sake of saving a few hundred bucks could potentially put countless thousands at risk when/if you dont bond with good structure.
jovial
Member
I have built many and still do for public facilities. Edge prep is paramount when bonding acrylic panels. If you have access to a CNC router it will produce the most consistent cuts possible. If not you can get pretty close with a hand router. Anything over 1" thick Id recommend using the pins method. Under and you should be fine with #4 a needle applicator and capillary cementing. Would start by building a few sumps before building anything over too large. Dont be discouraged, it's not hard if you do your research.
costa13
Member
I use the pins method with weldon 4 applying it with a needle applicator. I use an 80 tooth blade to cut the pieces of acrylic and since I don't have a very good router I just sand each edge until it is smooth. IMO smooth edges is the key to not having any leaks. If you do have any leaks then just go around with weldon 16. This method has always worked for me. Good Luck. It will be hard at first but once you get over that learning curve it becomes a piece of cake.
jovial
Member
Originally Posted by costa13
I use the pins method with weldon 4 applying it with a needle applicator. I use an 80 tooth blade to cut the pieces of acrylic and since I don't have a very good router I just sand each edge until it is smooth. IMO smooth edges is the key to not having any leaks. If you do have any leaks then just go around with weldon 16. This method has always worked for me. Good Luck. It will be hard at first but once you get over that learning curve it becomes a piece of cake.
This is good advice. How thick are you working with? Ive always just walked into a local plastics supplier for solvent cement and materials, Port Plastics for the acrylic. Id check the net to see whats close to Tehachapi, Las Vegas might have a few good shops if you want large sheets.
I use the pins method with weldon 4 applying it with a needle applicator. I use an 80 tooth blade to cut the pieces of acrylic and since I don't have a very good router I just sand each edge until it is smooth. IMO smooth edges is the key to not having any leaks. If you do have any leaks then just go around with weldon 16. This method has always worked for me. Good Luck. It will be hard at first but once you get over that learning curve it becomes a piece of cake.
This is good advice. How thick are you working with? Ive always just walked into a local plastics supplier for solvent cement and materials, Port Plastics for the acrylic. Id check the net to see whats close to Tehachapi, Las Vegas might have a few good shops if you want large sheets.
barchtruong
Member
Go buy one. Save all the energy for corals and fishes.
And mostly, it's safe.
And mostly, it's safe.