Some acrylic tank questions

[Steve]

Going to be the new owner of a big acrylic tank very shortly and since having never owned anything other than glass tanks before I have some questions. I've been trying to read up as much as I can on acrylic tanks but some things are either not really out there to find, or seem to be 50 of one 50 of another on whats best. So to those here that have owned acrylic I\m wondering a few things.

Stand- Firstly on bottom support for an acrylic tank. I know they need to be fully supported and not just edge supported like glass tanks. The tank is 72"x30"24" and I will be building a stand for it myself. I plan to build a wood stand with vertical 4x4 to hold the weight so there is no weight being supported on the fasteners, will have ample braces, and a full plywood top to support the bottom of the tank. I'm thinking 18" centers for each 4x4 support so four vertical supports across the 72"s . Does this sound right?

Substrate- I have read that acrylic scratches easier than glass and you have to be careful to not get substrate in between whatever cloth or magfloat and the viewing panel. Is sand okay to use as substrate or should something else be used? If there anything special needed for cleaning or just extreme care is all?

Filtration- Running intake tubes for fx5's. The top of acrylic tanks is closed off more than normal glass so you can't use the over the edge type brackets for the intake & returns on canister filters. Is it okay to drill a hole the size needs to pass an intake tube for an fx5 through the top rim of the tank? I don't think a 1" hole will weaken anything but better to be safe and ask if you don't know.

Any help is appreciated.

[Regalblue]

Stand: make it like shown below,  only add a removable center vertical support.

Substrate: anything is fine,  just be careful when wiping/cleaning the viewing panels. 

MAKE SURE WHATEVER YOU CLEAN THE VIEWING PANELS IS ACRYLIC SAFE.  It's VERY,  VERY easy to scratch.

Filtration : yes,  you can drill it. 

[jimbob]

Use a hole saw instead of a drill bit to drill holes.

[danotaylor]

Nice size tank Steve...is it going to be your mixed African Cichlid display? Not sure if you want wood for it, but I have a mega piece that would only work in a 30" wide tank. If you want to see it just PM me your cell number and I will txt you pics and dimensions mate 👍

[Steve]

Thanks for the info/help guys much appreciated. I'm sure I'll probably have more questions as I get the tank and start building this project. One other thing I forgot to ask. Since it's acrylic and flat bottom then for sure needs foam between the tank bottom and plywood stand top correct?


Hey Danny. Yep this is going to be the new home for my mixed African/hap tank that is currently a 75g. I've got some species in there now that are pushing 9" so they need more room...plus it gives me room to get even more fish 30" is the height top to bottom, the front to back is 24" so probably be too big. Not sure if I am going to use much wood in it or not though. I have some wood right now (shut up Blair!) but might use it sparingly in the new tank. I plan to do a 3dBg in it but even that is going to be a challenge with the smaller opening in the tank. Gonna have to get creative to get a 3dbg to fit in it.

BTW- I don't have a cell phone, I'm ol'fashion. I hate those things with a passion. I'd rather take a bullet to the foot than ever get a cell phone lol

[Ron]

Congrats!

I used foam between the tank and DIY stand to help with any imperfections. That said, the surface area is soooooo much greater than a glass tank, that it won't sink into the foam as easily. If you use a really strong foam, it won't do much. I used some cheap, white-ball type foam and taped all the edges black before placing the tank so it looked better. It was easily compressed by hand ... I was amazed how little compressed from the tank.

For mine i bought a special acrylic safe cleaning magnet. I also have a rule - no algae grazers. It'll scratch much easier than glass.

[danotaylor]

BTW- I don't have a cell phone, I'm ol'fashion. I hate those things with a passion. I'd rather take a bullet to the foot than ever get a cell phone lol

Nice one mate...I nearly tossed mine 2 weeks ago....sitting quietly in my tree stand, ring tone silenced, and suddenly the alarm I set to remind me to clock in at work goes off right in the prime shooting light....arghh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...my bad, I forgot the alarm will even go off when the phone is switched off...any mate, coudos to you for keeping it simple with technology...people survived b4 cell phones, and might need to survive without them again if Russia blows up our power grid with an EMP lol...take it easy bud...looking forward to another masterful creation!
Bless ya mate!

[Steve]

Got a link to the magnet Ron that you use? And I was wondering about plecos too. DO you avoid plecos in your tank?

Thanks Danny, most times when I tell people I haven't had a cell in 15 yrs look at me like I'm nuts lol. I just hate them man, I think they are a HUGE reason society is in the shape we are today. People are just too attached to them IMO and miss out on real life.

[Ron]

Got a link to the magnet Ron that you use?

Magnavore 6ER - bought mine used and then bought brand new pads for it to save some money. You might also find it cheaper from vendors - I didn't search long to find a link: http://www.magnavore.com/store/en/19-magnetic-algae-cleaners

And I was wondering about plecos too. DO you avoid plecos in your tank?

No plecos. No way.
No mbuna either ...although mbuna might be alright if you keep the front always clear of algae.

[mightieskeeper]

Steve, I would only clean my acrylic tanks with soft old rag.  People (children) see that magnet cleaner and have to play with it, shoving it into the substrate trapping that sand or tiny rock that scratches the inside of the tank.  I have never used a piece of foam insulation before.  Make sure the top of the stand is covered in ply and level.  I loved my acrylic tanks that I had in the past.  I cant wait to set my new Clarity plus 50 gallon hex.

[Ron]

To keep my magnet from picking up sand, my front viewing pane starts slightly above the level of the substrate (as it's set in-wall). This way I can run my magnet across the front against the frame and never hit the sand unless some hap has it piled up in front (which can be seen obviously ahead of time, in which case I just pull it back first and smooth out the substrate).

[Steve]

Shouldn't be an issue with me, I never leave my magnet cleaners on my tanks anyway. With my ocd it just drives me nuts to see something on the front of my tanks that does not belong there. I know, I'm weird lol

[Rob S]

I've got a big acrylic tank and I've amazed at how many little scratches are in it from my fish. I've had huge clown loaches that have scratched it with their fins as well as huge Central American fish that have scratched it with their teeth. I've never used anything except a soft cloth to clean the glass. I love it for a lighter lift when moving and for the way it looks but they scratch so easy. Good news is with water in it, you don't notice them that much.