Habitat - Indoor :: Plexiglass DIY Aquarium?

[EmilieExplocitie]

Is it possible to build a 4 foot long, 2 foot high, and 2 foot wide tank out of Plexiglass?

I want to make a giant tank to Little Rick but i just don't know if it will hold that amount of water.

Anyone have any tips?
THANKS!

[TheBean]

I don't see why not. There was a father and son on this board that built a plexi tank. It was rather thick and well braced plexi, but the tank turned out real nice.

I remember the thread from a couple months back but don't remember the poster.

[Racer_X_123]

just make sure that you use at least 1/4" think lexan or plexi. Dont forget water weighs like 9 lbs/ gallon, so the plastic will have to withstand that force on the bottom. you might be able to get away with thinner stuff on the bottom, but a simple integration problem would determine the force at the bottom on the sides of the tank.

[TheBean]

FOUND IT!

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15208

[Daniel3507]

thats not a bad idea.

[ilcapo21]

Do you just make these with good old aquarium cement. I worry about strength, i could just picture the front coming out and water pouring all over the floor, Eeekkkkk, i would be murdered where i stand!!!

[Daniel3507]

thats the same thing im worried about. in the post that TheBean mentioned it just looks like they used basic aquarium sealent.

[ilcapo21]

That worried me. I could see water all over the basement floor.

[mat012]

You could use plexi cement - IPS weld-on #3 or #4. It actually "melts" the pieces of plexi together. I couldnt find it locally - you might have to mail order.

I had a small plexi project to glue and tried Testors acrylic cement and it failed miserably. In fact a couple of different adhesives I tried marked for plastic did not work on plexiglass. Eventually I just used super glue and it worked well enough for my needs. For an aquarium tho I would definitely use weld-on.

To be honest tho - call glasscages.com - I am not sure you would save $ or get a better product for the hassle. While making my basking dock I took a piece of plexi to the glass shop to be cut - just cut. They want $60 for the cuts alone. I dont know what it would have been for the plexi too.

[EmilieExplocitie]

I saw that post before but they used real glass.
I found everything need and it comes to about 150.00
I just hate to see Dr. Rick in his tiny 10 gallon aquarium.

If I can't build it in the next month or two I'm going to have to give him to someone who can afford him :[

[Chrisbarnett]

Well you can always get a 50gal rubbermaid from walmart or target or whatever for cheap. About $15 bucks.

[EmilieExplocitie]

id rather not get a rubbermaid container.
id rather be able to enjoy him and i kind of think that those containers are for people who didn't realize the expense of a turtle but are too lazy to fix it.
and hes to social for that.

[mat012]

Check out glass cages just for pics that might help in the design. They use something called eurobracing on their acrylic tanks. Not sure what it is but you might want to check into it. $150 is a good price. Much cheaper than either glass or acrylic at that size. Make sure the acrylic sheets are thick enough tho. The only difference in construction between the glass and the acrylic would be the adhesive. Otherwise I would image the process is the same.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[Chrisbarnett]

Yeah definitely make sure you get the right thickness of acrylic. It will bow when filled with water if not the right thickness.