How high can i go with acrylic?
 

Im kinda at a loss I need to know who tall I can go with 1/2" acrylic.


Let me know.


Sean.

How tall do you want to go, and I would think that it would depend on width and length as well.

http://www.garf.org/tank/BuildTank.asp

According to this tank calculator the tallest you should go with 1/2" is 30 inches.

it depends how you build. If you have acrylic euro-bracing at the bottom and the top of the tank, I would go up to 36. Otherwise 30 is probably safe.

It depends on a few things, first off as stated length for sure as well as bracing but it's not about safety with acrylic. You could build a tank 4 feet tall with 1/2" and it would easily hold but it's the bow you have to worry about. Acrylic is softer than glass and will bow and bulge more which creates distortion. I wouldn't go any bigger than 4 feet in length and 2 feet in height using 1/2". Remember Acrylic is clear you can go as thick as you want without sacrificing clarity. Although it's stronger than glass an acrylic tank should use thicker material than a glass tank.

its would be 32" long and I would like to go 36"tall. Its being designed to fit into a specific location.

I would go thicker for sure, if it was my tank I still wouldn't go taller than 24" with that length and 1/2". Even a small amount of deflection will create distortion. Just make the viewable sides thicker, I would use 1" for that height.

I am curious, how much $$ wise do you figure you will save building it yourself? I have gotten a couple of quotes on acrylic (trimless/braceless) tanks, nothing more than 70gal and they seem to be around 700 (or a bit less, depending)..

1/2" sheet cast is $250 at least that is my cost.
3/4" sheet is $425

sheet of 1/2' 4x8 quality aqylic is $370 and im haveing it put together by industrial paint and plastics for 75 bucks. They put together anything for 75 bucks if you buy from them.