lexan vs acrylic

[the dewd]

Is it ok to use lexan for a sump? Is it better than acrylic?

 

[Len]

Yes, Lexan (a GE product) is reefsafe. Lexan is stronger and more abrasion resistent (note, not more scratch resistent!) then acrylic. It also is designed to absorb UV. For sump use, it's probably better to just go with acrylic if you intend to glue it. But nothing wrong with Lexan either.

 

[wyw]

Why doesn't someone make a tank that bonds a thin layer of glass on the inside with thick acrylic outside. That way the inside wouldn't scratch as easily, yet the tank would be lighter and more California proof? You know a hybrid tank!

 

[tinyreef]

It also is designed to absorb UV.

lexan/polycarbonate (PC) absorbs uv but it eventually yellows out (and weakens) the PC over time. so i'm not sure if it's "designed" to absorb uv. otoh, acrylic will maintain it's clarity. clarity is the main issue between acrylic and PC for our hobby imo.

strength is also a big difference but acrylic seems to be strong enough for our purposes. acrylic's chemical resistance is also usually much better than PC's but again, i don't think it applies as much in our usage.

GE does have some UV-resistant (by that i mean beyond 3-years) PC. in fact, i've tested and processed a couple of these grades for them. one grade sucks. the other has promise but is only manufactured in europe for some stupid reason. so they've had to import it from there for my tests (they've got more money than god).

still, a 5 or even 10 year uv rating is nothing compared to the indefinite ratings of acrylic and glass so i don't think PC's in the running for a materials replacement option. it's also usually much more expensive per pound than acrylic ime (about 2:1).

one thought though, black PC is very uv-stable, supposedly. i thought the PC would still come under attack (i'm not a radiation expert or chemist) but the GE engineer stated that it should perform fine (we were discussing outdoor construction applications though, not fishies).

 

[the dewd]

Well the plan is to use lexan for dividers in my 60 gallon sump. I'm trying to make an in sump refugium. The lexan is free. I need to make a sock box and then glue in 2 dividers in a "glass" 60 gallon sump. here is picture...

 

[Anonymous]

Why doesn't someone make a tank that bonds a thin layer of glass on the inside with thick acrylic outside. That way the inside wouldn't scratch as easily, yet the tank would be lighter and more California proof? You know a hybrid tank!

Because acrylic flexes different than glass

 

[justjoe]

Why doesn't someone make a tank that bonds a thin layer of glass on the inside with thick acrylic outside. That way the inside wouldn't scratch as easily, yet the tank would be lighter and more California proof? You know a hybrid tank!

In years past for the public aquarium trade some companies did try sandwiching acrylic between thin glass sheets. The problem that showed after time was the materials began to delaminate. The main reason for the problem was diagnosed that the expansion coefficients of the glass vs. the acrylic vs. glue varied. I don't believe its been tried in recent years.
Joe

 

[wyw]

Sure blow my great idea out of the water with facts and science :lol: