acrylic work

poolguy1 · 11-05-2006, 09:04 AM

Hi I need some info or help on a new 75g acrylic tank. I want to drill the back and add an overflow that goes horizontality along the back. Is it possible to use acrylic cement or solvent to do this. I've been told that because acrylic bows that the seam won't hold.
thanks

TDEVIL · 11-05-2006, 11:01 AM

as long as you use the right thickness the acrylic wont bow at all

a lot of reefers use a coast-to-coast overflow. the thickness would be 1/4" min, 3/8" would be better. make sure the cuts are as clean as possible and no jaged edges, this will help to make a better bond w/ the cement. the cement i use is weldon # 4 for the clean cuts and weldon #16 for the cuts that arnt that great. # 16 is thicker so it helps to fill the small gaps. you can also use #3 for the clean cuts, but there is less time to work w/ it (fast drying)

HTH

Jay

TDEVIL · 11-05-2006, 11:10 AM

this might help a bit also
this link is from the RS knowledgebase and there is a link in the main menu at the top left side of the home page under 'learn'

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/knowled...links.php?c=79

Jay

sasquatch · 11-05-2006, 11:20 AM

in the tank or outside? Jay is on the mark for bonding, however this will be permanent, how about a sketch?? Steve

billyr98 · 11-05-2006, 11:59 AM

another very imformative site for doing acrylic and DIY stuff is this...

http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

poolguy1 · 11-05-2006, 12:05 PM

Thanks for all the info. I can order my tank now that I know it's possible. I really didn't want to go with a drilled bottom and corner overflows or one big one in the center. I'm in the pool biz so I know all about the skimming action you will get with a coast to coast set-up.
I'll let everyone know how it turns out.
Joe

11-05-2006, 09:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
poolguy1 Tunicate Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 5 View Gallery Karma Komment	acrylic work Hi I need some info or help on a new 75g acrylic tank. I want to drill the back and add an overflow that goes horizontality along the back. Is it possible to use acrylic cement or solvent to do this. I've been told that because acrylic bows that the seam won't hold. thanks

11-05-2006, 11:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
TDEVIL Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marion, INDIANA Posts: 1,170 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: acrylic work as long as you use the right thickness the acrylic wont bow at all a lot of reefers use a coast-to-coast overflow. the thickness would be 1/4" min, 3/8" would be better. make sure the cuts are as clean as possible and no jaged edges, this will help to make a better bond w/ the cement. the cement i use is weldon # 4 for the clean cuts and weldon #16 for the cuts that arnt that great. # 16 is thicker so it helps to fill the small gaps. you can also use #3 for the clean cuts, but there is less time to work w/ it (fast drying) HTH Jay

11-05-2006, 11:10 AM	#3 (permalink)
TDEVIL Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marion, INDIANA Posts: 1,170 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: acrylic work this might help a bit also this link is from the RS knowledgebase and there is a link in the main menu at the top left side of the home page under 'learn' http://www.reefsanctuary.com/knowled...links.php?c=79 Jay

11-05-2006, 11:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,917 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: acrylic work in the tank or outside? Jay is on the mark for bonding, however this will be permanent, how about a sketch?? Steve

11-05-2006, 11:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
billyr98 Reefing Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 5,399 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: acrylic work another very imformative site for doing acrylic and DIY stuff is this... http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html __________________ Billyr98 -=NJRC Treasurer=- My 450g Reef Tank ~~~ Its HERE!!!

11-05-2006, 12:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
poolguy1 Tunicate Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 5 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: acrylic work Thanks for all the info. I can order my tank now that I know it's possible. I really didn't want to go with a drilled bottom and corner overflows or one big one in the center. I'm in the pool biz so I know all about the skimming action you will get with a coast to coast set-up. I'll let everyone know how it turns out. Joe

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