Cutting acrylic bracing

[reefmaster719]

I have a seaclear 46bowfront already running and have been thinking about cutting the bracing for a hob protein skimmer on the back side. It only has two rectangle holes in the middle to put rock in since its all braced around the top in quarter inch acrylic. Could I just jigsaw a hole in the back for this skimmer?? Thanks.

 

[Cake_Boss]

Re: Cutting acrylic bracing

How thick of acrylic? What height is your tank? Assuming you could get away with that idea, acrylic has a tendency to break, so a jigsaw might not be the best idea.

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[reefmaster719]

Re: Cutting acrylic bracing

How would I remove this little piece then? I need a good 6x3 inch piece taken out. The acrylic is 1/4 inch.

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[master NooB]

I just cut some acrylic and the guys at the plastics shop told me if I use a saw make sure it's fine toothed or a high speed router and the told me to just go slow so for a tube that I had to cut I used a 4-1/2 inch circular saw with a 78 tooth blade that was ment for vinyl... It cut super easy just like p.v.c. And I had to cut a section out of my first sump which was 1/4 inch acrylic and I used my dremmel tool with a router bit and it cut like butter I didn't use a lot of force with either just kind of let the saw and the dremmels weight cut it... Just my experience hope it helps

 

[reefmaster719]

Re: Cutting acrylic bracing

So you used a jigsaw or a dremel? I was thinking hard about using my new dremel. Can you post pics of your tools if you don't mind. Thanks.

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[Cake_Boss]

Re: Cutting acrylic bracing

How did you attach the bit to the dremmel? Which dremmel? I'm very interested in doing this.

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[reefmaster719]

Re: Cutting acrylic bracing

I need to do this soon. But they do make multiple bits for the dremel as an attachment. I'm interested in which BIT to use on acrylic.

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[daverf]

I have a seaclear 46bowfront already running and have been thinking about cutting the bracing for a hob protein skimmer on the back side. It only has two rectangle holes in the middle to put rock in since its all braced around the top in quarter inch acrylic. Could I just jigsaw a hole in the back for this skimmer?? Thanks.

why not cut/mod the skimmer? i dont think its worth the risk to cut tank structural bracing.

 

[master NooB]

I can't post pics on here but if you guys pm me your number I would be more than happy to text pictures of the saw and dremmel tool I used as well as the bit and blade