fish friendly silicone

[knoxtnreef]

I'm putting togethor my acrylic sump/fuge and have applied the adhesive liquid. I would also like to add a secondary line of defense in the form of silicone. Does anyone know where I can buy fish friendly silicone. I'd prefer to stay away from buying off the internet.

 

[awcurl]

Silicone will not bond to acrylic as it does to glass. It will eventually peel off.

 

[imsqueak]

I forget what the liquid adhesive is called but if you used the correct stuff sold at acrylic shops it bonds the pieces together so strong that it routinely breaks the acrylic before it breaks the bond. If I recall there's like 20wt and 60wt. The 20 is used to bond nice fitting pieces (just make sure there are no air bubbles and you have a great bond). If there are any air bubbles you can run the 60, which is thicker to give you that 2nd line of defense you are looking for.

 

[awcurl]

weldon

 

[knoxtnreef]

im not sure what the adhesive is but i used four metal clamps and rubber bands to apply pressure while I did the inital box. I have to wait 8 hours and I'll see if it leaks... wish me luck

images of sump and tank

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9882588@N03/763932621/in/photostream/

 

[dww]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10305023#post10305023 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by awcurl
Silicone will not bond to acrylic as it does to glass. It will eventually peel off.

Good info to know. My husband build’s model submariners, and he just put a battery box together for one of the subs, with silicone.

Donna

 

[knoxtnreef]

the sump leaked pretty bad. my clamps exposed gaps on the bottom........

this is a disapointing set back...I bought some Weld-On #16

this is a think industrial grade acrylic cement. I'll blast the corners with this stuff and hopefully resolve the issue. This is my first acrylic project..

 

[imsqueak]

I failed on my first overflow box, which was my first plastic project since high school. But then I built two more and two sumps. The second sump was a full 4x8' sheet that turned into about 60g sump with euro bracing. I was proud of that one.

If you need to thicken it, you can actually "melt" some acrylic in the weld-on. Just take some of the shavings from filing, put them in your applicator bottle and shake until dissolved.

 

[Runner]

You should use Weld-On #4 to seep into the seems where you connect the acrylic. It is a solvent and will actually "melt" the acryllic together. After that dries, follow up with the Weld-On #16 as a fillet at every joint. It has more solids in it and works more like a cement. A good method is to make the acryllic pieces slightly longer than needed, then router off the excess after you weld it all together (as noted, above).

If you need any pointers, just send me a message. I came darn near to building my own tank out of acryllic before I got scared off. I have built a few acryllic items and repaired a broken skimmer, too. I have a can of WeldOn #4 you are welcome to use if you like. But it is over a year old and may not be the best now, though. You can buy a new can of #4 for about $8 and an needle applicator bottle for about $4 at a local vendor. I can look up the info on the place I used if you need it.

-Scott

 

[Lint_Licker]

modelling glue bonds acrylic

 

[knoxtnreef]

Thanks for everyones advice.

I used the Weld-On 16 and this did the trick but it did cause the bottom to have uneven edges so I must now sand away un needed cement for my baffels. If I can't make the corners flat I'll just have to fill in the gaps at the bottom of the baffels to make a seal....I really don't care about the appearance since this going in the stand but I hate the fact I'm rigging this togethor.

Much learned!

 

[knoxtnreef]

OK, I have a generic idea of what my SUMP/FUGE will look like done. I have placed the baffles inside....I haven't glued anything yet. I want to wait and see if I'll do an internal or external return pump before doing so.... I wish there was more room for the refugium but I can't make it any longer...

SEE PICTURES HERE

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9882588@N03/778872431/

 

[ct_vol]

Hmmm, lets see if this works...

 

[ct_vol]

FYI that skimmer isn't going to be suitable for SPS... Well, maybe if you do more frequent water changes, weekly or at least bi-weekly... Oh, and a higher volume....

 

[knoxtnreef]

im open for brand suggestions. I need to get a couple brand measurement before I glue in the baffles that way I can make it wide enough for the biggest skimmer possible for future expansion. The one currently in there is just a start up genero.

also may not be able to use this sump for a refufuge since the area is so small.....it may have to much flow...I do have enough room under the stand for a second sump area if needed.

I need to signup and recruit some mentors to help me design a sump/plumbing setup