48Lx48Wx24H acrylic?

when building a 48L x 48W x 24H using 1" acrylic would there have to be a top piece? or can i get away without it.

 

IMHO something can never be too strong.

 

i would put one there, thats gunna be a sweet tank

 

That's a lot of water and pressure on the sides. I would add something in way of a brace, especially if making it myself, I don't know how much you trust your handy work, but if it was me I would def. add something.

 

Play it safe, add as much support as you can.

 

That's awefully thick acrylic though... you might be able to but I am no expert on it. Can't wait!

 

IMO The thickness of the acrylic isn't as much of a factor as the seal between panels... The 1" acrylic will stop a bullett and STILL hold your water back. I am in the middle of building a tank with only slightly larger diameters in length and a few inches shorter in height, (plywood) but the glass I am using is 3/8" thick, and it will WAY more than hold the water back. Keep in mind that it's not the length or width that matters when building a tank, it's the height. 1/4" glass will hold a column of 22" even if there was a lake behind it. It only adds a minor amount of pressure to add more length or width. Again, the place where this becomes MORE of an issue is the bottom corners and the bottom panel... Neither of which will be aided by the addition of a brace.

With 1" you'll have a very large amount contact area between the weldon... I am 100% positive that you'll be fine without a brace. Adding it would be just for personal comfort, but I would have NO problem whatsoever without it. Look at some of the rimless tanks professionally built.