DIY acrylic tank

[nodoubt471]

hello all!!

im hopeing someone here has more experience with building with acrylic than i have. been doing my reseach and here is my plan so far:

i know its small, should be around 1.2 g of water when all is said and done. i plan on using 1/8 in acrylic since the tank is so small. the debate is on what # weld on to use. i hear use 4 if your edges are smooth (routed? cut on a bias? not clear here) and 16 if they arent since it is thicker. what do you guys think?

for the tank i plan on using a rio mini pump in the back right compartment. im going for very simple, with a coralife 2x9w PC, 1 actinic 1 10000k daylight. that will give me a lot of watts/gallon- aprox. 9+ w/g.

any opinions or comments welcome. TIA!

 

[effin]

I've used Weld-on #4 for pieces which were cut with a carbide-tipped blade on a radial arm saw. Make sure you scrape along the edges with the back of a hacksaw blade before glueing. Check out this link: http://home.earthlink.net/~kenuy/acrylic1.htm

 

[beefcake]

you could also heat it and bend it, kinda tricky though

 

[sumphead]

Check out my AA DIY thread here: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=30257&highlight=

I haven't updated it lately but it should provide helpful. I think I touched breifly on the different types of solvents but if I not I'd be happy to add on. I would have to recommend 1/4" if you have little experience with acrylic. 1/8" can be tricky though should still work just fine. You shouldn't need a total of 4" in the back for a small pump depending on it's orientation. I can give you a few drawings on some of mine if you like. If you need any other help just let me know I'd be gald to help.

HTH,
R-

 

[nodoubt471]

thanks for the responses guys!

im not opposed to using 1/4" if you think it would be better for a beginner such as myself. and thanks for that link, it was very helpful esp w/ the step by step pics. how much space do you think i should allow for the pump? its dimensions are 1-1/2" x 2" x 2" tall, do you think that perhaps 2.5 or 3" would be better?

thanks again

 

[sumphead]

If you orentate it sideways like this and attach it using a vinyl tube through a small bulkhead type attachment you could go as far down as 2" and still have play room while maximizing your display area. like this:

 

[sumphead]

From the front:

 

[nodoubt471]

thats a great idea sumphead, i think i will go with the 2 inches in the sump, as i want it to be as compact as possible. thanks for all the input! ill be sure to post pics as soon as i get it started!

 

[sumphead]

No propblem at all, keep us posted and don't hesitate to ask anything. I am happy to help where I can.

R-

 

[sumphead]

Well, Kate??? I am waiting for an update

R-