The height of your aquarium is what matters the most when it comes to acrylic thickness. It is not the only criteria but it is the number one. What size are you looking for?
I wanted to go 30” high but I don’t have to. Really I’d like to go as long as I can, preferably over 60” if possible. My original plan was to do a tank that was 72”L x 30”H x 24”W but I know I would have to use thicker acrylic and it just got too pricey. So I figured I would see what’s possibly with thinner acrylic and go from there. Then maybe one day when I have a bigger budget I could make a larger one.
Even that’s pretty thin in my opinion. Bad things indeed.
Ok good to know. I’ll stick with trying to find acrylic that is at least 1/2” thick then. Thanks for your help!
As a point of reference if you decide to give it a try, we sell pre-cut kits to qualified fabricators (Sorry, not to the general hobby crowd). This is a popular size, 225 and we sell it for around $800 for 1/2 inch (which is fine says the thousands we already have built) or $1,200 for 3/4 inch.
I was going to brace it. I don’t feel safe without, especially at that size. If it was like a 40 or 50g i probably wouldn’t. But I’d like to go over 100-200g.
That’s good number to reference. Thank you for that.
"Bracing" it won't work. You need to attach a full top. This is why I am trying to gently discourage you from doing this.
I was planning on using a full sheet the size i needed and cutting out the holes. Not just welding strips of acrylic on top.
You are correct, I have not. I do understand the complications of doing so, and I am trying to do as much research before I jump into anything. I understand there is possibility of failure and wasting money, but I also know that going into this project. I have not fully decided if I will or not, but if I do end up going forward with it and it turns out successful, then it will open up the possibility of me making other tanks for myself instead of buying them. Plus I enjoy DIY projects.
I would then recommend, 'start' by trying to make small boxes, display boxes and the like first. When you can get pretty, water tight, bubble free seams consistently on like 1/4", try a little thicker/larger.
I am not usually one to discourage DIY. If you asked me about building a 50 gallon sump that was going to hold 30 gallons of water at an average of 16" deep in a 22" tall overall height, I would say go for it.
Good advise. Thanks for the heads up! A small one would be a good tester project before I spend a lot more money on a larger test.
FWIW you must do the tester project... but one does not translate well to the other. Large joints take rather precise manipulation and adhesive application and joint finishing is as much a learned art as it is a skill.
