Acrylic

Does anyone have any experience with non-glass cabinets, i.e acrylic?

I know there's a big market of acrylic tanks for aquariums, but i'm not sure which exact type of material they are using and the construction is also different.

Would like to know if warping and discoloration of the material over time are factors.

Jeff

 

Hi Magnus,

Thanks for your information.

Do you know how the aquarium builders achieve such massive designs without warping? Some tanks are really big and ontop of that also hold a massive quantity of water, is it some special plastic or acrylic that does not warp? Or construction?

Did you retire it because of the warping issues? What i am looking to make is only 60cm wide x 30-40cm deep and all sides closed except front, so i would assume using a thicker acrylic would make it quite rigid

I also read that cell-cast acrylic should barely warp (if at all using proper construction), i think this is what the reef tank folks use too. If anyone knows anything about this that would help

My cabinet actually has acrylic doors and they warp. (Though they are likely the cheaper extruded acrylic)

Regards,
Jeff

 

Thanks for that Marni.

I found a local supplier which use the highest quality cast acrylic, the sheets arrive cut exactly to spec. Which means i don't have to waste any time doing that, as i will receive professionally cut sheets that can be bonded.

The cast acrylic (as i've now found out) does not warp, especially not when glued together.

My reason for acrylic over glass is that the seams are much nicer, it's alot lighter, its stronger and has alot better light transmission properties than glass.

I find that the prices are very reasonable too. For example, a 6mm thick 60x40cm sheet costs only 8 euros cut to size (approx. $10) - And yes that is the highest quality cast acrylic.

I think i can get my cabinet redone for little over 50 euros in acrylic

 

But did you use cell cast acrylic or extruded acrylic? The most readily available is the cheaper extruded which will expand and contract along the extruding direction causing the warping.

The cell cast should not warp at all from what i've read.

I think i can make the structure so that it does not warp, but i'm just having difficulties coming up with a design for the front door.

If it doesn't warp at all it won't be any issue of course. I think i will make a hinging front face instead of sliding doors, so it falls flush with the tank walls.

I'm actually getting quite excited about the acrylic, they have milk-white and matte versions too and there's alot more possibilities to make more complex designs.