Best DIY Guides for a 100G AIO?

[Iamnotyourtrigger]

I am about a fairies-fart away from building my own AIO. I watched a youtube video and they made it look FAR TOO EASY. I have structural engineering experience and a full workshop to cut and create all of the relevant pieces. What I lack is the fluid dynamic insight. I plan on creating a 48x24x20 with a 5 inch divided baffle for the filtration that will span 30 inches of the rear for refugium. I do not know what type of silicone is the best, if a lid is necessary, or much anything. Does anyone have a place for me to start?

 

[shwareefer]

GE SCS1200 series silicone is what you want to use for building aquariums. I prefer black which is SCS1203 but any of the colors in this series are safe. This of course is assuming you are building from glass which you did not specify. There's a few glass thickness calculators out there but here's one I happened to have bookmarked.

https://www.omnicalculator.com/other/aquarium-glass-thickness

 

[Iamnotyourtrigger]

@shwareefer What about acrylic?

 

[shwareefer]

@shwareefer What about acrylic?

Acrylic is not bonded permanently with silicone ( people do it for baffles and overflows but the bond is relatively weak and not safe for aquarium construction). It needs to be welded together with solvent for a permanent bond. Here's an example of an acrylic bonding solvent:

https://www.tapplastics.com/product/repair_products/plastic_adhesives/tap_acrylic_cement/130

There a several different products and you'll need to do your research. The product I linked is liquid like water and 'wicks' between mated surfaces that need to be machined (routed will do) for a nice finish and is what a serious pro builder might use. There are thicker products which you may prefer to use if there might be blemishes in your edge finishing.

FYI, I have never made an acrylic aquarium personally.

here's some calculators for acrylic thickness. I think you need excel or equivalent for these.

https://www.acrylite.co/resources/calculators

 

[Iamnotyourtrigger]

Acrylic is not bonded permanently with silicone ( people do it for baffles and overflows but the bond is relatively weak and not safe for aquarium construction). It needs to be welded together with solvent for a permanent bond. Here's an example of an acrylic bonding solvent:

https://www.tapplastics.com/product/repair_products/plastic_adhesives/tap_acrylic_cement/130

There a several different products and you'll need to do your research. The product I linked is liquid like water and 'wicks' between mated surfaces that need to be machined (routed will do) for a nice finish and is what a serious pro builder might use. There are thicker products which you may prefer to use if there might be blemishes in your edge finishing.

FYI, I have never made an acrylic aquarium personally.

here's some calculators for acrylic thickness. I think you need excel or equivalent for these.

https://www.acrylite.co/resources/calculators

Thank you so very much!!!!