Acrylic and glue question

[Gimplar]

I'm currently in the process of a DIY refugium. I've gotten everything together and i've been useing silicone to bond it together... which i soon found out wasnt that great of an idea. when i did a test fill, i guess the silicone gave way and the bottom leaked like mad. Anyone know what i should use? could i use super glue, PVC epoxy, gorilla glue, or is there something else i should use?any advice would be great. i was thinking of using silicone again to make a water seal and then doing the outside borders with gorilla glue inorder to keep the acrylic bonded so it wont bow and cause the silicone to stretch and give way. the refugium has braces, its just the bottom piece that doesnt have much support.

 

[fsuraven]

I have been reading there is a product called weld-on, there are different strengths/thicknesses depending on what you are useing it for. I guess it permenately bonds the acrylic together.
http://www.interstateplastics.com/accessories/adhesives.aspx

 

[stevemc]

You cant use silicone on acrylic. Weld-on is the best. It is a thinner with ground up acrylic in it and the thinner dries up leaving melted acrylic in the seam, the thinner melts your acrylic and it fuses together. You could use heavy duty PVC glue which is the same thing-thickened thinner. Clean the edges and sand to make flat, use a jig to hold it at a perfect 90. I use 2 boards screwed together at a 90 degree. Just lay the pieces in as you want them and put the glue on the seam and it should go in and bond. Let it harden and do the outside. Repeat on all joints. Clean very good as silicone will really screw up any bonds, once its been put on, so clean it well.

 

[Gimplar]

Ok, i'll get some, thanks!

 

[Gimplar]

ok well, i bought something called Marine Adhesive Sealent...the home depot didnt have weld on...or the guy had never even heard of it. but i explained exactly what i was doing and he told me that it would work. Anyone have any experience with this item or if its safe to use lol. it said it was saltwater resistant, but i just dont want any chemicals leeching into my tank.

 

[Bono]

I've used that sealant but I think it's more like silicone than Weld-on so I wouldn't trust it. Like steve said you need a solvent that wels the piece's together. I just made a sump and I used Weld-on 16 which is the thickest, although it's about the consistency of olive oil. I can't remember were I got it but if you google Weldon you should find it. I don't think I would trust anything else as a blowout would be a disaster.

 

[grayfis1]

Plastic places sells weld-on (make sure get weld-on #4) you're not going to find it HD. Yellow pages under plastic who ever sells acrylic sheets should carry them. Go on DIY forum do some reading about gluing acrylic (there's a lot of good info.) before you build your refugium.

 

[wsurf4me]

Plastics America on Adamo drive sells weld-on 3, 4 and 16 I think. Also nice people willing to answer questions.

 

[stevemc]

The marine adhesive is probably 3-M 5200. Its a polyureathane. It is good and permanant, but might not work on acrylic. Use Weld-on. I have used heavy duty clear PVC glue, its thickened regular PVC glue. I have used regular PVC glue( not too thickened)too with great results, some things are still working years later. They have that at HD. See my other post reply up above. But Weld-on is the best. Mainly because you can get exactly which thickness or viscosity you need.

 

[bkwudzjeep]

I agree with the above....get some weld-on. I have used it before to make some overflow boxes and it works great. The 3 and 4 is like water. The 16 is much thicker.

I think the 4 takes a bit longer to cure, but only a difference of minutes if I remember right.

 

[mflamb]

Call Dan at 283-1200. It's a plastics place in Brandon near the corner of Hwy 60 and Hwy 301. They sell acrylics and weld on products.