Acrylic Thickness to High Ratio for DIY Aquariums

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OBlitzO

AC Members
Sep 12, 2012
53
1
6
Up-state New York
So I am going to build an acrylic aquarium, and I have a question. But first some info...

My dimensions are:

Length (Front): 26.5''

Height (Depth): 12.7''

Width: 9''

This will give me a little under 13 gallons if I am not mistaken. I have found a height to thickness chart for acrylic, shown below.

Aquarium HeightSheet Thickness
1 to 12 inches1/4 inch
12 - 18 inches3/8 inch
18 - 24 inches1/2 inch
24 - 30 inches3/4 inch

I took this info from another forum from http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_acrylic_aquarium.php

So in your opinion would 1/4 inch acrylic suit my needs relatively and hold together nicely?
I will be using "Weld-on 4" to bond the acrylic, and use acrylic brackets connecting front panels to back and side to front/back. Do you predict problems?

Tell me what you think. Trying to save money and if this will work if done right, I am going to try it.

Thanks
 

Hr0th9ar

AC Members
Sep 8, 2012
225
0
0
Winton, CA
Personally I'd use 3/8 but you should be ok with 1/4 so long as you don't bump it real hard. Also I'd suggest using weld-on 40, tilt and pour method as weld-on 4 can/will become brittle over time.

Sent from my SGS4 Active
 

OBlitzO

AC Members
Sep 12, 2012
53
1
6
Up-state New York
Personally I'd use 3/8 but you should be ok with 1/4 so long as you don't bump it real hard. Also I'd suggest using weld-on 40, tilt and pour method as weld-on 4 can/will become brittle over time.

Really ? I thought the bond becomes stronger over time (with Weld-on 4)?
 
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