Building with acrylic

[SnoopDog]

Professional acrylic tank and sump builders, what do they use to cut the acrylic ? The reason I was asking is I have probably a year till I set up my new tank (220) so I figure I have a year of planning ahead. I currently have an acrylic sump and love it. I think I would like an even bigger one with my new tank. Just wondering if I can do it myself and what tools you need to properly cut the acrylic, I mean for it to look REAL good. I am thinking that I should be able to do it at a margin of the price and it can sit for quite a while to test leaks. If you guys think I would be better off just buying one, just say. Only thing is if I do it then I can build it just the way I want to.

 

[bowfront]

One option would be to have an acrylic shop cut the pieces for you to exact size and then you do the assembly. This way you don't have to worry about buying a special saw blade or whatever. I know they use what looks to be a standard table saw but not sure on the exact type of blade. I do know that you can craze (crack) acrylic if you aren't carefull. I'm no acrylic expert but I have dabbled with it a little. The main thing to watch for in cutting is that you get competely square edges with a clean cut.
Assembly is pretty basic using weldon or another acrylic cement but you have to watch that it is designed structurally sound to support the volume of water that you want it to hold. Acrylic can also warp with age especiallly if it's not put together strongly enough. I'm sure you could dig up complete instructions somewhere on the net if you are serious. Anyway whenever I need acrylic pieces I just go down to the shop and have them cut them for me. The little extra that you pay is money well spent IMO.
Besides you can pump them for hints while you are there.

 

[SnoopDog]

Thanks for the hints ? Now who or what is "myreef"

 

[srbayless]

Howdy,

He is a fellow member of reefs.org. Try doing a search for some posts he has started or replied to. You can find his email and website at the end of his posts.

Scott.

 

[DeathWish302]

Not to flame bowfront, but to spend the $5 cut charge at my local plastics shop would be insane. I believe if your serious about DIY acrylic projects the blade is a "must-have" investment. Most people will try to sell you a "acrylic" blade, but i've found in the past week that a blade manf. by Freud cuts as nicely as and acrylic blade if you take your time.

Also check around on acrylic prices. I always went to the local shop, until i found that it was cheaper if i actually drove the hour to US Plastics. One good source for acrylic "know-how" is myreef. He can answer some questions i couldn't begin to handle, so drop a line in the future if any assistance is needed.

DW302