sourcing acrylic sheets

[Tyler Strange]

best place to source 3/8" acrylic sheets... quick google searches reveals the usual suspects ( Lowes, the depot etc.) I don't mind buying from them if they're the best option but would appreciate some insight from the community.. I'm located in north central Louisiana fyi. Thanks

[Fish Folk]

Gotta ask: are you trying to build custom aquarium lids?

[Guppy Guy]

I have no problem sourcing acrylic, I just can’t find it at a good price. I need a 20x30” sheet for an aquarium I am building, but I can only buy it as a 8x12 ft. sheet. A little big, and really expensive at $180. 

If you are trying to source it, ask around for a local plastics company. Of course, there are also online retailers like the one @eatyourpeas gave me, which is professional plastics. I have no experience with them, but I know that eatyourpeas likes them. 

[Tyler Strange]

On 2/24/2022 at 1:41 PM, Fish Folk said:

Gotta ask: are you trying to build custom aquarium lids?

I was brainstorming on how to build a raceway for some freshwater mussels. initially I was thinking of an acrylic tank of sorts with maybe a false bottom. I've since found some plans on how to use PVC and power heads that will achieve the recirculating high flow that I'm trying to emulate. PVC and Power heads will be much cheaper than building something from scratch out of acrylic.

[Tyler Strange]

On 2/26/2022 at 7:59 AM, Guppy Guy said:

I have no problem sourcing acrylic, I just can’t find it at a good price. I need a 20x30” sheet for an aquarium I am building, but I can only buy it as a 8x12 ft. sheet. A little big, and really expensive at $180. 

If you are trying to source it, ask around for a local plastics company. Of course, there are also online retailers like the one @eatyourpeas gave me, which is professional plastics. I have no experience with them, but I know that eatyourpeas likes them. 

Thanks Guppy Guy for the links and the reply... I've settled on a design I found online that uses PVC and power heads to recreate a river flow system. It'll be much cheaper than building something from scratch out of acrylic. When I get it built I'll post some pics.