Acrylic vs. Plexiglass

[Rudy]

Hi! Plan to build my sump on Monday (2/16/04). Should I wait to purchase Acrylic on Monday from a local plastic shop or buy some Plex from the local Home Depot?

Are there any pros & cons to either? Is one clearly superior to the other? What thickness should I use, 1/4"?

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Guy W]

I've never built anything out of acrylic. for my sump I just used a 29 gal glass fish tank. But I would imagine 1/4" is probably fine for thickness. I think the real important thing is which is easier to cut and glue? I'm sure Acrylic looks nicer, but for a sump that doesn't matter.

sorry i'm not much help on this one.

 

[mogurnda]

Just to show how useless my opinion would be, I thought they were the same thing.

 

[Rudy]

Mog,

I have since learned they basically are the same thing, so pelase feel to share your thoughts?

 

[slipknottin]

plexi is just name brand acrylic...


What size sump and what sort of top support are you going to be using?

 

[Rudy]

Originally posted by slipknottin
What size sump and what sort of top support are you going to be using?

Dunno, that is the basis for this thread. I know I will likely be using an external pump.

 

[Guy W]

I thought acrylic was basicly the same but higher quality, no?

 

[slipknottin]

well maybe you should tell us what size your main tank is, what size return pump your using, and what things you want to fit in your sump. (refugium, skimmer, etc.)

 

[Rudy]

125 gal, working on stand now, plan for sump to house a refugium and skimmer. Plan on ~ 1300 gph flow.

 

[slipknottin]

how much space would you like to keep open under your tank? How is your stand constucted, meaning can you drop the sump in through the top, is their a large enough opening in the back to slide it in, etc. You definatly dont want to build a 4' long sump then find out you cant get it under the stand.