Type of acrylic

[reefsquared]

can I used any type of acrylic for an overflow cover or do I need to use a certain type?

 

[cromag27]

You can use any type, but acrylic will warp and you'll have to keep flipping it over.

 

[jeff williams]

You can use any type, but acrylic will warp and you'll have to keep flipping it over.

+1 acrylic for a lid is a pain in the butt. Cell cast is what's usually used for aquariums. Extruded is a little cheaper and Lexon is more expensive bit is way more scratch resistant than the others and way tougher

 

[cromag27]

lexan is a band name of polycarbonate. polycarbonate is way MORE prone to scratching than acrylic.

+1 acrylic for a lid is a pain in the butt. Cell cast is what's usually used for aquariums. Extruded is a little cheaper and Lexon is more expensive bit is way more scratch resistant than the others and way tougher

 

[jeff williams]

lexan is a band name of polycarbonate. polycarbonate is way MORE prone to scratching than acrylic.

Yes it is a name brand but it is what poly wind shields are made of due to it much hid her scratch resistance and a lot tougher than cast or extruded

 

[cromag27]

no, windshields (and such) are sometimes made out of polycarbonate because of how impact resistant they are. not because they scratch less easily. there are certain types of polycarbonate that have scratch resistant coatings, but the the sheets are costly. so simply saying polycarbonate is less prone to scratch compared to acrylic is not a true statement. besides, polycarbonate isn't used as often as acrylic in this industry.

Yes it is a name brand but it is what poly wind shields are made of due to it much hid her scratch resistance and a lot tougher than cast or extruded

 

[jeff williams]

Sorry op apparently Lexon poly isn't as scratch resistant as acrylic however we were talking about building an overflow cover not an entire tank so my thought was you might be able to pick up a scrap piece from an acrylic supplier maybe Cromag08 has a suggestion

 

[cromag27]

yeah for an overflow cover, scratching isn't really a big concern and polycarbonate would be a better choice than acrylic.

Sorry op apparently Lexon poly isn't as scratch resistant as acrylic however we were talking about building an overflow cover not an entire tank so my thought was you might be able to pick up a scrap piece from an acrylic supplier maybe Cromag08 has a suggestion

 

[jeff williams]

yeah for an overflow cover, scratching isn't really a big concern and polycarbonate would be a better choice than acrylic.

Cromag08 I do have a question for you is poly less like to warp when used in this way than acrylic

 

[cromag27]

Yes, that's why I said its a better option for this purpose. polycarbonate absorbs less water because it has a higher water content.

Cromag08 I do have a question for you is poly less like to warp when used in this way than acrylic