The Top 4 Reasons to Use Acrylic Sheeting for Window aquariums

When you think of clear aquarium windows, you most likely think of traditional sheets of glass. Traditional glass is used in many aquarium settings in addition to everyday doors and windows, but with the development of polycarbonate sheets and acrylic sheets, they are now both popular alternatives to glass applications. So, why should you choose acrylic plastic sheets instead of traditional glass for aquarium windows? There are many reasons, but we will discuss the top four.

Save costs

If you're a cost-conscious business owner or consumer, you'll be happy to know that plexiglass panels are a financially conservative alternative to glass. Plastics like acrylic sheets cost less and use less energy to produce and are lighter than glass, so shipping and transportation costs are lower. Actual product cost savings depend on the type of acrylic sheet you purchase. In addition, there is no need to purchase additional coatings and films for plexiglass sheets because you can buy plexiglass with these qualities, such as impact-resistant modified acrylic sheets, UV-filtering plexiglass, UV-transmitting plexiglass, etc.

Safety and Strength

There are many large-scale aquarium projects that have high pressure resistance requirements for transparent window materials. The impact strength of acrylic panels is 17 times that of glass, which means it takes more force to break acrylic than to break glass. When you use acrylic sheets for window glass, you no longer have to worry about someone getting hurt if the glass breaks. The unique thing about a Plexiglas sheet is that while it is extremely difficult to break, it can be broken, however, it will not break into a thousand tiny, dangerous pieces.

Creativity and ease of use

While these are two separate advantages, acrylic sheet's ease of use is directly related to its ability to be used creatively. Acrylic sheets are easier to cut than glass. Acrylic sheets can be cut much like wood, using similar tools such as routers, scoring tools, or table saws. Additionally, plexiglass sheets weigh about half as much as glass, which makes it easier to move, cut, and install. Because it is easy to cut and is lightweight compared to traditional glass, acrylic sheets are ideal for making aquarium windows. Glass is not practical when designing aquarium windows, it is too brittle and hard, and the flexible polymers in Plexiglas allow for custom shapes and designs. In addition, acrylic panels come in a variety of styles, including colored acrylic panels and curved special-shaped acrylic panels.

Optical transmission

One of the best reasons to purchase acrylic plastic sheets instead of traditional glass is to eliminate glare and reflections. The transparency of plexiglass sheets allows more than 90% of light to pass through, making it more transparent than glass. Glass reflects more light, and the thicker the glass, the more fading you'll notice. However, no matter the thickness of the plexiglass, it always remains transparent.

Once you look at all the benefits of acrylic sheets over traditional glass in window applications, it makes sense that manufacturers have been choosing plexiglass for years. That’s not to say traditional glass doesn’t have its benefits, but Plexiglas is a more durable, versatile, and economical alternative to glass.

Flat window aquarium：

Name	Size	Thickness	Other details
Aquarium performance           large window	18713*4800mm	330mm	35570kgs
Shark pond	6300*3350mm	200mm	5065kgs

Curved window aquarium：

Name	Size	Thickness	Other details
Arc window of Xuzhou Aquarium	20*2.8m	180mm
	13.417*2.96m	200mm
	10.4*2.96m	160mm
	6.3*2.96m	160mm

Advantages of acrylic underwater windows

Leyu Acrylic, which integrates the production, production and sales of plexiglass sheets, specializes in supplying and installing various types of acrylic underwater windows for different applications. Acrylic is a clear plastic that is ideal for this application. Glass quickly becomes too heavy and fragile, while acrylic is lighter and is a highly shatter-resistant material. Acrylic windows are therefore easier and safer to install, with minimal risk of breakage, making them the ideal material for your underwater window solution.

Quality of acrylic underwater windows

Acrylic has many qualities, depending on the purity of the substrate and the quality of the production process. This creates a difference in acrylic types. Leyu acrylic is produced using 100% Lucite raw materials. For this reason we often use Plexiglas® Acrylic. Leyu Acrylic is an acrylic brand with high-quality performance.

Highest light transmittance

The light transmittance (LTA coefficient) of acrylic is as high as 92%, while the light transmittance of glass is usually less than 80%. This makes acrylic ideal for underwater windows as it enhances the luxurious effect. Acrylic also has a higher LTA factor compared to many other types of acrylic (PMMA). Cheaper PMMA loses its light transmittance over time (windows become dull), while Plexiglas remains very high over a longer period of time.

Maintenance and flexibility

Acrylic also has a very smooth structure, making it difficult for dirt to adhere to the surface. This aspect also enhances the appearance of underwater windows and reduces maintenance and cleaning costs.

A third important advantage of Plexiglas is that it can be quickly processed into many sizes, making it highly flexible. Glass offers much less flexibility. Therefore, we can achieve virtually any size underwater window. Through bonding, heating and specific grinding processes we can provide windows in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Safety

At Leyu Acrylic, safety comes first. Our engineers know exactly how thick your windows should be and what profile will work best for your situation.

Overview

Modern technologies and materials have provided attractive exhibitions that were simply not possible not so long ago. For example, did past generations imagine a place where they could stand at room temperature while watching polar bears swim overhead? Or slide safely through a clear tube in shark-infested waters? Probably not, but this Surreal experiences are achievable.

Acrylic is used in many places today. Modern aquarium and zoo windows are almost exclusively made of this material, which can be made in almost any shape or size, is lighter than glass, stronger than concrete, and completely transparent.

Flat:

The most common type of aquarium exhibit is based on flat acrylic panels. Such windows can be rectangular or circular, small or large. What they all have in common is the ability to safely retain moisture and remarkable clarity. The thickness and shape of the panels will be the result of many factors, including size and the species of animals inside.

Today's aquarium visitors have come to expect panels of a certain size. So-called "mega panels" can range in length from a small semi-trailer to the length of a commercial airliner. All such windows are made possible by chemical bonds that allow multiple panels to fuse together. However, as with many acrylic manufacturers, there are often unsightly ties that ruin the illusion the public is after, a momentary feeling that they are somehow immersed in an underwater world rather than standing outside. Only recently has there been a way to truly erase bonds from the public eye.

How to ensure the safety of an acrylic fish tank

Even after you've decided what thickness of acrylic is best to use for your aquarium, there are several safety measures you should consider to make it last longer. These include:

Assembly process

place

support

Regular maintenance

Assembly process

When making an acrylic fish tank, the acrylic sheets should not stick together. Instead, they are welded together through a chemical process. So, make sure you don’t have any glue or silicone on your tank.

Additionally, aquarium pieces of this type are typically not parallel or flat, and the parts must withstand constant pressure during assembly. It is best to hire a professional service person who is experienced in the welding process and use high-quality materials.

If not handled properly, solvent bubbles and puddles may develop.

Place

As mentioned before, placement plays an important role in choosing acrylic thickness and ensuring the safety of your aquarium. First, you must choose an ideal location that is not exposed to direct sunlight. Remember, this material is still made of plastic and is not UV resistant. So, when exposed to constant UV rays, it starts to develop a yellowish tint, disrupting clarity. (If you choose Leyu Acrylic, you will not have such worries. The acrylic panels produced by Leyu Acrylic have UV resistance and can effectively avoid this problem)

Although acrylic aquariums can be built within walls, you should make sure there isn't too much activity around them. This will prevent your fish tank from being damaged and scratched. Although acrylics have better impact resistance, they can be scratched easily.

Next, you should carefully measure the space. Plan your fish tank according to your desired location to avoid any difficulties later. You can easily calculate how thick an acrylic wall should be with the right proportions. Don’t neglect this step as it will ensure your fish tank is strong and durable.

Finally, you can set up your aquarium and connect your pipes easily. This will be beneficial in the long run when you need water changes and regular maintenance.

Regular maintenance

Regular maintenance is a must for any aquarium. You should also know how to care for it after learning how thick an acrylic aquarium needs to be? This will further improve the quality of the aquarium and ensure it lasts as long as possible.

Part of the normal maintenance process includes a thorough cleaning of the fish tank. This process involves carefully picking which chemicals are suitable for your acrylic fish tank.

Since the structure of this material is very porous, it can easily absorb any toxins that might compromise its integrity. Regardless of the thickness of the panel, always use compatible cleaning supplies.

You should also pay close attention to the chemical balance of your water to further ensure its safety. This is crucial for your fish and tank, so do it regularly.

In addition, you should avoid putting too many fish in the fish tank, not only fish but also decorations. If you don't have enough space to clean your fish tank, you might damage it in the process.

Many decorations have rough edges that can scratch the wall when pressed against it. Luckily, we offer scraping services.

Again, the thickness of the acrylic sheet won't prevent this, so it's largely up to you.

In conclusion

How thick does acrylic need to be for an aquarium? After discovering it, make sure you get exact measurements for your tank. This will help you calculate the ideal thickness based on height, length, water pressure, and structural integrity.

Remember, having a high-quality and safe aquarium ensures that no harm comes to your fish and the aquarium itself.

If you need help with this process, always contact a professional service that can get the job done for you. However, make sure they have long-standing experience in designing custom aquariums with high-quality materials. (Leyu Acrylic, with more than 20 years of experience in the aquarium industry, is very happy to help you)

Finally, maintain your acrylic fish tank regularly to ensure it lasts longer!

People also search for

Best place to buy acrylic sheets for aquarium

Cast acrylic sheets wholesale

Cell-cast acrylic sheets for aquarium

Where to buy cast acrylic sheets

Cast acrylic sheets for laser cutting

What type of acrylic for aquarium

Cell cast acrylic sheets near me

Cast acrylic sheet uses

Aquarium window acrylic sheets diy

Acrylic tunnel

Best place to buy acrylic sheets for aquarium

Advanced aquarium technologies

Aquarium window acrylic sheets amazon

Cylindrical acrylic tank