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Unread 11/03/2007, 07:04 AM   #551
Acrylics
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Quote:
Originally posted by chriscobb
I'm tossing around ideas or sizes for a cube tank, I'm under the impression that height of the panel dictates thickness of material???? Would 3/4" cast acrylic be more than enough to handle a tank 60"Lx30"Hx48"W? I do understand that it would need to be eurobraced as well.....any help would be greatly appreciated......
Height *and* span determine thickness. 3/4" would suffice but would need to be both eurobraced and crossbraced (in both directions) to be structurally sound over the long term IMO. You could make it with a wide enough eurobrace but would be a PITA to maintain.

James


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Unread 11/03/2007, 09:51 AM   #552
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I am looking at building another larger tank and have a thickness question. How tall do you recommend going with 1/2" material? I am looking at a 72x24x24 but wondered if I can go a little bigger and stay with 1/2" material. Can I go taller? wider? longer?

I want to have it divided into 3 sections, so two crossbraces plus eurobracing. I have 3 lumenarc reflectors for lighting and want one over each opening. Other than that, I don't have any restrictions on size. I want to "maximize" the tank using 1/2" material and the 3 openings.

Thanks for all your help.

Dave



Last edited by jpndave; 11/03/2007 at 09:58 AM.
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Unread 11/03/2007, 10:31 AM   #553
Acrylics
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Quote:
Originally posted by jpndave
I am looking at building another larger tank and have a thickness question. How tall do you recommend going with 1/2" material? I am looking at a 72x24x24 but wondered if I can go a little bigger and stay with 1/2" material. Can I go taller? wider? longer?
Yes, but realize that deflection (bowing) will increase as you do so. I've seen tanks up to 10' long and 30+" high made from 1/2" material and they hold water but bow badly and look, well, awful.
72 x 24 x 25" will hold up nicely and only take 2 (4 x 8') sheets to build. You can go a little longer, up to 36" or so wide and up to ~27" high with tolerable deflection & without more bracing but becomes economically impractical to do so from standard 4 x 8' sheets.
If you stick with the 72 x 24" footprint, 3" eurobrace all around with (2) 6" crossbraces yields you 3 nice openings measuring ~18 x 18" and will do well.

HTH,
James


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Unread 11/03/2007, 01:53 PM   #554
underWoasisjake
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well im pressed for space under the 125... the dimensions under there are 30"l x 17"w x 30"h. That is the available space i have under the 125. Is that enough?? So the thickness of it should be 1/4 or 3/8??? ya this will be for my 120 reef.... where can i get AcryLite FF???


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Unread 11/05/2007, 03:18 PM   #555
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Polishing Kit

What is the current recommended polishing kit?

Have any of you used the 3M Trizact system?

Thanks,

Dave


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Unread 11/05/2007, 06:30 PM   #556
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Dave,

I used the 3m Trizact kit when I had to polish up my old 240 tank. I got the type that goes on a 5" random orbit sander and it worked BEAUTIFULLY. They are very hard to find these days (I would almost guess that 3M doesn't want to sell them!), but if you can find them, I wouldn't hesitate to buy and use it.


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Unread 11/05/2007, 07:24 PM   #557
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Thanks for the reply Roamer. One of my suppliers carries them (Louis & Co.) so getting it isn't a problem. I was looking at that same size, 5" stickit discs. I just need to polish the edges that I glued and routed.


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Unread 11/05/2007, 07:31 PM   #558
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Is that the dry sanding system? I looked at 3Ms site awhile back and saw there was some dry sanding kit up to about 2000 grit. Not sure how that could work without severe loading.


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Unread 11/05/2007, 08:19 PM   #559
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Here are a couple of links to what I am looking at. What do you think?

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com...rge/6597-1.jpg

http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediaw...666X7jCOrrrrQ-

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com...lm+Disc+568XA+


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Unread 11/05/2007, 08:34 PM   #560
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That is the same system I used. It is a wet system. I used a spray bottle with water and a small amount of dish washing liquid in it.

Also, be sure to flush out the sanding pad after every pass. And I do mean EVERY pass. I would run the vertical-horizontal pattern on the end of my tank, take the pad off and take it to the sink and rinse it out completely. Then, wipe the tank off with a clean towel and make another pass. Repeat until you are happy with that pad, then go to the next finer pad and repeat again.

I goes pretty fast when you get into the groove. I would HATE to do this all by hand, but the RO sander REALLY speeds it up. And the results are fantastic!

One other thing, this is one area where it is a bigger mistake to be too conservative on picking the starting grit. You will HATE life if you decide to "be careful" and start with a high grit pad (aka: finer pad) and then sand and sand and SAND and STILL not get those scratches out. If you start with a pad that is a bit too course for the size of the scratches you have, the very first pass will probably take all the scratches out, and then you can move to next finer grit and start working your way up.

There used to be some pretty good articles on how to polish up acrylic online, so you might want to do a bit of reading before you start work.


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Unread 11/14/2007, 08:59 AM   #561
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We dont get Weld on solvents in South Africa.

Has anyone used Tensol to build a display tank?

The plastic suppliers suggest using tensol 7 which is a 2 part cement and cutting the perspex sheet at a 3 degree angle. They also advised against using tensol 12 saying the bonds are not going to be strong enough.

But its not going to be fluid enough to use the pins method. It also seems like its going to be difficult to put together since it will need clamping etc.


Does anyone know if one of the other tensol products will work.

What if i just used chloroform to bond the pieces would that be strong enough?

Quote:
EDGE BONDING
Solvent welding is the quickest and easiest way of forming edge
bonds. The best results can be easily and safely achieven when
ETRU-FIX/TENSOL 12 are applied achieved using the appropriate
EVO-PLAS application kit. Features of this system - which is
intended for indoor applications - include good resistance to stress
crazing, even on line-bent sections, and high clarity, bubble-free
bonds. Filled systems such as TENSOL 12 offer slightly better gap
filling properties.
For external applications, a highly durable adhesive such as
TENSOL 70 is required



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Unread 06/02/2008, 05:15 PM   #562
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Can't seem to find Weld-on #4 in the UK either.


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Unread 06/29/2008, 03:39 PM   #563
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fro what its worth I am a fishing guy, so ihave some mono around; six# test I have is.008 in dia. so... it worked ok


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Unread 01/10/2009, 05:57 PM   #564
Reefrookey
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All
I have a chance to purchase a 300 gal tank that has a split seam on one of the end panels. Its is the vertical seam near the top were the side joins the front viewing panel. The side panel butts up to the front viewing panel. I am not sure how far down the split extends.
I was wondering what you thought about injecting this seam to repair. Is it plausible? I have worked w/ acrylics enough to feel comfortable with building varius projects as well as the sump under my sixty cube 22.75 by 22.75 by 16 tall. I also have all the wood working tools (proffesional grade) i would need to cut down and reutilize the acrylic for a smaller size tank. the dimensions for the tank are 96"x24"x30". Thanks in advance

Adam



Last edited by Reefrookey; 01/10/2009 at 06:37 PM.
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Unread 01/10/2009, 06:50 PM   #565
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If the acrylic is good. The worst thing you would have to do is glue in a gusset in that corner from the top to the bottom.

But the big question is, if it was a bad glue job, will the other seems break as well.

Kim


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Unread 01/24/2009, 10:29 PM   #566
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Wow! It took me 5 days, but I finally finished this thread. Thank you everyone for contributing to it. There is so much valuable information here.

It sounds like everyone is using all the Weld-On products. I was wondering if anyone knows how this compares?

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pro...oduct_id=19275

Has anyone ever used this product before on acrylic?

I am preparing to do a 48" x 36" x 12" propagation tank.

Thanks,
Dave


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Unread 01/25/2009, 06:52 AM   #567
Acrylics
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Personally, I wouldn't use it for acrylic at all even though the listing says for acrylic as well. It contains tetahydrafuran (THF) which works fine for polycarb but tends to craze acrylic IME.

HTH,
James


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Unread 01/25/2009, 08:32 AM   #568
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Thanks, James. This thread goes back many years, and I know some things can change as we learn/experience more. So I was wondering what everyone is currently using to work with acrylic?

- Weld-On 3 or 4?

- What are you using for pins now?

- How long do you let the glue set before pulling the pins?

- Do you prefer to use a router table or jointer to get a clean edge?

I would love to hear responses from anyone that is working with acrylic.

Thanks,
Dave


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Unread 01/25/2009, 08:41 AM   #569
Acrylics
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I still make my own but know this isn't possible for most, so I'd recommend 4 over the 3, a little more time is nice.

I'm still using the same wires I've been using for decades

Soak time varies, 15 seconds to 1 minute depending on application and whether or not someone else is helping

Router table is much better but JMO

I can't speak for others, just what I use mostly

HTH,
James


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Unread 01/25/2009, 12:46 PM   #570
Sokretys
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anyone here try acupuncture pins?


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Unread 01/25/2009, 08:26 PM   #571
melev
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Quote:
Originally posted by dbartkow
Thanks, James. This thread goes back many years, and I know some things can change as we learn/experience more. So I was wondering what everyone is currently using to work with acrylic?

- Weld-On 3 or 4?

- What are you using for pins now?

- How long do you let the glue set before pulling the pins?

- Do you prefer to use a router table or jointer to get a clean edge?

I would love to hear responses from anyone that is working with acrylic.

Thanks,
Dave
I used #4 for years but have recently switched to #3, and really love the better looking seams.

Accupuncture needles.

15 seconds.

I haven't had the opportunity to use a router table yet, so I'm still using a jointer.


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Unread 02/04/2009, 09:51 PM   #572
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I have been experimenting and seem to be getting pretty good at this. However, I have only been making 16" x 8" x 3" tanks... really nothing usable but just to get practice. Now I think I am ready to go up to my 48" x 36" x 12" propagation tank and I am questioning if it will be any different.

For the small trial tanks, I glued all the side pieces together, one at a time. Then I glued the bottom piece on to those by glueing all the edges at the same time. Is this how you do it for the larger size tanks too? I am just wondering if the glue will set to quickly by the time a get all the way around the bottom. I welcome any thoughts or insight into how you have done this.

Thanks,
Dave


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Unread 02/04/2009, 10:27 PM   #573
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I usually work the long side first, then the opposite long side, then the ends. Based on how long it took to wick the glue in the joint, I pull the pins as necessary.

Shimming up and some extra glue here and there is usually necessary.


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Unread 02/04/2009, 11:13 PM   #574
Sokretys
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Melev. Im using #4 right now. 34 gauge acupuncture needles. how long would you recommend having them in place before pulling them?

Also..what are the major differences between 3 and 4?


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Unread 02/04/2009, 11:33 PM   #575
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Quote:
Originally posted by Sokretys
Melev. Im using #4 right now. 34 gauge acupuncture needles. how long would you recommend having them in place before pulling them?

Also..what are the major differences between 3 and 4?
Question 1: 60 seconds

Question 2: 40 seconds You have to pull them quicker if you use #3, because the solvent works fast. 15-20 seconds and I start pulling pins.


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