I assume 1/4" is thick enough for a small tank?

[Joshua]

I'm going to build a little frag tank, probably along the lines of 24x30x8 or so. I figure being only 8" high I don't have to worry so much about acrylic strength right? 1/4" cast would do fine? Do I even need to eurobrace this thing?

[hobogato]

you could just use extruded since it will be a frag tank - the plastics guys assure me there is NO difference in strength. i would still brace it around the top since it such a large footprint, but i tend to overbuild things a bit.

[LoneStar]

It's such a long footprint. I would brace it up top.

[Joshua]

OK I'll put a brace on it, 2" around all edges work or should I also put one going across the middle?

Well it'll be a frag tank that's sitting out next to my display so sort of a displayable frag tank so that's why I was thinking cast for clarity... Plus I have like half a sheet sitting in the garage already... but maybe I could do extruded on the bottom and cast walls and eurobrace?

[hobogato]

i think that would work fine.

[Joshua]

Awesome... Anything special to do for bonding the cast side walls to the extruded bottom?

[hobogato]

the only difference in cast and extruded acrylic is the way the sheet is formed. the resin used for both is the same. you should have no problem adhering the two together with weldon or another solvent.

[Joshua]

Thanks Ace, you saved me a little cash on that tank bottom.

[ReefOne]

extruded absorbs water just a little more. frag tanks and sumps(extruded) display tanks(cast). Cast is a little more forgiving when it comes to machining.