Reptile & Amphibian Forums

been searching on internet for a while, and id like to kno how everyone else does it with just plexiglass. i dont want a wood frame. i have 4 sheets of plexiglass that are 48"x24" and im gona make the tank 4ft x 2ft x 2ft (LxWxH). is the best way to use plastic cement? how do u hold the pieces together while it dries? ... i know they are called 'clamps' but i cant find them on any websites (home depot etc..)

Its done with a solvent called IPS weldon #4 or #16

Ones a water thin solventthats applied with a syringe applicator bottle. The other is a thicker solvet that can be brushed on .These only take from seconds to a few minutes to dry /Sign shops carry it called metyhol chloride. With these use need a clean and and then you simply apply it to the edge and it bonds almost asap.It will take some careful use or the solvent will mess up the plexi if it gets on the surface anywhere else .
Do a search on IPS weldon
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I prefer to use the water-thin product. Then I use masking tape to hold the edges together and inject it along the edge. The solvent wicks into the joint.

You can use cheap corner clamps to hold the very ends of the panels in addition to the tape but they're not absolutely necessary. Still use the tape every few inches after the clamps.

A few tips:

1) Leave the paper wrap on the acrylic except for where the panels will meet. You will almost certainly drip solvent on the panels and it will scar the finish.

2) Prep your edges perfectly. The better prepared they are the less likely small cracks will form along the edges. I believe this is called "crazing". You'll want to avoid crazing.

3) Do an internet search on building acrylic aquaria. There are numerous links. Read as much as you can.

4) Practice as much as possible. If you won't have any scrap acrylic leftover from your project then see if you can get some from glass and plastic shops.