Cell-Cast Acrylic Prices

C

chefkeith

Loach Inspector
Aug 17, 2003
674
0
16
Detroit
Yesterday I noticed that www.delviesplastics.com just raised there prices by about $25 for a 8x4 sheet. I was just about to make a nice order from them too. I still haven't found anybody who can beat their prices though.

I was planning on building 2 more tanks out of 1/2" cell cast acrylic, that are 120g each that measure 48"x24"x24". Maybe now I'll build 2- 140g's instead that are 60"x30"x18" out of 3/8" cell-cast acrylic. I'll have to recalculate everything now though. I wish I could just buy some glass tanks, but I hate large glass tanks because they are too heavy for one person to move around. I guess I'll have to call around again for prices on 1/2" amd 3/8" cell cast acrylic.

Anybody know of a good place to order Cell-Cast Acrylic?
 
Keith,

I'm thinking about a large acrylic tank sometime in the near future and am wondering if you could help me with a few questions. Say I was thinking about building a tank that would be 96"L x 48"W x 24"H. My question(s) is how thick should the sheets be for a tank this size and what should I use to secure the sheets together? As in joining them. Also I'm assuming a top sheet with cross braces cut into it would be required since it's so wide?

Also let me know if you find a better place than the site you listed, even though the prices on that site were almost half of what I was qouted for 3/4" sheets locally.
 
how thick should the sheets be for a tank this size?- I think 1/2" would work. I'd add some 1/2"x1/2" acrylic strips along the inside seems to double the strength of the joints.

This is a link for some very large acrylic tank sizes with acrylic thicknesses-
http://www.superskimmer.com/large_acrylic_aquariums.htm

what should I use to secure the sheets together? Weld-on #4

here are some diy articles on building acrylic tanks-
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_acrylic_aquarium.php
http://www.duboisi.com/diy/BNdiytank/bndiytank.htm
 
chefkeith what are the prices up to now?? I found a local supplier by me in NJ. I can get a 8x4 sheet of 3/8" for $128 cut to size. I know with shipping www.delviesplastics.com is too much for me for the sizes I would need. also if you are going to use 3/8" make a tank that is 78l x 30w x 18h and you'll use two sheets. Most for your money. If you want to use 1/2" make a tank that is 48"l x 48"w x 24"h this will also use 2 sheets fully and you'll get a 240 gallon tank.

Also with the height anything between under 18" you can use 3/8" thick,18" and 24" you will need 1/2" thick over 24" Your just crazy b/c the acrylic is going to cost an arm and leg :)
 
A 3/8" sheet at delvies is $146 and 1/2" is $197. Maybe I'll just build 1 tank for now.

My set-up right now is a 90g and a 33g. I'm thinking about retiring both tanks and getting 2 larger tanks or just retiring the 33g. I have 11 feet of space where the tanks currently are. The widest I want to make the tanks are 30", but I'd be more comfortable with 24" widths for ease of maintainence. Building two 5' foot tanks would be the most practicle for me. Cost is not the biggest factor. Size/weight of tank when empty/ease of cleaning is what matters most to me. I'd also like the tanks to fit in the back of my mini-van for when I move in a few years.
 
I went ahead and ordered some 3/8" cell-cast acrylic from Delvies. I decided to just build one 95g tank for now. The 95g tank will be 48"x24"x19". I decided on a smaller tank because I just didn't want to be handling anything bigger. Also, I think I can build this tank complete with hood and stand for about $250. I"ve built a 6 foot x 2 foot canopy hood for my other tank and I don't care much for the size of it when I have to clean it or remove it. Let the tank building begin. Off to Home Depot I am.
 
Well....? Did I miss something or aren't you finished yet? Ha ha ha. Just came across this thread while searching for a type of acrylic to use for aquarium tops.

Do you use the acrylic to cover the tanks too Keith?

And where is the Shrimp tank in your fish room? :D
 
I made a top for my 10g snail tank with some left over cell-cast acrylic. Unfortunately when acrylic is used as a top, it warps alot. I'll have to replace it with a glass top if snails start escaping.

On my main tanks I don't use any tops, just the canopy hoods.

I keep the shrimp in the 15g snail tank. They are doing great.
I'll probably get another 15g tank soon because my Boesemani rainbowfish are breeding like crazy. I'll need another place to put the fry. Let me know if your interested in them also. They'd go great with the bristlenoses that I'll be sending you.
 
Last edited:
Thanks Hannys, I particularly liked your reply in the stand for acrylic aquarium thread re: buying pre-made doors. Very helpful!

Keith, you are singing the tunes I like to hear! I have my tank set up and am in need of those bristlenose whenever you/they are ready :) I certainly wouldn't turn down any Bosemani fry either. Let me know if a return favor is in order.

I've used (I don't even know what it is exactly) regular plexiglass to replace broken pcs of glass tops. I use a thin strip glued (on end) to the top of the flat piece. Really cuts down on the warping! I think I may end up doing that for the piece I want to replace but make an "X" brace. I have a piece of 1/4" over a 29(33)gal that works pretty well but it still bows from end to end.

I was hoping there was an acrylic/plastic equivalent to glass :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom