Recent content by Trixter

Thanks Seven. Are you saying that the width of the braces on top is more important than the thickness of the material used to make them? So let the skimmer and sump compensate for surface gas exchange then? Thats pretty clever. Want to make sure Im picking up what your putting down. It...

It's a old post but a DIY chiller is still a very relevant idea. Without getting into BTUs and heat xfer rates and tonnage ratings it is possilble to provide cooling via geothermal heat transfer. Depending on where you live consider digging a deep but narrow trench under ground, PEX tubing is...

What do you all think about using thinner stock for the top? I have some 1.25" from an old project left over and would like to use it. Maybe 1.25" for the top and 1.5" for the bottom and sides. Full tank dimensions are 120 X 36x 36. What will happen if I do this? How much front panel...

I would be reluctant to use extruded for anything subjected to much pressure. It just is not as strong as cell cast. But for your application of 16" , 1/2 extruded for all sides is what I would use if cell cast isnt available.

The manufacturer says you need to anneal if using #42, If I remember correctly it's written on the container. Yes... I've heard that you can still use it without annealing but would it be safe with this ammount of pressure? Your not fusing the two panels together the same way you would with...

It's been a few years...Looking at another similar project again. This one will be using 1.5" thick acrylic. Was wondering if anyone had any experience with #40/42. Id rather not go to the hassle of degassing the cement using a vacuum chamber so have been considering #42 with the special...

Yeah, Id like to purchase it for refrence but not for 195 bucks. Always thought that strange how textbooks can cost so much when the subjects havent changed in 100s of years. Thanks for the links.

Hey James, I finally got a copy of "The handbook of acrylics for submersibles, hyperbaric chambers and aquaria" have it on temp loan from the library of congress. This book is phenominally well written and addresses all sorts of acrylic charictaristics. Probably why the price is so expensive, Im...

Thanks for the great info, I read it twice. Never even considered that the solvent would cause some sink and the pins would sink into it. Or that fingerprints could cause flow issues. I plan on using 20 guage hypedermic needles to keep both peices seperated and something between 16-18 guage...

Know what you mean James. Im going to practice mixing a little glacial acetic acid (if I can get it) outside this weekend and cement a couple of scrap peices together to see how it turns out. This is interesting stuff. I wonder if the Scripps institute would be worth checking out down here. I...

Thanks James, I read that from an old Acrylicman post years ago. One of the Chemistry guys around here said its similar to the acid found in vinegar. Even heard someone say to add a very small amount of #16 to #4 to slow #4 down. Im staying away from #16 for this job. Its hard to believe...

Thanks James Im going to see if I cant find some of the glacial acetic acid around here. Im hoping that it will slow the cure time down enough to allow me to complete the seams properly. After everything has dried, would it be wise to go over the inside seams with a bead of #16 to be...

Was going to mix some Weld on #5 with #4 to slow down the cure time allowing me to complete long panels and remove the wire before it sets. Ready to practice now with smaller peices but cant find the #5 anywhere so I read a few older posts that glacial acetic acid could be mixed in low...

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CareyMarie Carie are you still considering the construction of this tank. James is very knowledgeable. My situation is almost identical to yours. Im building the tank on site. The dimensions are 120 X 24 X 36. Im building it from acrylic on site because it will not fit down my staircase...