bdspider Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Enquiring for someone who sent me an email asking and I have no idea.... Where do you get acrylic tanks from? Or who makes them? This person is in Chch but would probably consider NZ wide places. He is asking as his glass tanks all got ruined in earthquakes. Would an acrylic really be that much better? I know Fishfreaks acrylic tank broke not cos it fell but the wave action's pressure burst a hole in the side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zayne Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 they are clearer and meant to be like 17 time stronger than glass, and lighter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 I spotted an auction on TM last week for custom tanks made in Wellington. I've also had great service from Bay Plastic Fabrication Ltd in Tauranga who happily ship. Their contact details are at http://www.bayplastic.co.nz/ The key is that the acrylic is not glued together like glass - it's bonded at the cellular level so essentially the tank is one piece of acrylic once it's all stuck together. Looks damn good too (but can scratch easier than glass if you're a bit rough). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zayne Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 the place in lower hutt does free shipping to CHCH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 I got a quote from a place on trademe that was advertising a big 1/4 round acrylic tank and they seemed ridiculously expensive. I asked for a price for one the same as my biggest tank (240x98x62cm) and they asked why bother with such a small tank, so I asked for a price for one 10'x4'x30" (had just been looking at this US site selling acrylic tanks and that was about the largest size they did) and they quoted something like $14k saying it needed 40mm thick acylic. I'd be interested to find someone in NZ who makes large acrylic tanks as it seems like a good option for massive tanks, where as glass would have to be manufactured on site and would pretty much be immovable. But at the price they quoted it would be cheaper to ship one from the states with a couple of Ultima filters stuffed inside it for good measure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zayne Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 they are quite expensive compared to glass, bit i think if you could get a good deal for a biggish display tank it may be worth it as they are so clear!, they also are meant to last for ages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zayne Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 saying it needed 40mm thick acylic. That would be basically bullet proof!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hovmoller Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Not exactly on the topic of who supplies acrylic tanks but more on how to make them yourself.. This guy has got his technique down for sure: http://www.melevsreef.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ally07 Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Just curious - how much lighter is acrylic than glass? I suppose if acrylic was clearer and easier to transport than glass for a fraction more, it would be more popular than glass tanks. But $14k is just stupid, you could buy a couple of high end aros for the price of the tank alone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Yeah $14k seems crazy, look at some of the sizes/prices in the link I posted, $4692US ($6k NZ) for 120x48x30", but I imagine shipping would cost a bomb. Glass would almost certainly be cheaper, I'll have to ask Greg next time I see him, but the problem with glass is that it would need to be made on site or moved with a hiab or forklift. Biggest downside with acrylic is that it scratches easier than glass, but on the up side you can repair the scratches, unlike glass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Plus acrylic tanks get scratched alot easier. I would have gone acrylic but bc of turtles nails it would've gone bust. But if you're in a high risk eq area acrylic might stand up better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breakaway Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Don't do it. It's going to scratch like crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zayne Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 the thing you have to be careful about with acrylic is when moving it make sure it has the protective paper on it. i looked into making on a few months ago but the hardest thing is finding the solvent glue i could only find the stuff the acrylic manufractures had and thats $22 for a toothpaste tube sized. i can get a 4 foot for around $450-500, 10mm with corner overflow You can also get the scratches, out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GZ_Loach Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 For the person asking about weight difference, its basically plastic - so alot lighter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breakaway Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 You can also get the scratches, out Without draining and buffing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zayne Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Without draining and buffing? usually the scratches are on the out-side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 But sometimes an ornament can fall over and voila scratches or a turtle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zayne Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 But sometimes an ornament can fall over and voila scratches or a turtle. well then you will have to be careful. But easily scratched is acrylics only downfall the rest are all pros. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zayne Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 About $430-440 for a 4 foot tank, corner overflow curved front and top like most in the states with the panel with cut out holes not bad IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted May 19, 2011 Report Share Posted May 19, 2011 Here's the crowd that quoted me $14k for the massive tank. Would be interested to see what sort of price they'd charge for something smaller... http://www.trademe.co.nz/Pets-animals/Fish/Fish-tanks-aquariums/auction-377465094.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zayne Posted May 19, 2011 Report Share Posted May 19, 2011 aqua-world, what was the size of the tank you wanted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted May 19, 2011 Report Share Posted May 19, 2011 I believe it was 10'x4'x30" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted May 19, 2011 Report Share Posted May 19, 2011 No thats the one I got quoted $14k or something crazy for. I'm wondering about something smaller around the 1000-1500L mark, they said its not worth it compared to glass so I'm guessing it would also be quite pricey... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted May 19, 2011 Report Share Posted May 19, 2011 I spotted an auction on TM last week for custom tanks made in Wellington. I've also had great service from Bay Plastic Fabrication Ltd in Tauranga who happily ship. Their contact details are at http://www.bayplastic.co.nz/ +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zayne Posted May 19, 2011 Report Share Posted May 19, 2011 David R Here's the crowd that quoted me $14k for the massive tank. Would be interested to see what sort of price they'd charge for something smaller what was the size? i could get you a Quote Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.