Acrylic tank modification question

[mikee002]

Found this tank locally, I like everything about it except for the depth. It’s 42 inches deep. I would like it to be 30.

With minimal acrylic fabrication experience, what would the likelihood of success be, basically chopping off the bottom 12 inches, welding/gluing a new piece of acrylic to the bottom?

Decades ago, I did experiment with building an acrylic tank, it seemed like it was coming out well until I used the wrong product to clean up the finished product which damaged the acrylic so I just trashed it. Either way, definitely confident in the ability to cleanly and accurately make the cuts, more of the question about forming a good bond with the new bottom piece.

 

[reefonthecouch]

Another option would be to cut the 12in from the top? That’s why I would do.

 

[Wbailey0035]

I assume you’re cutting the bottom since it’s one piece and don’t have to deal with the overflow teeth?

 

[mikee002]

Another option would be to cut the 12in from the top? That’s why

I assume you’re cutting the bottom since it’s one piece and don’t have to deal with the overflow teeth?

Correct… that, not messing with the euro brace and mostly I would also be modifying it to a “drop-off” style, the initial question would have only been complicated by that detail.

 

[UncommonSense]

Correct… that, not messing with the euro brace and mostly I would also be modifying it to a “drop-off” style, the initial question would have only been complicated by that detail.

I think best-bet here would be asking any local plastic fabrication shops in your area if they would like to take on the job!

The bottom pane/welds are under the highest static hydraulic pressure when the tank is filled, one bubble in the wrong spot in the welds could spell disaster!

I’ve made a few watertight welds now, but nothing longer than 2ft, in a single seam! — it’s non-trivial to pull off!

If you’d like more detailed info on acrylic fabrication, check out this fantastic Q&A by turbo’s aquatics:

Acrylic Fabrication Q & A

I am very active on a similar mega-thread elsewhere but I couldn't find an active one here on R2R. @Troylee started the Acrylic 101!!!!! thread a while back, but it doesn't look like he's very active here anymore. Maybe this thread will suck him back in, he has great advice. SHORT CUT LIST...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[mikee002]

Correct… that, not messing with the euro brace and mostly I would also be modifying it to a “drop-off” style, the initial question would have only been complicated by that detail.

I think best-bet here would be asking any local plastic fabrication shops in your area if they would like to take on the job!

The bottom pane/welds are under the highest static hydraulic pressure when the tank is filled, one bubble in the wrong spot in the welds could spell disaster!

I’ve made a few watertight welds now, but nothing longer than 2ft, in a single seam! — it’s non-trivial to pull off!

If you’d like more detailed info on acrylic fabrication, check out this fantastic Q&A by turbo’s aquatics:

Acrylic Fabrication Q & A

I am very active on a similar mega-thread elsewhere but I couldn't find an active one here on R2R. @Troylee started the Acrylic 101!!!!! thread a while back, but it doesn't look like he's very active here anymore. Maybe this thread will suck him back in, he has great advice. SHORT CUT LIST...

www.reef2reef.com

As always, your advice is solid… and full of common sense!!

 

[Freenow54]

Found this tank locally, I like everything about it except for the depth. It’s 42 inches deep. I would like it to be 30.

With minimal acrylic fabrication experience, what would the likelihood of success be, basically chopping off the bottom 12 inches, welding/gluing a new piece of acrylic to the bottom?

Decades ago, I did experiment with building an acrylic tank, it seemed like it was coming out well until I used the wrong product to clean up the finished product which damaged the acrylic so I just trashed it. Either way, definitely confident in the ability to cleanly and accurately make the cuts, more of the question about forming a good bond with the new bottom piece.

I have been doing research about this to do baffles in my sump. I personally have had bad experience using glue maybe because I heated the pieces and bent them , and somehow changed the chemical structure of it . I don't know. I was warned about trying to silicon it as well . I found a video where a guy tried about 6- 8 different kinds they all were garbage except Gorilla

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Found this tank locally, I like everything about it except for the depth. It’s 42 inches deep. I would like it to be 30.

With minimal acrylic fabrication experience, what would the likelihood of success be, basically chopping off the bottom 12 inches, welding/gluing a new piece of acrylic to the bottom?

Decades ago, I did experiment with building an acrylic tank, it seemed like it was coming out well until I used the wrong product to clean up the finished product which damaged the acrylic so I just trashed it. Either way, definitely confident in the ability to cleanly and accurately make the cuts, more of the question about forming a good bond with the new bottom piece.

I, too, have seen this one on Marketplace. It's been listed for a while now.