Looking for acrylic tube source

[slogan315]

Anyone have recommendations for where to source acrylic tubes? Looking to diy some reactors for myself like what you see commercially available from geo and avast marine.

Can’t seem to find a place to buy a few 3-5” diameter acrylic tubes for less than $100’s a piece. Surely there is a cheaper source for the small time diy’er.

 

[KrisReef]

Anyone have recommendations for where to source acrylic tubes? Looking to diy some reactors for myself like what you see commercially available from geo and avast marine.

Can’t seem to find a place to buy a few 3-5” diameter acrylic tubes for less than $100’s a piece. Surely there is a cheaper source for the small time diy’er.

Acrylic tubing is expensive. Sometimes I see it for cheap at the local plastics stores but it’s hit or miss if they have scraps.

Can you use pvc, it’s not see through but it is more affordable.

The other option would be to find used skimmers or reactors and use the materials in them.

 

[slogan315]

Acrylic tubing is expensive. Sometimes I see it for cheap at the local plastics stores but it’s hit or miss if they have scraps.

Can you use pvc, it’s not see through but it is more affordable.

The other option would be to find used skimmers or reactors and use the materials in them.

I was hoping I was just looking in the wrong places and that it wasn’t that expensive everywhere. Unfortunately I do need clear, so scrap or used gear might be the move.

Thanks for the input!

 

[theatrus]

I've sometimes seen Polycarbonate (e.g. Lexan) in tubes cheaper than acrylic. But not much cheaper (maybe $70 vs $100/ft for 6in, $40 vs $80 in 4").

https://www.mcmaster.com/8585K55/

 

[Rockit]

https://www.tapplastics.comthey stock up to 5 or 6" diameter. I got some 4"- .250 for about $25 for a 20" length.
Local to me so I just go in, but I know they ship a lot too.

 

[Jamie814]

Tried eBay or amazon?

 

[theatrus]

https://www.tapplastics.comthey stock up to 5 or 6" diameter. I got some 4"- .250 for about $25 for a 20" length.
Local to me so I just go in, but I know they ship a lot too.

Forgot about TAP. If there is a local store near by, they also routinely have cheap offcuts. And they’ll happily do however much of the fabrication you want for you.

My 15 year old acrylic sump cut by a local TAP store is doing great :)

 

[slogan315]

https://www.tapplastics.comthey stock up to 5 or 6" diameter. I got some 4"- .250 for about $25 for a 20" length.
Local to me so I just go in, but I know they ship a lot too.

I do see 5”-1/8 thick 6ft for around $136. Better than others I’ve found. They aren’t local to me, but I hopefully have something similar local.

Any thoughts on cast vs extruded when it comes to tubes for reactors?

 

[theatrus]

Any thoughts on cast vs extruded when it comes to tubes for reactors?

Whatever is cheaper - which will probably be extruded.

 

[Cajun86]

Anyone have recommendations for where to source acrylic tubes? Looking to diy some reactors for myself like what you see commercially available from geo and avast marine.

Can’t seem to find a place to buy a few 3-5” diameter acrylic tubes for less than $100’s a piece. Surely there is a cheaper source for the small time diy’er.

PM me, i just might have what you are looking for

 

[jerricolaboy]

Geetery Clear PC Pipe Long Polycarbonate Round Rigid Plastic Tubing Unbreakable Plastic Tube Clear Tube for Dust Collection Hose Fittings (6 x 36 Inch) https://a.co/d/9qeW19p

 

[Cajun86]

I have some leftover, like around 10ish feet of 3"x 1/8" wall extruded acrylic.

 

[Rockit]

Any thoughts on cast vs extruded when it comes to tubes for reactors?

I think they're fairly interchangeable. My use was a bit different....

 

[slogan315]

I think they're fairly interchangeable. My use was a bit different....

Yea wouldn’t want that to crack! Super cool