How to Make a Bait Tank From Acrylic
- 1). Cut four pieces of acrylic with a table saw to the length and width you want the finished tank to be. These will be the walls of the tank.
- 2). Rough up the vertical edges of each of the wall pieces with a piece of sandpaper. This will help the pieces of acrylic bond.
- 3). Arrange the wall pieces so they form the closed shape of the tank and seal the joints with a thick layer of silicone caulk. Use a caulk gun to bond the inside and outside of each corner. Use clamps to secure the walls in the correct position and let the silicone dry and harden.
- 4). Place the walls on top of another piece of acrylic and trace its shape with a marker. Repeat this tracing process on second piece of acrylic.
- 5). Cut both of the traced pieces of acrylic along the markings with the table saw and sand the edges smooth. These pieces will be the floor and the lid of the tank.
- 6). Lay the floor piece on top of the walls and, using the silicone, secure it in place. Make sure you put silicone on the inside and outside along all edges. Hold the inlet and outlet hoses of the bait tank filter to the bottom of the shorter side of the acrylic walls. Trace the openings of the hoses with a marker. The tracing must not be over the joint formed with the tank bottom.
- 7). Cut out the traced holes on the wall with a hole saw. Test fit the hoses in the holes. If there is any friction, make the holes wider until the hoses fit well. Insert about 1/4 of an inch of the hoses into the holes and seal them in place by applying silicone around the hose on both sides of the wall to make the seal watertight.
- 8). Wrap the exterior of the tank with insulating wrap. Tape down the insulating wrap with plumber's tape to keep it secure. You need to cover the walls and floor of the tank as well. Cover the lid separately.
- 9). Fill the tank with bait and water and connect the filter plug to a power source. Lay the lid on top of the tank and remove it when you need to look inside.
