DIY frag tank

[thebush]

Just built a new frat tank cost around 65 bucks to build let me know what you think !
Dimensions 24x18x8
acrylic
Led reef light bought it from Amazon for 85
Reef octopus BH 200 protein skimmer for filtration

 

[joeyhatch11]

You sure silicone is going to hold that together? Why not acrylic glue?

 

[Qcreefing]

+1 Joey

 

[YodaHart]

Please don't put water in this aquarium. Silicone will not hold it together long term. You need to use weld-on. I would also use 1/4" cell cast acrylic. Not sure if that acrylic will hold up.

 

[rlman41299]

^^^^^^ Don't use silicone on acrylic sheets. They won't last and your tank might break apart. Use weld-on that you can but at any hardware store or taps plastics.

 

[thebush]

I used acrylic glue before and added silicone just as a precaution I could remove the silicone whenever just incase. The acrylic glue held like a champ ! That stuff is fantastic !

 

[Reefkeepr1986]

Acrilyc weld is the best bet and permanent!! That silicone is from Home Depot even though it is 100% it will not hold!! Did you at least sand the corners that meet with the other sheet so that the Acrilyc has a rough surface to stick to? And that sheet seems too thin or you will need to add a 1-2inch border around the top or it will bow!! Hope that helps?

 

[Reefkeepr1986]

Acrilyc weld is the best bet and permanent!! That silicone is from Home Depot even though it is 100% it will not hold!! Did you at least sand the corners that meet with the other sheet so that the silicone has a rough surface to stick to the acrylic? And that sheet seems too thin or you will need to add a 1-2inch border around the top or it will bow!! Hope that helps?

 

[Rob&Gab]

I don't think he put the silicone on yet. It looks like there is a type of glue In The back round


Looks nice I would use a 1" euro Brace tho. GOODLUCK. Can't wait I see it set up!

 

[thebush]

Yes I did glue it with acrylic welding solution !

I did put the silicone in just in case ! I tested without the silicone with water in it held great just wanted to make sure ! The bonding agent is really strong! Would defiantly recommend to anyone building a tank ! Will post when all finished !

 

[Rob&Gab]

Yeay! I knew I saw glue Lol.!


But because the sheets are so thin. It might bow over time.

 

[DFW]

Plus, it says, "mold free" on that tube, so it has mold inhibitors added to the silicone, which is recommended against use in an aquarium.

 

[icereefer]

I Use Weld-on 3 or 4 for all my butt joints, weld-on 13 for area's that don't have quite a tight fit, and Optix over time like mentioned your pieces are pretty thin and with the water movement you'll have in there you have a good chance of getting spider cracks in your butt joints over time. Acrylic butt joints should never be glued or use adhesive , you need to bond the 2 materials together using solvents. and yeah ditch the mold free silicone.

 

[baadbay]

i see every 1 saying abut his glue but i don't see any 1 saying about his chose of acrylic

 

[grumpy-crab]

This type of acrylic will not hold the weight of the water. Its is very brittle and only meant for storm windows. You need lexan also 1/4" minimum and have what's called a euro brace or go thicker to do away with the brace. Also the silicone you chose will not work because of the mold inhibitors build into it which will kill your corals and all the good bacteria your tank needs to survive.

You need to scrap this whole set up and do it properly. I'm not trying to be mean I'm just trying to help u and what live stock u will harm with this.

 

[icereefer]

For a frag tank his choice is fine it will work because most frag tank view from above, but it will cloud up easier, I prefer Cell Cast Acrylic on my tank builds.

 

[DFW]

.220 inch acrylic is very nearly 1/4 inch - .250!

 

[Bigmatt]

see where it says mold free product protection, that will leech chemicals into the water that will kill everything

 

[McAllyn]

see where it says mold free product protection, that will leech chemicals into the water that will kill everything

+1 Ask me how I know this to be true... I refer to the event as the "Coralcide." Used the exact same stuff pictured except clear.

Mac