how to cut acrylic - Aquarium Advice

son2fu · 01-24-2007, 01:52 AM

i recently purchased a new bio wheel filter 150, it is 8 inches long and the hole at the top of my tank has only 7 inches to spare, how can i make it longer? can i cut it somehow?

dskidmore · 01-24-2007, 10:29 AM

Acrylic isn't hard to cut. Put some masking tape on both sides of the plastic, and use normal wood cutting tools on it. The tape keeps it from chipping and scratching.

Be careful though about cutting into the bracing on your tank, some of that is structural. Might get another piece of acryllic to strengthen the area around the cutout. Find out exactly what kind of acryllic the tank is and match it, and use the glue for that kind of acryllic.

son2fu · 01-24-2007, 08:38 PM

will i have a super hard time if my tank is already up and running, and the hole being cut is in the back?

**Zagz** · 01-24-2007, 08:58 PM

Is the top removable? On the tank it will be extremely difficult to not drop acrylic particles into the water. If it is removable then dskidmore is right. I use a jigsaw to cut mine.

dskidmore · 01-24-2007, 09:13 PM

Is this a freshwater or saltwater tank?

I don't think the acryllic dust will hurt anything, I'd be more worried about tools and residue on tools coming in contact with the water.

**Zagz** · 01-24-2007, 09:32 PM

My fish would probably try and eat the acrylic particles. LOL, I swear they will eat anything. You could lower the water level if the main concern was the residue or the tool coming in contact with the water.

tropicalfish · 01-24-2007, 10:14 PM

Also, you could get a piece of tarp, pond liner, plastic, something, and place it under the cutting area.

redswi · 01-24-2007, 10:33 PM

Quote:

I use a jigsaw to cut mine.

with the tank up and running a jig saw might shake the h--l out of your fish...I would lower the water, and cover...then use a router , or dremmel tool to cut...the dremmel will give you a clean cut , and wont shake the tank so bad.

**Zagz** · 01-24-2007, 10:40 PM

I do mine with the top off. I should have clarified that.

son2fu · 01-25-2007, 12:43 AM

no, sadly, the top isnt removable... it is freshwater tank a truvu brand acrylic 26 gallon. how long would it take for a dremmel to cut it? about 2 inches?

01-24-2007, 01:52 AM	#1
son2fu Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 68	how to cut acrylic i recently purchased a new bio wheel filter 150, it is 8 inches long and the hole at the top of my tank has only 7 inches to spare, how can i make it longer? can i cut it somehow?

01-24-2007, 10:29 AM	#2
dskidmore Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Genesee Valley Posts: 2,290 Images: 1	Acrylic isn't hard to cut. Put some masking tape on both sides of the plastic, and use normal wood cutting tools on it. The tape keeps it from chipping and scratching. Be careful though about cutting into the bracing on your tank, some of that is structural. Might get another piece of acryllic to strengthen the area around the cutout. Find out exactly what kind of acryllic the tank is and match it, and use the glue for that kind of acryllic. __________________ 75 gallon freshwater Baby shrimp sighted! 2.5 Gallon unpowered freshwater now with high light 0.25 gallon palmtop doomed to an unlit end?

01-24-2007, 09:13 PM	#5
dskidmore Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Genesee Valley Posts: 2,290 Images: 1	Is this a freshwater or saltwater tank? I don't think the acryllic dust will hurt anything, I'd be more worried about tools and residue on tools coming in contact with the water. __________________ 75 gallon freshwater Baby shrimp sighted! 2.5 Gallon unpowered freshwater now with high light 0.25 gallon palmtop doomed to an unlit end?

01-24-2007, 10:14 PM	#7
tropicalfish Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 325	Also, you could get a piece of tarp, pond liner, plastic, something, and place it under the cutting area. __________________ --- 75 Gallon Rena FilStar xP3, Aquarium Systems Visi-Therm 200W (2), Coralife 48" Aqualight 260W 6700K --- 10 Gallon Hexagon Hagen AquaClear 30, Visi-Therm Deluxe 50, DIY CF 20W 6500K CF, Hagen Natural CO2 System :: Bloodfin Tetra (1), Red-eye Tetra (3), Black Skirt Tetra (3), Harlequin Rasbora (6), Platy (1), Otocinclus Catfish (1) :: Rotala Indica, Hygrophila Difformis (Wisteria), Cabomba Carolinia ---

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01-24-2007, 08:38 PM	#3
son2fu Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 68	will i have a super hard time if my tank is already up and running, and the hole being cut is in the back?

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