Acrylic supplier?

[Chiisai]

Wondering if anyone knows of a good supplier for acrylic sheets. Looking for 1/2" sheets. Eventual tank will be 4'x4'x20" (200gal) I have talked to Kel-Tech Plastics in Tacoma they are asking 397.42 for a 4'x8' sheet. Anyone know of a place which might be cheaper?  Otherwise its going to be a $1000 200gal tank lol.

Also not sure if anyone else has played with acrylics but wondering if a 4'x2'x20" tank could skate by with 1/4"???

 

[nismofan]

Acrylic supplies

All my Carnivorous plant terrarium accessories were from TAP plastics in bellevue (lots-o-stuff) full sheets, scraps and tubing etc.

 

[Madness]

Just an FYI, a friend of mine had a 386 gal made by Titan Aquatics and it ran him $2500, including shipping.

And I wouldnt go 1/4" on 20" tall, I have a 400gal thats 1/4" but it is only 16" tall. Not sure if an extra 4" matters. If you find a site with calculations regarding height and size of acrylic let me know.

 

[Gryphon]

I would try TAP plastics in Bellevue and the Northside of Seattle.

 

[Chiisai]

Just an FYI, a friend of mine had a 386 gal made by Titan Aquatics and it ran him $2500, including shipping.  

And I wouldnt go 1/4" on 20" tall, I have a 400gal thats 1/4" but it is only 16" tall.  Not sure if an extra 4" matters.  If you find a site with calculations regarding height and size of acrylic let me know.

Emailed Titan... they suggested I talk to Kel-Tech lol

 

[zach_discus]

I have a 120 22" high I use for water changes and is 3/8" thick and the sides bulge 1/4" in the middle. I would not use anything less than 3/8 for your tank and stepping up to 1/2" would be good insurence. In our area TAP Plastics is about the best supplier for cost and customer freindly.

 

[WhosUrDadi]

Calsak plastics in Tukwila

 

[Anonymous]

$1000 is pretty good. If u want it cheaper you can take a chance on a plywood tank. I have had lots of acrylic tanks and I agree that 1/4 is risky. Personally I would go with half inch but as zach said 3/8 would work. When you get weigh up higher on the acrylic it will put a lot of pressure on it and I've had 1/4 blow a seem and knock a pannel out with no prior seem defects.

 

[Chiisai]

$1000 is pretty good. If u want it cheaper you can take a chance on a plywood tank. I have had lots of acrylic tanks and I agree that 1/4 is risky. Personally I would go with half inch but as zach said 3/8 would work. When you get weigh up higher on the acrylic it will put a lot of pressure on it and I've had 1/4 blow a seem and knock a pannel out with no prior seem defects.

How the hell did you blow a seem? Your suppose to chemically weld acrylic. If done correctly it should be bonded on a molecular level. Or was it just too much weight and a corner blew out from pressure?

 

[Anonymous]

Have you ever been to aquarium paradise. In his first main display the whole back blew out. It happens. Is this your first tank if so maybe you want to test it out on a smaller tank to make sure it will turn out well.

 

[Chiisai]

I use to work at a fabrication company in Spokane, we built metal and plastic displays/supports/shipping containers for chemicals.. So yes this would be first aquarium but not first time dealing with chemical welding or plastics. I have just never heard of a "seem" failing. Though I have seen acrylic containers burst due to sheer weight/pressure at weakest point. Which I suppose if you just did bottom an sides the corners would be structurally weaker. I will ask Dom about that blow out. Thanks for the tip.