40G Acrylic Tank Build

psyduckie · Feb 3, 2022

Hello!

Wasn’t sure where to post my question. I just got into the hobby. Decided to save some money and build an acrylic
tank.

My tank is 36x24x12 (lwh). Sides are 3/8” and bottom is 1/4” thick.I have attached some pics as well. Before I add water and start cycling, I was wondering if anyone has any experience building acrylic tanks. I wanted to know if one brace across the top of my tank is enough to prevent it from bowing. I’ve read stories of acrylic tanks warping.

Please share pics of your build as well. I would love to see it.

lapin · Feb 3, 2022

Was posted 2 x in different places
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/40-gallon-aio-acrylic-build.890184/

Tenecor Aquariums · Feb 10, 2022

psyduckie said:
Hello!

Wasn’t sure where to post my question. I just got into the hobby. Decided to save some money and build an acrylic
tank.

My tank is 36x24x12 (lwh). Sides are 3/8” and bottom is 1/4” thick.I have attached some pics as well. Before I add water and start cycling, I was wondering if anyone has any experience building acrylic tanks. I wanted to know if one brace across the top of my tank is enough to prevent it from bowing. I’ve read stories of acrylic tanks warping.

Please share pics of your build as well. I would love to see it.

Your build will need a full perimeter top. What you have so far is not going to work out too well. Without a full top your tank will bow to the point of keeping you awake at night. I also noticed your corner detail is "reversed". That is, you joined the sides to the front and back rather than joining the front and back to the sides. You probably did this to get good seams on your coast to coast. You should come work with us.

psyduckie · Feb 11, 2022

Tenecor Aquariums said:
Your build will need a full perimeter top. What you have so far is not going to work out too well. Without a full top your tank will bow to the point of keeping you awake at night. I also noticed your corner detail is "reversed". That is, you joined the sides to the front and back rather than joining the front and back to the sides. You probably did this to get good seams on your coast to coast. You should come work with us.

Yikes. I hope it will hold up. I’ve been cycling the tank for about a week now.