Frustrated....

[nvmycj]

I'm trying to build me a sump/fuge and am coming out empty.
My issue....
I went to Home Depot today to look for acrylic. I found a 32"X32" sheet of plexiglass for $49.00. I thought VERY pricey and flimsy. Anyone have any ideas as to where I might be able to buy acrylic in the Knoxville, TN area or online?
Thanks!!!

 

[monsinour]

http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=Acrylic+Sheets
Should be the first link after the sponsored links at the top.

 

[flower]

I used a regular fish tank, had heavy glass cut to make the baffles and silicone to hold it altogether

 

[2quills]

I'd look around the area and make some calls to local plastics shops. You can usually get it from them for a better price than ordering online. If you're going to build the sump tank from scratch make sure you use a cell cast material. My local plastics shop quoted me a price of $210 for a 4x8' sheet of 3/8" cell cast. Anything less is asking for trouble.
If you're just looking to make baffles for a glass sump than extrude is usually fine. But you can get glass cut for a heck of alot cheaper.

 

[1guydude]

+1 on the glass....it cast cell the same as lexan? I know lexan is very strong but also a lot of $ i believe. Home depot charged me like $20 for some acrylic it was 4x4 i believe....but the thinner it is the more "flimsy" it is!

 

[nvmycj]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///forum/thread/385676/frustrated#post_3383327

I used a regular fish tank, had heavy glass cut to make the baffles and silicone to hold it altogether
I tried using a 10 gallon tank...but it's like 1/2" to big for underneath my stand.

 

[nvmycj]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/385676/frustrated#post_3383330
I'd look around the area and make some calls to local plastics shops. You can usually get it from them for a better price than ordering online. If you're going to build the sump tank from scratch make sure you use a cell cast material. My local plastics shop quoted me a price of $210 for a 4x8' sheet of 3/8" cell cast. Anything less is asking for trouble.
If you're just looking to make baffles for a glass sump than extrude is usually fine. But you can get glass cut for a heck of alot cheaper.
What's "cell cast material?"
Thanks!

 

[2quills]

Quote:
Originally Posted by NVMYCJ http:///forum/thread/385676/frustrated#post_3383414
What's "cell cast material?"
Thanks!
Cell cast is just a term used to describe the manufacturing process of different types of acrylics and it's what is used to construct aquariums for it's strength. Typical extrude can't handle the pressure and will tend to bow out.
From the experts:...
There are two basic types of acrylic: extruded and cell cast. Extruded or "continuous cast" acrylic is made by a less expensive process, is softer, can scratch easier and may contain impurities. Cell cast acrylic is a higher quality acrylic and U.S. domestic cell cast is a good choice for applications that require the best. Imported cell cast acrylic is often manufactured to lesser standards. " Cell Cast acrylics are generally considered to have the best optical clarity. It also has greater surface hardness and machines more cleanly than continuous cast or extruded.

 

[2quills]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1guyDude http:///forum/thread/385676/frustrated#post_3383342
+1 on the glass....it cast cell the same as lexan? I know lexan is very strong but also a lot of $ i believe. Home depot charged me like $20 for some acrylic it was 4x4 i believe....but the thinner it is the more "flimsy" it is!
Lexan is a polycarbonate plastic. Not exactly the same material as cast acrylic. And yes it is very expensive, especially when you go higher in thickness...the price doubles or triples each time you go up the scale. It just isn't necissary, and it's not really regaurded for it's optical clearity.