Is Acrylic Thickness The Same As Glass For Pumps?

Goneaway562 · May 3, 2021

Hi all,

So I have been looking at adding a frag tank to my display and it would be a 3/4in thick Advanced Acrylics. My question is I have a Red Sea Reefwave 25 pump rated for 5/8in glass thickness, would it work on the acrylic tank? If not, I'll continue searching for a 20" x 20" x 12" tank with external overflow.

Thanks!

Biokabe · May 3, 2021

The thickness ratings have to do with magnetic strength for the mounts. Typically they are more than slightly cautious with those ratings, because they don't want any lawsuits from people who tried to mount something on glass that was too thick and end up damaging their tanks or their equipment when the mount isn't strong enough and the product falls.

If you want to test it before you buy, get a small piece of 3/4" acrylic off Amazon and see if the magnet is strong enough to hold through it. Acrylic that thick isn't exactly cheap, but $30 for a 12x12 sheet is cheaper than a full tank or a new pump.

ca1ore · May 3, 2021

I think the affect on magnetic coupling is the distance more than it is the material. I have noticed no difference between 3/4" glass. acrylic or even plywood.