DIY Acrylic tank build thicc-ness?

[graffitireef]

Hi all!

I've been in the hobby for a while. Last tank crashed in 2013 and got rid of everything. starting from scratch and decided to build my own acrylic tank.

Dimensions will be 48" x 36" x 36".

I'm going to utilize a coast to coast overflow and will be constructing an external toothless overflow that's 45" x 6" x 8"

What thickness of acrylic do you recommend for the tank as well as the external overflow? I'm assuming the overflow would not need to be more than 1/2? I'm concerned if I would also need to add some bracing for the tank consider the height. would a center brace be better as opposed to Euro bracing? I do plan on keeping a moray and making it a mixed coral tank and will be devising a way to cover the tank (to prevent the moray from jumping) without it looking ugly and affecting the lighting.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Brew12]

Hi all!

I've been in the hobby for a while. Last tank crashed in 2013 and got rid of everything. starting from scratch and decided to build my own acrylic tank.

Dimensions will be 48" x 36" x 36".

I'm going to utilize a coast to coast overflow and will be constructing an external toothless overflow that's 45" x 6" x 8"

What thickness of acrylic do you recommend for the tank as well as the external overflow? I'm assuming the overflow would not need to be more than 1/2? I'm concerned if I would also need to add some bracing for the tank consider the height. would a center brace be better as opposed to Euro bracing? I do plan on keeping a moray and making it a mixed coral tank and will be devising a way to cover the tank (to prevent the moray from jumping) without it looking ugly and affecting the lighting.

Thanks in advance!

If you want to try and get away without bracing you would need 1 1/2" acrylic. If you use Eurobracing you could likely get away with 1" acrylic. Those would be the absolute minimum so you may want to bump the thickness up.
You should be fine with 1/2" acrylic on the overflow.

 

[graffitireef]

If you want to try and get away without bracing you would need 1 1/2" acrylic. If you use Eurobracing you could likely get away with 1" acrylic. Those would be the absolute minimum so you may want to bump the thickness up.
You should be fine with 1/2" acrylic on the overflow.

Thanks! I'm still planning this beast out. I'm pretty handy with wood so I'm confident my skills will transfer over smoothly to acrylic. I'll be sure to show progress in the tank build page, might even show the whole process through a youtube series.

 

[Brew12]

Thanks! I'm still planning this beast out. I'm pretty handy with wood so I'm confident my skills will transfer over smoothly to acrylic. I'll be sure to show progress in the tank build page, might even show the whole process through a youtube series.

Your biggest problem may be finding the correct adhesive to use. The EPA banned the sale of the good stuff to the general public from what I understand. But good luck!

 

[graffitireef]

Your biggest problem may be finding the correct adhesive to use. The EPA banned the sale of the good stuff to the general public from what I understand. But good luck!

I read on a couple diy forums that people were using weld on 40 acrylic cement. They said thats what the pros were using and it looks like its still available. Is that the stuff you were talking about or is there another type of cement I should be looking for? I have my methods of obtaining professional grade stuff, muahahahahaha ;Smuggrin

 

[Brew12]

I read on a couple diy forums that people were using weld on 40 acrylic cement. They said thats what the pros were using and it looks like its still available. Is that the stuff you were talking about or is there another type of cement I should be looking for? I have my methods of obtaining professional grade stuff, muahahahahaha ;Smuggrin

That should work just fine.

 

[graffitireef]

That should work just fine.

Thanks once again.

 

[Jamie7907]

I haven’t had to buy any in awhile maybe 3 months but I could still get it November/December in Denver. If you’re close to Denver I can help you. Most important is edge prep, the best solvent solution in the world won’t fix poor edges. I agree with Brew12 that 1” is the minimum thickness and ONLY if braced. Tape along all your seams before joining will save you loads of finishing/polishing time.

 

[Logan A.]

The king of diy uarujoey who does all the stuff on YouTube actually has a calculator to tell you how thick it needs to be. While you can't take him at his word for everything I feel this calc is pretty accurate. Sorry I don't have when site just do a bit of searching.

 

[Elder1945 Verified Sponsor]

This is kinda a epic tank... As in the height of it is not recommended for someone who has never built a tank before.... I am assuming the measurements are 36" tall? Tanks at 30" with 1" euro on them are made from 1 1/4" this is what ATM does (tanked from tv) and they still have blown out.

I am one never to turn down a DIY challenge but at 36" its starts getting scary.. Also gluing with Weld on 40 is a whole new ball game.

This is just my opinion...