Acrylic pico resealing

[Tired]

I have a 4gal acrylic pico with an extremely slow leak along the bottom edge. Enough to produce a slight bit of moisture, and a very gradual salt buildup. Would it be possible for me to successfully fix this by emptying the tank and sealing with something along the inside edge? I'm reading that silicone is unlikely to work. What about superglue?

 

[aaronpentz]

Weldon would work. Along with some 2 part epoxy rated for portable underwater use.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[Tired]

That epoxy seems extremely visible. This is, unfortunately, a rimless tank, and I'd prefer the solution to not be especially obvious once there's some sand on it.

Is there any chance silicone will actually work? It doesn't need to be structural, it just needs to be watertight.

Or just weldon (which kind?) on its own?

 

[billdogg]

Weldon 4 would be my choice if it was a new tank. It is water thin and will readily wick into the joint. Because it is an older tank, I would suggest Weldon 16. It is much thicker and will allow you to place a bead that will cure in place.

jm.02

And thanks for reminding me - I need to get another tube of 16 to have on hand!

 

[Scrubber_steve]

That epoxy seems extremely visible. This is, unfortunately, a rimless tank, and I'd prefer the solution to not be especially obvious once there's some sand on it.

Is there any chance silicone will actually work? It doesn't need to be structural, it just needs to be watertight.

Or just weldon (which kind?) on its own?

clear non pressure pvc cement

 

[aaronpentz]

That epoxy seems extremely visible. This is, unfortunately, a rimless tank, and I'd prefer the solution to not be especially obvious once there's some sand on it.



Is there any chance silicone will actually work? It doesn't need to be structural, it just needs to be watertight.



Or just weldon (which kind?) on its own?

They do make a clear plastic ready 2 part epoxy. I recently bought some at the hardware store. It has a very little yellowish tint to it. I mean barely visible. But Weldon 4 or 16 would be best. Silicone wont stick to acrylic. So it might seal for 5 min

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[Tired]

OK, bought a tube of Weldon 16 online. It'll be here in a couple days.

How long after I apply it can I put the corals, fish, etc back?

I do have a photo tank (very, very narrow, tiny aquarium, basically) that I tried to build out of part glass, part acrylic, using silicone as a glue. It held watertight until it had been moved around a few times, then it started to give. Now I know why! I hadn't thought to check if silicone bonded to acrylic.

 

[Tired]

Took a swing at it. Not sure I'm going to like how this looks when it dries, though- it's a rimless, very clean tank. We'll see.

Is the tube supposed to not have a seal on it? I unscrewed the lid after taking it out of the bag and it was just open.

 

[billdogg]

Just recap it tightly so that it doesn't harden in the tube too soon.

 

[huizhou]

you rock

 

[Tired]

No, I mean, when you open it the first time. You know how you get a new tube of toothpaste, and it has the little foil thing underneath the cap, for security? I feel like a product that falls out of the tube when you open it should have that also.