Looking to switch over to an Acrylic Tank

[Clown guru]

Acrylic does have many advantages vs glass
I've heard many horror story regarding glass leaking, or accidentally the glass was hit and resulted broken glass and water everywhere.

 

[marrone]

The big thing with Acrylic tank is that they do scratch a lot easier than glass, and you need to be careful when cleaning them, especially towards the bottom, as you don't want to pick up any sand. You can also scratch them with rocks, so you do need to be more careful if you have one. I've been using these mesh bags, which fit around the magnets, Aflie told me about them, and they're very good in not picking up the sand, plus the mesh isn't completely flat around the acrylic panel as it the case when you use the pads on the magnets, so if a piece of sand is caught in it, it's less likely to scratch the panel.

The weight issue and leaking, especially living in the city, was one of the major reasons that I went with acrylic on my large fish tanks, as I didn't want to have any issues with the tanks leaking.

 

[Dk638]

I have the same dimension acrylic tank and I love it. Scratches can be fixed. The difference is though my tank is 1 inch thick acrylic and just 4inch euro bracing around the top so I have easy access. The one your looking at looks thin. If you have small children like I do I think acrylic is the way to go. My worst fear with the glass was a toy or ball smashing the glass and then disaster.

 

[vder]

Well I will be going with an acrylic tank this time around. I like the tank dimensions fits great where I want it to go. A suggestion was made to cut the top openings larger. First what do I cut the acrylic with? My second concern would be am I sacrificing the integrity of the tank by making the openings larger?

 

[Dk638]

I wouldn't do that, definite integrity issue

 

[albano]

Well I will be going with an acrylic tank this time around. I like the tank dimensions fits great where I want it to go. A suggestion was made to cut the top openings larger. First what do I cut the acrylic with? My second concern would be am I sacrificing the integrity of the tank by making the openings larger?

Acrylic must be cut the 'right way' with the 'right equipment' or you will have problems... If you expand the opening, the corners must be rounded or you get stress cracks.
Are you sure that the off center overflow won't bother you? Based on the pics, it appears that you have less than 9" in front of it, so it will be very hard to build up rockwork to hide it...if it was my tank, I'd cut the overflow out, cap the bottom holes, and add a corner overflow in the back.
Maybe you should contact the new Max Reefs (Aquarium Tropical Fish) and get the price of a custom made acrylic tank, built right there in the Bronx... or ask if they will mod that other tank for you.

 

[masterswimmer]

Well I will be going with an acrylic tank this time around. I like the tank dimensions fits great where I want it to go. A suggestion was made to cut the top openings larger. First what do I cut the acrylic with? My second concern would be am I sacrificing the integrity of the tank by making the openings larger?

Best of luck with the new tank. I'm sure it will be beautiful. Please start a new tank thread when you get it going......and don't forget to keep it updated to let us know your success, long term (2+ years).

At least you went into the acrylic tank as an educated consumer. No one to blame but yourself

 

[pecan2phat]

At least make sure the thickness is appropriate for the sized tank.
Alfie would know better then me what thickness it should be at a minimum.
I personally would have 3/4" for that tank. I've seen a whole lot of serious bowing on Tenacor tanks.

 

[vder]

Going to check out the tank tomorrow. My main concern will be the thickness of the acrylic used in the construction. The second will be the top and the openings. I will be sure to test how difficult or easy it will be to get to the top front of the glass.

Where the overflow doesn't bother me that much my only concern is will be enough to properly skim and turn over the tank. The holes in the overflow are 1.5 and 1/75 inches. Any thoughts on the operation of the overflow? TIA

 

[albano]

...The holes in the overflow are 1.5 and 1/75 inches. Any thoughts on the operation of the overflow? TIA

The big one is the drain, the smaller is the return... My advice would be to have another hole drilled as an emergency drain

 

[vder]

Tank is 3/8 all around. The manufacturer claims this is an industry standard.

 

[albano]

It appears that you really want this tank, no matter what!... So tell us...how much is it?

 

[vder]

The tank is 500 dollar's. I just found out today its 3/8 thicknesses. That seems thin to me.

 

[albano]

For a 60" long tank, it seems thin to me also.

I can't speak for them, but I think a similar tank built by ATF (Max Reefs) would only be a few hundred more.

 

[vder]

Thanks for all the information it is appreciated. In the end after checking recommended thickness calculators for a tank of this size it is not worth it to me good buy or not.

 

[vio]

i found this in internet.......

The article also explains that acrylic tanks are 17 times stronger than glass, softer and more flexible, making them highly impact resistant. Anyone who has ever bumped against a glass aquarium or its stand will certainly appreciate this! Bumping into them is a surefire way to weaken silicone seams and risk leaking.

Acrylic also weighs 50% less than glass, making it more portable. As many of us have experienced, even empty glass aquariums can be quite heavy to tote.

Acrylic insulates 20% better than glass, reducing temperature fluctuations and saving on heating and chiller bills.

One of the nicest advantages is that acrylic has a transparancy rating of 93%, which is as clear as optical glass. In fact, acrylic passes the most light of any known material.

The best type of acrylic for aquariums is domestic cell cast acrylic. Brands like Polycast, Rohm and Haas, Cyro Acrylite and Lucite all make an outstanding aquarium.

One other caveat the article gives: When searching for an acrylic tank, the top which has cutouts for filters and access should be the same thickness as the walls and bottom. I'm sure they make tops specifically for acrylic tanks that would conform to this requirement.

 

[albano]

One other caveat the article gives: When searching for an acrylic tank, the top which has cutouts for filters and access should be the same thickness as the walls and bottom. I'm sure they make tops specifically for acrylic tanks that would conform to this requirement.

The tops are part of the aquarium when it's built... It's not something that you add on later.

 

[vio]

I think "they" refer before u order, what kind (holes) options may like, the over flow box, location etc.

 

[vder]

Thanks for the information.

 

[vio]

Thanks for the information.

Pm your cell # if u like, i will sand a Video about my 220 Gal. Acrylic, 6 months old. Vio