Hey everyone I am looking to build a small frag tank to put on my desk next to my DT. The dimensions I would like to do are 12''L x 12''W x 6''H. I need some help because I have never done something like this. If anyone has acrylic or any material I will need, I would be interested in purchasing them. And any help would be greatly appreciated.
5 posters
Frag Tank Build
MxReEfEr92- Admin
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Join date : 2012-02-21
Age : 32
Location : Simi Valley
dwolson2- Admin
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Join date : 2011-08-07
Location : Where ever I am told to go
This place has everything you need to do the build, the prices are reasonable, if not good, and they can build it for you. Just not sure on the thickness you need:
American Plastics Corporation
463 Dawson Dr, Camarillo, CA 93012
(805) 484-3333
americanplasticscorp.com
American Plastics Corporation
463 Dawson Dr, Camarillo, CA 93012
(805) 484-3333
americanplasticscorp.com
MxReEfEr92- Admin
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Join date : 2012-02-21
Age : 32
Location : Simi Valley
I kind of want to build it and learn how do do it. Is their a specific glue that is aquarium safe or is it just a regular acrylic glue?
dwolson2- Admin
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weld on 4, you can have them cut to size, so you just have to glue it.
MxReEfEr92- Admin
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Join date : 2012-02-21
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how much weld on 4 do you think I would need?
Sandman- Charter Member
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Location : Washington
You can get a small can, they are $6 in their store front.
MxReEfEr92- Admin
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sweet, what do they charge for cuts and acrylic? Anyone have an idea on how thick I should go?
MxReEfEr92- Admin
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Join date : 2012-02-21
Age : 32
Location : Simi Valley
This will also be plumed into my system so I will need to configure a cool overflow set up as well
dwolson2- Admin
- Posts : 2356
Join date : 2011-08-07
Location : Where ever I am told to go
I searched determining plexiglass thickness for a fish tank, and it came back with a few calculators, and this DIY:
http://www.duboisi.com/diy/BNdiytank/bndiytank.htm
You need to use at least 1/4" acrylic.
http://www.duboisi.com/diy/BNdiytank/bndiytank.htm
You need to use at least 1/4" acrylic.
MxReEfEr92- Admin
- Posts : 1727
Join date : 2012-02-21
Age : 32
Location : Simi Valley
thats super helpful thanks! Im sure 1/4'' is thick enough for how small it is going to be
reefkid- Posts : 54
Join date : 2012-02-20
Location : simi
go with the 3/8 the 1/4 will be hard to work with its to thin
Crusty Old Shellback- Charter Member
- Posts : 684
Join date : 2011-07-27
Location : Oxnard
A little note for you.
Acrylic works about the same as wood. You can us ethe same tools for cutting, drilling, fileing, sanding, etc. If you can work with wood, you can work with acrylic. Use a good plywood blade to cut it or you can actually but a blade made for cutting acrylic. I may still have one in my saw blade collection for my tablesaw.
About the only difference is the glue you use and that you can polish the edges with a flame from a torch. But that is a learned art. Otherwise it takes some fileing and sanding then polishing to get the polished edge. You can also heat it up and mold/bend it as well. Just don't overheat it in the oven. been there done that.
There are several different glues to use. From a watery glue that will weep into the joint to a thick glue that works almost like silicon for filling gaps. Don't try the silicone from HD that says it's for Acrylic, it dosen't work.
Acrylic works about the same as wood. You can us ethe same tools for cutting, drilling, fileing, sanding, etc. If you can work with wood, you can work with acrylic. Use a good plywood blade to cut it or you can actually but a blade made for cutting acrylic. I may still have one in my saw blade collection for my tablesaw.
About the only difference is the glue you use and that you can polish the edges with a flame from a torch. But that is a learned art. Otherwise it takes some fileing and sanding then polishing to get the polished edge. You can also heat it up and mold/bend it as well. Just don't overheat it in the oven. been there done that.
There are several different glues to use. From a watery glue that will weep into the joint to a thick glue that works almost like silicon for filling gaps. Don't try the silicone from HD that says it's for Acrylic, it dosen't work.