Cutting Acrylic

Reef Pets · Feb 25, 2009

I purchased an acrylic tank from GlassCages.com. The tank is a 50 long which is 48 X 18 X 13 and will only be used for frag swaps. This is the reason I did not purchase a quality tank being that it will be hauled around often.
Anyhow, I dont feel that I need the tank to be 13 inches deep and would like to take about 4-5 inches off of the top. The main reason that I want to do this is so that I dont have to haul as much water to the swaps.
Can I just use a fine blade jig saw? Sorry for the question but I have never worked with acrylic before.
The tank comes with a black frame therefore I would have to remove the frame and then silicone it back in place. So, rough edges from a zip saw would not be an issue since I will be putting the frame back in place.
Any information would be great.
Gary

JuniorMC8704 · Feb 25, 2009

really easy.

ill find the thread on it tomorrow morning.

Basically, you tape a frame inside the tank at the height you want it at, and take a router with a laminate trimming bit, and the bearing follows the track inside and cuts it perfect.

here is a buddies sump that was 6" taller before we cut it. here is the final product.

Reef Pets · Feb 25, 2009

Junior - Thats a great job! I would like to start working with acrylic, the projects are endless of what can be done with it. If you can find the thread that would be great. I have a router and theres a good chance that I have the bit. So, I am just lacking the know how and I am sure the thread will fix that issue.
Gary

JuniorMC8704 · Feb 25, 2009

I just cut down an old acrylic 180 (72 x 24 x 24) to a 120 for my new frag system.

Now its 72 x 24 x 16, and was even able to cut the old sides off the top, flip it over, and reuse it. Even cut out a much larger whole in the top, and installed a center brace. Currently its being sanded down, and re-polished.

The tank was scratched to death, but for 150, and a lot of work, makes one heck of a frag tank.

There is a lot of great info you can look at now at www.melevsreef.com

Reef Pets · Feb 25, 2009

That does make one heck of a frag tank. Like you said, for 150 acrylic tank of that size its well worth putting the time into it. I can wait to see that tank full of frags!
Thanks for the link, I will start reading over it right away.

JuniorMC8704 · Feb 25, 2009

if you come up to the MMC conference, Marc is actually speaking at it, all about acrylic fabrication.

Reef Pets · Feb 25, 2009

Thats what I am getting the tank prepared for. I have never been to a swap therefore I am going by photos on how things are done. I figured a tank that size would be perfect if I were to tak a couple inches off of the top. I just dont know if I should filter it or what. I have never set up any type of temporary tank such as this. I feel that I might be over thinking the process. I like doing things right so there are no issues. So I am thinking a small sump under the tank with a return pump and this time of year a heater would of course be needed. Might even toss a small skimmer in there....

That would be great for me to set in on, I am sure I would learn a ton!

JuniorMC8704 · Feb 25, 2009

Dont waste your time with a skimmer. All you need is a pump for flow, a heater, and a nice sized reactor FULL of carbon.

Not much to it.

Reef Pets · Feb 25, 2009

So you think that by skipping the skimmer and replacing it with carbon will do the job? If so then that makes it much easier.....

JuniorMC8704 · Feb 25, 2009

a skimmer needs time to work, carbon is all you need.

The carbon will keep the water clear, and thats all you really need.

Simpler the better.

Reef Pets · Feb 25, 2009

Very true. I will look into getting a reactor put together, thanks for the advice.

rarelyseriousb · Feb 25, 2009

reefpets said:
Thats what I am getting the tank prepared for.

That would be great for me to set in on, I am sure I would learn a ton!

well make sure to start a thread here so I know how much Ill need to bring. One of my favorite zoas I got from you. The yumma didnt make it. It was kinda bleached and didnt really open up. (and a zoa frag also). But man you have nice stuff.

Reef Pets · Feb 25, 2009

The Yuma didnt make it? I had it under extreme light and it was strange, it really liked it!

I plan to bring a lot of frags I have shipments coming in either the end of this week or the beginning of next and will start cutting the coral so that they are good and ready.

How many people typically attend the MI swap?
Gary

rarelyseriousb said:
well make sure to start a thread here so I know how much Ill need to bring. One of my favorite zoas I got from you. The yumma didnt make it. It was kinda bleached and didnt really open up. (and a zoa frag also). But man you have nice stuff.

rarelyseriousb · Feb 25, 2009

a couple hundred if I had to guess. I may be wrong but the last swap alot of the stuff was spoken for before the swap. I dont like it that way but what are you going to do.

Ya the yuma was Half way down (10-12 inches) under a 175w MH. Oh well I guess this stuff happens.

Sorry for the Hijack.

Saltysteele · Feb 25, 2009

jr, what size is the acrylic on that sump your buddy did? that looks like some thick stuff! i was going to buy some 1/4" acrylic from another reefer at the other site, but now you have me wondering if that is even thick enough

btw, gary, a jig saw would work, but like jr said, a router would make the job a breeze!

JuniorMC8704 · Feb 25, 2009

both the sump and the tank were 3/8"

JuniorMC8704 · Feb 25, 2009

a jig saw could work, but too easy to have it run off track. FAR better to use a router or a laminate trimmer. Also the larger the bit, the better you are, because it stays cooler while cutting.

Saltysteele said:
jr, what size is the acrylic on that sump your buddy did? that looks like some thick stuff! i was going to buy some 1/4" acrylic from another reefer at the other site, but now you have me wondering if that is even thick enough

btw, gary, a jig saw would work, but like jr said, a router would make the job a breeze!