1/4" patch ok on a 24" tall tank?

[doughpat]

Hello all--

I've got 3 1.5" holes to patch on the bottom of an old 230 gallon tank (24" tall). I've only got 1/4" acrylic lying around. Can i use this thinner grade for the repair? I was thinking about stacking three pieces to total 3/4" for additional strength, perhaps using a "pyramid" type stacking arrangement with each piece slightly smaller than the one below it.

Thanks-
Ryan Lenz

 

[Anonymous]

Make sure they are casted acrylic.

is the tank has 3/4 inch thick bottom? That is kind of unusually thick...

Anyway, if the middle of the patch is supported well, it should be fine. I usually cut a piece of acrylic slightly smaller than the hole and glue it to the patch. Must better that way.

 

[doughpat]

The tank is 1/2", I just figured the thicker the better. The problem with supporting it from underneath is that the stand is also drilled, right below the hole. I suppose I could patch the stand as well.

I'm not sure if my acrylic is casted. Its Acrylite 1/4" sheet, bought for $150...maybe its extruded? What would happen if it were not casted? Disaster?

Thanks for both replies--
Ryan Lenz

 

[Anonymous]

Simple question: the tank is acrylic, right?

if you can get a clean bond aka no bubbles between the two pieces it should be okay.

B

 

[doughpat]

Yep, the tank is acrylic. I've got weld on 4, so I should get a good bubble-free bond.