Need to build this tank soon!!!

[Fabricate my tank]

Hi, I am a acrylic plastics fabricator, although i have worked with acrylic for 20 plus years, i have never built an aquarium. Question: can i use 3/8 in thick acrylic or do i need 1/2 inch thick acrylic. the tank measurements are 36 in. wide by 18 in. deep by 16 in.high. This is a 40 gallon tank. I need to build this tank soon!!!

Thanks Michael

 

[Ryan115]

I've never built an acrylic tank, just thought about it.
But I have found these.
http://www.garf.org/tank/BuildTank.asp
http://diyfishkeepers.com/AcrylicThicknessCalculator.htm
Others may be able to comment more on it's accuracy

 

[acrylics]

3/8" should be fine in terms of structure. The tank will need a top perimeter flange though. Thicker material allows for narrower top flanges as well as less deflection.
With 3/8" I'd use a 3" perimeter flange yielding a single 30 x 12" opening.
With 1/2" you can reduce the flange up to about 1" so the thinnest I'd make the flange is 2" yielding a single top opening measuring 32 x 14"

Also, make sure you use a decent acrylic like Plex G or Polycast :)

HTH,
James

 

[Ranjib]

This thread has lots of great tips on acrylic fabrication, particularly for sump/aquariums: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/acrylic-fabrication-q-a.224773/