Acrylic thickness help

deerhunter06 · Feb 15, 2016

Ok guys I need some help here, I found an aquarium made by Midwest custom Aquariums a pretty reputable builder. Its a 480g, 96 X 34 x 34 It was made with no overflows and made for 360 degree viewing, When It came out it had a bubble in the acrylic so the customer didn't want it because the 360 degree viewing, Midwest put it up for sale for 3800, I thought it was a decent deal, So I called on it and said I would take it, Its brand new and warranted as such, he said he would also paint bubble side black and add overflows for no charge.

Heres my issue, come to find out Its 1 inch acrylic on the sides front and back and 3/4 on top and bottom. Everything I have read says 1 1/4 inch minimum on a tank 34 inches high... Can anyone confirm or does anyone have a comparable tank. Seeing how it was built with no overflows leads me to believe it was built for a reptile.

Any help or advice would be appreciated!

buckeye82 · Feb 15, 2016

Mine is far from that big but for 96x30x12 the manufacturer would not feel safe going less than 3/4 think all around so that is what I went with.

deerhunter06 · Feb 15, 2016

buckeye82 said:
Mine is far from that big but for 96x30x12 the manufacturer would not feel safe going less than 3/4 think all around so that is what I went with.

Hmm well I'm sure 1 inch might bow a little but it might be ok.

kschweer · Feb 15, 2016

Size of the eurobracing may come into play here and be why the acrylic is a bit thinner. @Floyd R Turbo should be able to help more than me.

deerhunter06 · Feb 15, 2016

deerhunter06 · Feb 15, 2016

Little help @Floyd R Turbo ?

Turbo's Aquatics · Feb 15, 2016

James's formula

24" high, use 1/2" minimum
30" high, use 3/4" minimum
36" high, use 1" minimum

3" eurobrace on any tank

6" wide crossbrace every 24" of tank
length

That looks like 6" euro, 6" crossbrace which means it's beefed up for thinner top/bottom

I'd say if MWC says it's built right, it's built right. Top notch builder. That's assuming you mean the one in Starbuck MN. If so I know they are top notch because I spoke with their rep at Sabic Polymershapes in the TC and all they buy is Polycast which means their 1" material is actually 1" think ann not the metric equivalent (which is thinner)