Elasmobranch tank build

[Viet-Tin]

For the past few months Ive been really interested in Sharks. Ive been doing lots of reading and research on them and I'm thinking about trying a few for myself. Obviously there is much I need to do and learn in making sure these guys stay happy so I have many questions. First question is about the tank. I plan on building a tank around 16'x8'x4' which would be 3830 gallons but I like to say 4000 :D This will be a plywood tank lined with fiberglass and epoxy with only one viewing side. How thick will I need to go on the acrylic for the front? I'm worried about it bowing or bursting flooding my house. Any help on this would be very much appreciated.

[blueboy]

sounds like fun. if i'm not mistaken, it's the heigth, not the volume that will determine how thick it needs to be. but, that's all i can tell you. did you see the link to the awesome cinder bock sump a couple months back? it looked nicer than the guys display.

[Viet-Tin]

I think I saw that one. The tank will be about 4' tall so thats gonna be quite a lot of pressure. I don't really want to make it shorter as I think it would look a little funny. Anyone know how strong acrylic is? I tried asking a few acrylic shops but all they tell me is ask someone who builds fish tanks. Most don't even make sheets thicker than 1"...anyone know of any places or sites i can check out to get a price quote on custom made sheets?

[txstateunivreefer]

a guy at interstate plastics in austin gave me a link to an engineering site that would calc the thickness needed you might call and see if you can find him and the site ask for the guy that builds fish tanks

[Viet-Tin]

Thanks Ill try that. Does it matter what kind of acrylic? Cast? Extruded? Thanks again

[Viet-Tin]

Ok well I found a calc and according to it I will need 2.25" thick acrylic...man thats going to be expensive.