Mobile Bay Reef Keepers

Does any one know where I can but sheets of Plex or Acry for a good price. I want to build a new tank and am having some problems finding the right thickness. Thanks

What thickness do you need? A 4x8 sheet of 3/8" is about $220.

You should be able to get that at any glass shop. It's high. It would probably be cheaper to just buy a tank when you figure in your time making it.

Well time is not a big thing I love the challange. I am "going" to build a aprx. 250-500gal tank that will be a huge short square box. I want it to stop about 5-5.5ft off the ground so I can look in the top. And only whant it to be couple feet deep and sit on a stand.

That's a different story, I thought you might want to built something like a standard size tank. Good luck. Keep us posted on the progress.

For a tank that size you will probably need 5/8-3/4" acrylic. Very expensive. I think a sheet of 5/8 is about $600.

Brian, look in the phone book under "plastics", there's several places here in Mobile, and I'm sure there's tons of 'em in Pensacola.

good luck, 500 gallons of water is approx. 4,284.77 lbs...make sure you use a good sealer and lots of braces...i think it might be cheaper to buy a prefab tank...and not to mention insurance knowing the tank is built right, but if you decide to go ahead and do it, i will try to help you out as much as i can and help you find what you need, cause id love to see a tank that size

Well not real sure on whats going to happen. I found big help glass for cheap. (I think) a 4x4 sheet will cost aprx 150 my cost but I also have a friend that works in a huge glass dealer here and can prob get it alot cheaper. Been told a 4x4cube is aprox 500? I think I may go to a little smaller. Dont know.

48"x48"x48" is 478 gallons... man if you can get glass cheap i say do it, but make sure your braces and underneath is doubles up for pressure

I agree with everything these guys are saying about the weight. I have a friend in the glass business and he says the danger is them bowing due to pressure.

Why not ask that MS company that makes the tanks to quote you a price? Ask them for the specifications they are quoting on. Use their thickness to estimate the cost of building your own. Then compare the cost of making vs buying.

Can I go swimming in it when your done? This is going to make Josh's tank look like a goldfish bowl (and mine a shot glass).

Al-Fl Plastics here in Mobile....they were gonna try to repair my broken 300 gallon but we changed our mind. You don't need to have the same thickness all over.

If you want to come look at how our tank is made you are more than welcome!

Elizabeth