20 gal acrylic tank build

Discussion in 'I made this!' started by tharr, Jan 1, 2011.

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  1. tharr

    tharr Plankton

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    Ok i am making a 20 gallon tank, well maybe a little bigger (20 gal dementions- 24x12x16 mine-24x16x18 ). Now ive seen several people use the tank safe silicone to hold a 80 gallon tank together, but never seen them filled. would the silicone hold mine or should i make some kind of top and bottom bracing as well?
     
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  3. rc_mcwaters3

    rc_mcwaters3 Clown Trigger

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    i would thing so but you could make a bar that hold at the top and botton out of acrylic and that would help. I have seen one made out of glass that was help by nothing but sylicone.
     
  4. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    Silicone will not hold an acrylic tank together. You will need to get acrylic glue for that.
     
  5. tharr

    tharr Plankton

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    Ok so then just get something like an acrylic cement and use the sylicone to seal it?
     
  6. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    If you use the cement correctly you won't need the silicone to seal. Besides the silicone won't likely seal it anyway. The tank will hold about 29 gallons when you make it.
     
  7. tharr

    tharr Plankton

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    How do you figure the gallons, I used to be able too but college was a couple years ago and dont use some of that stuff any more lol.
     
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  9. rc_mcwaters3

    rc_mcwaters3 Clown Trigger

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    On the rith under you user name is a tab that has calculators try it i belive there is one in there.
     
  10. gazog

    gazog Kole Tang

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  11. rc_mcwaters3

    rc_mcwaters3 Clown Trigger

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    will it bond acrylic to glass?
     
  12. ccopelin

    ccopelin Plankton

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    Acrylic to glass with silicone is a bad idea if you are putting any pressure on it. For acrylic you need to use weld on #3 or 4, weld on 16 is a thicker solvent and easier if you dont have experience.