DIY acrylic frag rack

[ahiggins]

Hey all! I've been meaning to work on my 40 gal breeder frag rack. Since I have the day off, I'm documenting it for you

Materials:
1/4" acrylic sheet. (I bought a black 12x24". You could also use 3/8") bought on amazon
Handheld power drill (make sure you have extra batteries)
White permanent marker (or black if you're using clear acrylic)
1/2" forstner bit
5 gal bucket
Old frag rack (template)
Vacuume

Pic of materials:

Step one:
Put the critters away...don't want them eating the acrylic bits.


Step two:
Mark where you want the holes to be.


Step three:
Start drilling!


Short break-battery died
I got through 38 and a half holes

 

[Pola0502ds]

I am in the process of making my own at work, i'm curious how you plan to attach it? It's this a rack that's getting attached to a side of the tank or is it sitting on the bottom? Mine will attached to the side so I need to some how attach my mag float to it..

A piece of advice since my company works with acrylic.. If you want to make each hole a little nicer, remove some burs, polish the edges, etc.. You can use a few different grits of sand paper on the higher end, hit each hole really quick, and then set up a torch. Pass over each hole with the torch and it will polish it right up.

 

[ahiggins]

Good info
It's going to sit on 6" risers. I wish it was a bit wider than 12" but it was $30 more expensive so I opted for 12" lol it was only $12 on amazon. This thing easily would have cost $60+ buying it from a vendor.
135 holes down and my battery died again haha
And it's just for the frag tank so it doesn't have to be perfect

 

[ahiggins]

Alright! After charging the battery forEVER, it's done and in the tank. There's a 3" space on either side of no holes
And area is all cleaned up. Everything is pretty ticked off since I had to take them out of the tank to transfer

 

[hyde7278]

Very nice. I made a small rack with some egg crate and some superglue.

I have a biocube 29 so don't have a lot of space.

 

[mannyhernz]

Alright! After charging the battery forEVER, it's done and in the tank. There's a 3" space on either side of no holes
And area is all cleaned up. Everything is pretty ticked off since I had to take them out of the tank to transfer

Nice slippers.

 

[ahiggins]

Very nice. I made a small rack with some egg crate and some superglue.

I have a biocube 29 so don't have a lot of space.

nice I had eggcrate but wanted to replace it for what seems like forever. it was just as simple as ordering acrylic and getting that drill bit.
My arms are very sore today lol

 

[ahiggins]

Nice slippers.

Oh, thank you! LOL
Theyre very comfy

 

[ahiggins]

Quick update since everyone is open and happy.
And a pic of my favorite palys
And a pic of Fred, the 4 legged brittle star who is always super shy lol

 

[cromag27]

Careful when flame polishing plastics. they can easily catch on fire and melt.

Here's a rack I made the other day. it's alright.

 

[Wiz]

Came out nice and some sweet frags too

 

[ahiggins]

Thanks wiz I love how it turned out!
And I like the sliding aspect of it cromag

 

[RickG]

Hey all! I've been meaning to work on my 40 gal breeder frag rack. Since I have the day off, I'm documenting it for you

Materials:
1/4" acrylic sheet. (I bought a black 12x24". You could also use 3/8") bought on amazon
Handheld power drill (make sure you have extra batteries)
White permanent marker (or black if you're using clear acrylic)
1/2" forstner bit
5 gal bucket
Old frag rack (template)
Vacuume

Pic of materials:

Step one:
Put the critters away...don't want them eating the acrylic bits.


Step two:
Mark where you want the holes to be.


Step three:
Start drilling!


Short break-battery died
I got through 38 and a half holes

Hey awesome frag rack! Was wondering if you could post the link to the acrylic sheet you bought, I can't find it

 

[SneakyTortuga]

Careful when flame polishing plastics. they can easily catch on fire and melt.

Here's a rack I made the other day. it's alright.

Do you have any tips on how to make one like this?