GLASS VS. ACRYLIC
- Thread starter TCZeli
- Start date
I just made 4 tanks out of mr10 lexan. I am wondering if it can stop a bullet, will it scratch as easy or be as clear as acrylic. They look great but I just built them have yet to add water to it.
I am very intrigued. Please give details. What solvents? Methods? dimensions? Any photos?
sounds....soo....coool...
2 tanks are 43 by 18 by 15 and the other two are 43 by 18 by 12
I used acrylic glue and c clamps.
And I used the euro brace style instead of center brace.
If I'm not mistaken it should be 185ish gallons. Or 740liters. I'm going to run it from the top to the bottom of the rack with a 2kph pump and 2 fx4 canisters on the bottom tank. Like I said I just put the plumbing in an hour ago.
I used acrylic glue and c clamps.
And I used the euro brace style instead of center brace.
If I'm not mistaken it should be 185ish gallons. Or 740liters. I'm going to run it from the top to the bottom of the rack with a 2kph pump and 2 fx4 canisters on the bottom tank. Like I said I just put the plumbing in an hour ago.
I'm curious if I should bother adding a silicone seal to the already bonded edges. I'm going to pressure test them tomorrow to ensure the edges are set but is the silicone really necessary? Obviously I want to seal the bulkheads but the edges are glued together.
I know acrylic but I know next to nothing about lexan. Do the solvents melt it like they do acrylic to make a bond?
I never use silicone on acrylic, that's a no no unless for non pressurized fittings like sump baffles. If you were to try it use RTV. I would use weld on 40 tip and pour.
But is lexan more like glass than acrylic? or more like acrylic? This is completely new to me
I never use silicone on acrylic, that's a no no unless for non pressurized fittings like sump baffles. If you were to try it use RTV. I would use weld on 40 tip and pour.
But is lexan more like glass than acrylic? or more like acrylic? This is completely new to me
The glue I used dose bond the panes of lexan almost as if were melted together. I want to say lexan acts more like acrylic. It's flexible to an extent, it's light as a feather and unbelievably clear. How ever that's were the similarity between them ends. Acrylic is crazy soft and I can scratch it with the grit of my palm. Lexan has taken a shot from a sledge hammer and shows no sign of impact. It's goes even further my 53 gallon boxes are 1/8th inch thick. Acrylic would have needed to be 1/4 or better. Lexan is stupid expensive. Acrylic for me is $350per 8'x4' at 1/4 inch. Lexan Mr10 is $900 for the same sheet.
sleepingtiger
Gambusia
why not the best of both worlds?
I just picked up a custom tank. It is 12'x30"x30". The back, two sides and bottom is 3/4" black acrylic. The top has a typical euro bracing. The front panel is framed with 2" black acrylic that is bonded to the sides, bottom and top euro bracing. Inside the acrylic frame is 3/4" starfire glass. This is one of the best designed aquariums I have seen. When the tank is filled with water, the water pressure actually pushes the glass against the 2" frame thus sealing it even better.
It took 6 of us to move this beast using furniture dollies, hydraulic lift and plenty of suction cups. If acrylic is lighter, its not much lighter.
I just picked up a custom tank. It is 12'x30"x30". The back, two sides and bottom is 3/4" black acrylic. The top has a typical euro bracing. The front panel is framed with 2" black acrylic that is bonded to the sides, bottom and top euro bracing. Inside the acrylic frame is 3/4" starfire glass. This is one of the best designed aquariums I have seen. When the tank is filled with water, the water pressure actually pushes the glass against the 2" frame thus sealing it even better.
It took 6 of us to move this beast using furniture dollies, hydraulic lift and plenty of suction cups. If acrylic is lighter, its not much lighter.
sleepingtiger
Gambusia
Not sure what you mean. Here is a picture after and before the move. The help wanted extra money when they saw the aquarium. For reference, those are large pool noodles. That little aquarium you see on the far left is a 10g.
