Aquarium - Laser Cut & UV Printed Acrylic

This week we're finally done our laser cut and UV printed aquarium. Made with our 10mm thick TroGlass Clear cast acrylic on an SP 500 laser cutting machine. We've combined this project with our Mutoh ValueJet 426UF UV printed acrylic.

(Artwork File Attached)

Step 1: Laser Cut and Engrave the Acrylic

First, we laser cut our clear acrylic using the Trotec SP500 200w laser cutter. The cutting power is 100 and the speed is 0.4. We've engraved our logo and a graphic on the front panel, engraving power 75 with 100 speed.

Where to get 10mm acrylic: https://www.engraving-supplies.ca/acrylic-sheets/...

Trotec machines: https://www.troteclaser.com

Step 2: UV Printing the Back

We then use our Mutoh ValueJet 426UF UV printer to print our aquarium background on the back panel. Make sure to print White-On-Colour. Having white behind the colour will make the colours much more vibrant and vivid.

Step 3: Assembly and Gluing

We then assemble the aquarium and glue the edges together using methyl chloride which is a great acrylic adhesive as it doesn't leave any streaks and is quite strong.

Step 4: Sealing and Taping

We then seal the inside edges using aquarium-safe silicon sealant. And tape the outer edges with masking tape to hold it all together, and leave it to for 48 hours.

Step 5: Decorating

We decorate the aquarium with rocks, toy castles and foliage that you can purchase in any pet store.

Step 6: Adding Water and Fish

We add water 4/5th of the way of the aquarium, add aquarium solution and let it set for 48 hours. We then added 3 goldfish to a tank about 18"x12"x11". Added a store bought filter and we're ready to go!

Comments

[tlcampbell]

Is the UV printing you use safe for the fish if it was on the inside of the tank in the water? and would it last in the water? Thanks

[Jobar007]

Silicone and Acrylic will eventually fail over time, just as a warning.

Looks great and an excellent use of a laser cutter for a more everyday application.

[Trotec Laser Canada]

Thats good to know, thanks for that!

[GamerChick5567]

Cool nano tank. Would be excellent for a betta or gourami (or a crayfish? lol) with live plants too. The comet goldfish will outgrow it quick though, you should make a big huge one haha. Hopefully you also added some used media or bacteria for the fish-in cycle too, goldfish are messy. Good luck. :)

[Trotec Laser Canada]

Thanks, our boss has a coy pond so she said she'll take them if they get too big :)