Step to acrylic

[G.T]

Having built many glass tanks i would like to have a go at Acrylic. What do i need and where would be a local supplier of pre cut acrylic in my Area (concord NH)? Any help would be greatly appreciated. :)

I am planning a decent sized sump which would be 40 inchs long x 20 high but only 15 wide.

[jacqur]

Plastics Unlimited in Worcester, Ma has tons (literally) of acrylic in stock and can get the nice stuff for display tanks like Acrylite GP (TM). There are some helpful resources on the web, not sure where though, I hear the web is a big place and I have a predisposition to getting lost.

Anyway, the biggest thing I have struggled with when working with acrylics is the bonding. Small low pressure stuff can be bonded via capillary action using Methylene Chloride. The deal is it chemically welds the two pieces together. Super strong but requires an absolutely perfect fit. I have a decent table saw and that won't cut it (no pun intended). You really need access to high end cutting equipment like a CNC to get perfectly fitted pieces. Don't try silicone, it might seem like it will work but in a year I'll tell you I told you so.

I hear there are some thicker products out there like Gel welding cements but I haven't tried them. I've also heard of people using Weld-on 40 or Goop(TM) but I've never tried. Be sure to get a warm fuzzy from people who say they have used this stuff that there is no long term toxicology associated with this stuff.

[G.T]

Thanks for the infor! all taken on board.

[dedfish]

More info...

http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/routing.html
http://www.melevsreef.com/tools.html
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=390652
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=562051

As far as local suppliers, get out the yellow pages and look up "Plastics - Rod, Tube, Sheet, Etc". Call them and get quotes to see who's cheapest. Make sure you ask for cell cast acrylic and not extruded.

[G.T]

Thankyou that was a great help!

[Lam]

...have a bunch of acrylic sheets to get rid of real cheap.

Let me know

[G.T]

Lam excuse my lack of american geagraphy but where are you based?