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:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/acrylic-fabrication-q-a.224773/

 

[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:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/acrylic-fabrication-q-a.224773/

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.