acrylic cement --> INFO NEEDED

[acdraindrps]

I am in the process of building an internal overflow out of acrylic. The method everyone in the hobby uses is weld on #3 and #16 with the capillary method. I went to Great Lakes Plastic today to buy the cement and the man there was asking what I was building. I had told him what it was for and he advised highly against using the cements for an aquarium, because it wouldnt be safe for the livestock. He said people have called there asking to build sumps and they won't do it. He also said they do not garuntee anything they make to be watertight, which is a totally different topic....

I was just wondering if anyone here knows how safe these products actually are after a full "cure" and how long this curing process would take before I could use it in my system.

 

[shag26272]

weldon#4 is what you want 3 is going to be too thin, im learning to do it myself right now, it wont affect the livestock

 

[Acrylics]

Well, hmm, the man there is incorrect. That simple.
For a full cure in 1/4" acrylic, figure a week or so but 72hrs is fine. Many use parts after 24hrs with no ill effects but it's not a "full cure". Hope this makes sense

James

 

[SushiChef]

As I understand it, when the weld-on dries it basically becomes apart of the acrylic. Nothing unsafe about it at all; people join whole tanks together with this stuff.

 

[rabid frog]

I think thats a problem with local suppliers. They are not used to people buying acrylic or cements from them for the purpose building tanks,overflows,fuges, etc. They are used to people buying their supplies for industrial purposes. When faced with questions about their products the first thought that comes to mind is saltwater live stock = serious cash. We do not want to be liable for said expenses so therefore our supplies are not reccomended for aquariums.

That is just my view. I recently went to our local plastic supplier for acrylic and glue. We are having a DIY nano contest for our local reef club. I ran into the same comments. Realistically the suppliers have no idea what their supplies can or cannot do for salt/fresh water aquariums.

Once again this is just my thougts on the subject.

 

[skey44]

good thing for RC and local reefers!!!