Acrylic tank owners please chime in

[playaslk]

Hey guys I'm pricing out a large acrylic tank at several fabricators.
I saw the work of one of them and the 3/4 inch walls actually measure out to 5/8 so 12.5% less. When asked about it, this well know manufacturer said that its standard practice and that everyone does it sort of like a 2x4 isn't really 2" x 4".

My question is whether this really is the case? Your supposed 3/4 or 1 inch walls actually measure 3/4 and 1 or are they 5/8 and 7/8 ?

Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KarL]

My current tank measures correctly built by advanced acrylics

 

[playaslk]

Karl what is the thickness ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ERIC1975]

Mine 3/4" measured exactly 3/4"...by Advanced Acrylic. Though 5/8" is not far off from 3/4"
The acrylic panels are pre-fab so it depends on the tank makers..where they got them from

 

[KarL]

3/4".

 

[rayray]

Ive ordered about a dozen acrylic tanks from reputable makers and they always measured out to the agreed upon thickness with a micrometer. If they skimp even 10% on a large tank that adds up to a lot of material "stolen" from you. I wouldnt trust them. Tell us who so i can avoid them.

BTW, my latest large tank is again all acylic. After the leaks in large glass tanks and hybrid tanks, i still think acrylic is the way to go with >180g.

 

[SC50964]

1/8" is a lot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[xthunderx]

For those that chimed in, would it be possible to post pics with a measuring tape. I know it's pain and we all aren't just sitting around waiting to take request, but this would be most helpful.

I agree that 1/8" is quite a bit and if in fact 3/4" is actually 5/8" for most manufacturers that should probably be disclosed upfront. That way you can make a call to go from 3/4" to 1". This is better than catching it a year down the line and being surprised that you were "shorted" an 1/8" of material.

So the question remains, is this standard practice or is there some funny business. The more people chime in the closer we will get to the truth.

 

[playaslk]

Also it would be great if we can get a list of manufacturers going that are local.
1 Kara kreations in Simi Valley
2 advanced acrylics

Anyone else please add


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dattack]

I think the only acrylic manufacturer that measures actually to specs is Spartech/Polyone. But you will probably have to pay double for the price of your tank. You can ask the manufacturer for Spartech but be prepare to pay. For example a 1/4" sheet of acrylite GP is actually around .236" ($120 or so) while Spartech is .250" ($180 or so).
But for other manufacturer expect the standard sizes for acrylic:
0.236 = 1/4"
0.354 = 3/8"
0.472 = 1/2"
0.591 = 5/8"
0.708 = 3/4"
0.944 = 1"
1.250 = 1.25"
1.500 = 1.5"
2.000 = 2"

 

[nicodim55]

Mine is 1" thick exactly

 

[xthunderx]

[MENTION=411]dattack[/MENTION] If this is true why the discrepancy between people who have already chimed in? Wouldn't we all find the same thing that 3/4 wasn't actually 3/4" and in reality more like 5/8"??

 

[dattack]

5/8" actual is way too off though. For a 3/4" thick tank.

 

[xthunderx]

Very much agreed, seams to me like that would make a significant difference in material costs over a large tank. Not to mention structural integrity of an additional 1/8" all around.