Hey,

So I have been looking into the construction of a massive CMU (cinder block) and acrylic tank. More like a zoo exhibit than a fish tank.... Anyway, Acrylic prices are nuts and I already have these 3 tanks.
http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=100&pictureid=546

They are all 550 gal. The twins are 6x4x3h with 3/4" acrylic, the other is 8x3x3h with 1" acrylic. My thoughts so far:

1. If I used an awesome router and a guide, I imagine I could get a really nice pile of acrylic to work with.
2. The panes will be MUCH EASIER to polish out (NOVUS) in a comfortable position. Polishing these from inside is a major PITA.
3. Pricing acrylic sheets at Glass cages made me consider using what I already have.
4. These tanks aren't exactly for everyone, and I've had no luck with reasonable offers. Not to mention if they did sell, I'd still have to drive to TN and deal with the transport and handling of new sheets.
5. Cutting these up will likely FREAK many of you out!

Anyone have any contributions or thoughts on my project?
I'd like to know much others have priced 3/4" and 1" Lucite at and where.

San Diego Plastics just quoted me $385 for a 4x8 sheet at 3/4 and $565 for the 4x8 at 1"
Unfortunately, they are in San Diego! This price likely reflects a minimal mark up from cost.
Now I need a quote from Interstate Plastics here in Birmingham...

Cast or extruded?

San Diego Plastics just quoted me $385 for a 4x8 sheet at 3/4 and $565 for the 4x8 at 1"
Unfortunately, they are in San Diego! This price likely reflects a minimal mark up from cost.
Now I need a quote from Interstate Plastics here in Birmingham...

Call Curbell in dallas ga.
what type of solvent are you going to use?
Bring them to Dallas ga. I 'll cut them bad boys up. Got a 3.5 hp router

I'd love a tank that big but the price is crazy expensive.

Cast Acrylic. I think it becomes difficult to extrude sheets greater than .5".
All of my big tanks are cast acrylic. Thanks for the offer GT! I'll have to keep that in mind. I wont use solvent as the panes will be held in place by the water pressure and silicon. For gluing acrylic, I like Weld-On products best. I'll be building the head for my 55 gal drum skimmer soon. I will post pics of my work. Thanks ALL!

how hard is it to build a tank? How expensive?

The guys and gals at MonsterFishKeepers.com have several concrete builds available. Some are poured and cast others CMU and then poured full. I just paid 1.09 per CMU for a retaining wall around a pool I'm installing. The big ticket items are going to be epoxy (sweetwater or equivalent) the viewing panes, and the big block delivery. Then theres the silicon, mortar, rebar, hammer drill, concrete bit, stainless sheet metal for recess, beer, burgers and brats, condiments.....

The guys and gals at MonsterFishKeepers.com have several concrete builds available. Some are poured and cast others CMU and then poured full. I just paid 1.09 per CMU for a retaining wall around a pool I'm installing. The big ticket items are going to be epoxy (sweetwater or equivalent) the viewing panes, and the big block delivery. Then theres the silicon, mortar, rebar, hammer drill, concrete bit, stainless sheet metal for recess, beer, burgers and brats, condiments.....

Well if its cheaper to rent a truck n move it yourself i dont mind helping u out. I can haul anything. Maby get a small flat bed.

Thanks Nintendo!
It never ceases to amaze me, all of the willing helpers among us!
I drive a f150 and have a gooseneck ball in the bed for my draft horse trailer.
2000lb Jet black Percheron named Marley. She's so sweet! Lots of trailers I can borrow from my farmer buddy, so we wont need to rent....

Sounds like a lot of work. I just kinda want a all acrylic style tank. Big boy for the floor like a pond. I just don't know how to do it.

Thanks Nintendo!
It never ceases to amaze me, all of the willing helpers among us!
I drive a f150 and have a gooseneck ball in the bed for my draft horse trailer.
2000lb Jet black Percheron named Marley. She's so sweet! Lots of trailers I can borrow from my farmer buddy, so we wont need to rent....

Percherons are very cool... I still miss my horse sometimes. :thumbs:

anyone ever deconstructed an MR3 - the master cylinder would be a useful breakout :)

Bring them to Dallas ga. I 'll cut them bad boys up. Got a 3.5 hp router

How do you cut 3/4" acrylic with a router? Wouldn't it be easier to table saw'em first?

Dustin

How do you cut 3/4" acrylic with a router? Wouldn't it be easier to table saw'em first?

Dustin
I'm pretty sure it might be a little diffilcult to set a tank that size on a table saw. Maybe you meant circular saw? Either way a 3.5 hp router with a 1/2" shaft flush trim bit would cut through it as if it were Basswood with one pass and provide a smooth edge for glueing. I cut down a 1" thick tank once with ease.

Yup! The router is the preferred means of cutting thick plastic.
This aint no little roto-zip were talking about here!
The big ones will physically try to torque your body around when they crank up!
Have to hold on TIGHT!
Using a guide makes for perfect cuts...

Yup! The router is the preferred means of cutting thick plastic.
This aint no little roto-zip were talking about here!
The big ones will physically try to torque your body around when they crank up!
Have to hold on TIGHT!
Using a guide makes for perfect cuts...

I have a 3-1/4hp router, so I know what you mean.....but it still seems like it would be easier to use a straightedge and a circular saw with the proper blade to make the rough cut, then use the router to clean up the edge.

That being said, I've never cut acrylic, so I'm just flapping my gums here :)

Dustin

A saw blade ripps. Even a plastic blade with small teeth scars or rips material away. This can make for chipping, and worse yet, lots of heat.

Not all saw blades are rip blades. Plastic cutting blades are never rip blades.

Ever touched a router bit after making a cut?

The main thing to remember when selecting a blade for cutting cast acrylic is to choose one with a triple chip grind and not the abt grind. try to find a thin kerf if possible.