Cell Cast Acrylic in Atlanta?

[danh]

I think I'm going to make my next tank. Probably 72x30x20 or so. I've seen some of you have purchased acrylic from suppliers around before so I'd like to know my local options. I'll probably have them cut it too.

Thoughts on extruded vs cell cast? I'll probably Euro brace. I need a peninsula so one piece is black and I'll need some smaller pieces for an overflow box.

 

[danh]

Professional Plastics online ordering shows $658 for .5" cell cast with 5 pieces. 72x30, 2x 72x20, 29x20 and 29x20 black.

 

[Adam]

http://calsakplastics.com">http://calsakplastics.com</a> is where I got mine. They can cut how ever you want. Don't even consider extruded for a tank or sump. Baffles maybe but that's it.

Also look up Grant (ghbrewer). He does some acrylic work in his free time. He should be able give you the name of a company on your side of town and possibly some pointers too.

 

[raz0945]

We have used Calsak 3 times with very good results. They will cut to your measurements so make sure they are right!:yes:

 

[grouper therapy]

Curbell plastics in Lithia Springs has a good price and will cnc parts. Definitely cell cast.

Have you ever worked with acrylic?

I am a big supporter of DIY endeavors and have built numerous sumps but I will let the experts tackle that size tank.

 

[danh]

I built a sump. With the right edges I'm not hesitating to build 150g.

 

[ghbrewer]

Calsak has the best prices, as they sell Chinese made acrylic. With a display though, you should look for a higher quality acrylic. Try to find a supplier that sells Arkema (Plexiglass) Plex-G or GP cell cast sheets. This stuff is much better than the Chinese stuff found more easily. You will appreciate it when you go to weld the edges, and just working with it in general. Also, be sure that you get a rather new batch of solvent, as it does have a pretty short shelf life.


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[ghbrewer]

DO NOT USE EXTRUDED!


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[danh]

My solvent is a month old. I can get more.

 

[ghbrewer]

If you are serious about building your own acrylic tank, then I would suggest reading this thread on R2R:

http://www.reef2reef.com/threads/acrylic-fabrication-q-a.224773/">http://www.reef2reef.com/threads/acrylic-fabrication-q-a.224773/</a>

This is one of the best threads that I have seen on acrylic fabrication, and there is a lot of really good information on the subject from guys that do some really good work. It is mainly centered around constructing sumps and things like that, but the same fundamentals can be applied to tank construction.

 

[dball711]

ghbrewer;1090451 wrote: if you are serious about building your own acrylic tank, then i would suggest reading this thread on r2r:

http://www.reef2reef.com/threads/acrylic-fabrication-q-a.224773/">http://www.reef2reef.com/threads/acrylic-fabrication-q-a.224773/</a>

this is one of the best threads that i have seen on acrylic fabrication, and there is a lot of really good information on the subject from guys that do some really good work. It is mainly centered around constructing sumps and things like that, but the same fundamentals can be applied to tank construction.[/QUOTE]

+1

 

[danh]

My thoughts on .5" thick and Euro bracing should work fine. Good to know the width of the braces I Should use though. Maybe I should go to 1" and go fully braceless. Maybe not lol.

So my own cuts on 1/4" acrylic (Idk the brand or even if it's extruded or cast) using a level clamped to down as a straight edge and a Ryobi battery operated circular saw and only one of those cuts didn't line up well. I didn't even finish the edges, I just used those cuts. 5 sides would have held water for a time at least just fine with just the capillary weldon 4. The baffles I got a little impatient and frustrated with cutting correctly, so I needed the 12 as well... so I went ahead and reinforced it all with 12 all around and put a lot of small extra braces inside.

I have zero concern with it. I think I made it 26x20 with the water no more than 10" high. I feel like straight and accurately cut and treated edges with pin method on .5".. I'm not intimidated by that task.


Good read on types and brands too.

 

[danh]

Well my wife found a used glass tank she wants. Looks like this is going to wait. I'm kinda disappointed.

 

[grouper therapy]

Sumps do not have near the pressure on the sides that a tank that size has on it especially with the baffles supporting the sides and it running at half full. Sounds like it is irrelevant anyway.

 

[danh]

Oh I know. 1/2" acrylic, good cuts prepped edges. None of which I used for my sump lol.