Acrylic or plexi for my custom frag tank build?

Flatbrook · Sep 17, 2013

So here is my predicament...
I am in the process of designing a 3'x2'x12" acrylic frag tank with built in sump/refugium. All of my design work is done, and am now in the process of pricing out all the supplies. I contacted a local glass shop for acrylic sheet pricing. In his e-mail response to me, he stated that his distributer told him to push me away from cell cast acrylic, and to go with either plexiglass or even more, lexan. I did get a price on a 4'x8'x3/8 thick acrylic which was $189, and a sheet of 4x8x3/8 thick plexiglass which was $371. Lexan, I did not get a price on. I wan to ask everyone here there thoughts before I make the decision. I am leaning toward the acrylic, because it won't hurt my wallet as much, and from what I've read, that's what most use.
Scott

Ron Reefman · Sep 18, 2013

Have you ruled out using glass? Why?

I made a 2' x 18" x 12" frag tank and the glass cost me under $90 all cut to size with clean edges. Now I'm getting ready to build a 4' x 18" x 16" frag tank and plan to do glass again. May even use starfire on the front glass as the tank will be on a tall stand.

Flatbrook · Sep 18, 2013

The thought was in my head till I got my quote from the local glass shop and was $20 per cut. I kinda like the thought of how easy it is to add on if needed, and working with plastic is easier for me in the long run.

Flatbrook · Sep 19, 2013

I am starting to lose faith in my local glass shop. My latest email from him stated NOT to use Weldon to build my tank because it is toxic to fish and will kill everything in my tank. I responded that most acrylic tank builders use Weldon and it is completely inert when cured.

robbrouse · Sep 19, 2013

I would go with cell cast acrylic. I have used all in project and I find it to be better than the rest.

Elite-Aquatics · Sep 19, 2013

You might want to look for a local plastic supply house rather then a glass shop, it sounds like your glass shop doesn't know what he is talking about lol. The word "Plexiglass" is a brand name, its not a different type of plastic, it is acrylic. You want to use cell cast acrylic and Weld-on 4. Don't try and use lexan (polycarbonate) to build a frag tank. Your qoute for 3/8" acrylic for $189 isn't to bad, what brand of acrylic was it?

PepperDeath · Sep 19, 2013

definitely go with cell cast..its way easier to cut and work with! also ask them if the have some scrap pieces..i was able to get enought scrap to build a tank bigger than that size for cheap! i got one piece of scrap that was 6x12 i think for 1$ lol it wasnt cell cast but i couldnt pass that up

Flatbrook · Sep 19, 2013

Elite-Aquatics said:
You might want to look for a local plastic supply house rather then a glass shop, it sounds like your glass shop doesn't know what he is talking about lol. The word "Plexiglass" is a brand name, its not a different type of plastic, it is acrylic. You want to use cell cast acrylic and Weld-on 4. Don't try and use lexan (polycarbonate) to build a frag tank. Your qoute for 3/8" acrylic for $189 isn't to bad, what brand of acrylic was it?

Not sure of the brand, but this is the quote:;
Ln Quantity Unit Part#/Description Unit Price Unit
1 2
1 EA ACR CLR 0.354CGM
*.354X48X96 CLR ACR CAST GEN PM2. 189.390 EA

1 EA ACR CLR 0.472PLM
*.472x48x96 CLR ACR PLAS PM2. 291.710 EA

1 is for 3/8, and one is for 1/2"

robbrouse · Sep 19, 2013

I'd 2nd the look into local. I have 2 places in Utah (that I know of) and I can by scrape at about $1.75 a pound.. You have to go though it and they have all different colors. Might be worth your time.

marvelousone · Sep 19, 2013

Ron Reefman said:
Have you ruled out using glass? Why?

I made a 2' x 18" x 12" frag tank and the glass cost me under $90 all cut to size with clean edges. Now I'm getting ready to build a 4' x 18" x 16" frag tank and plan to do glass again. May even use starfire on the front glass as the tank will be on a tall stand.

How about some pics. how did you put it together. Silcone and did you frame the outsides. I am wanting to do the same thing.

Elite-Aquatics · Sep 20, 2013

Flatbrook said:
Not sure of the brand, but this is the quote:;
Ln Quantity Unit Part#/Description Unit Price Unit
1 2
1 EA ACR CLR 0.354CGM
*.354X48X96 CLR ACR CAST GEN PM2. 189.390 EA

1 EA ACR CLR 0.472PLM
*.472x48x96 CLR ACR PLAS PM2. 291.710 EA

1 is for 3/8, and one is for 1/2"

Are you doing the tank rimless or eurobraced?

Ron Reefman · Sep 20, 2013

marvelousone said:
How about some pics. how did you put it together. Silcone and did you frame the outsides. I am wanting to do the same thing.

I don't want to hijack Scott's thread. Start a new one and ask about building a glass frag tank and I'll jump in. I have some photos and I'm just getting ready to start a the new bigger tank.

Flatbrook · Sep 20, 2013

I want to go rimless. I don't think it will be a problem with the tank only being 3' long x 2' wide x 12" deep.

Ron Reefman · Sep 20, 2013

For the small extra cost of materials, I'd go with the 1/2". But you are right, at only 12" deep the side pressure is very low and bowing shouldn't be an issue. I have a 50g, 36" x 18" x 20" tall acrylic tank that is rimless and has no euro bracing either (I cut it off). It's 3/8th thick and the bowing is very, limited. And I've been using it for 6 years now.

JPG@CFI · Sep 21, 2013

If you go rimless, plan on going thicker, more like 1/2". 3/4" would be bulletproof! Lexan isn't the material to use for a tank, either is extruded. Plex-G or Polycast are the 2 brands that I use. Steer clear if Asian import plastic. Best of luck. J