How To Fix Leak In Acrylic Tank?

[FishWishDish]

How do you fix an acrylic tank? Does the glass sealant work on acrylic too? It doesn't say it does, which leaves me wondering whether acrylic tanks are in essence disposable tanks?!

Thanks for your help!

 

[Colin_T]

Glass silicon does not work on acrylic. You need an acrylic glue that actually melts the perspex together to form the bond. If you have a perspex tank with a crack in you can buy a piece of perspex the same thickness as the tank and glue it in place (as a patch) with some acrylic glue. Most hardwares sell sheets of perspex and they should be able to get you the glue. If not ask your LFS if they can get you a small amount of the glue from their acrylic tank supplier. You might even be able to find someone online who deals with acrylics and get some glue from them.

 

[Rooster]

Superglue IS acrylic adhesive ! Best to get the joint clean and dry first...

 

[MoondustBob]

Superglue IS acrylic adhesive ! Best to get the joint clean and dry first...

Can anyone confirm this?


I've got half a tonne of perspex in my lockup. Might start a production line

 

[Rooster]

Superglue is "Cyanoacrylate" the clue is in the ACRYLATE

 

[Dorkhedeos]

Superglue is an acrylic based product, however, it doesnt form strong bonds with acrylic(at least not that I know of). Superglue is a type of acrylic resin that forms strong bonds when exposed to moisture. You can use it, but you will get discoloring in the plastic, so its up to you. If you are going to get another sheet to patch up the crack with, I would use weldon #3. If you just want to put something over it that will fill and fix the leak, I would go with weldon #40, but this is a 2 part mixture so its kinda harder to do, but it is worth the trouble.

Edit: Oh yeah, since its gonna need to be water tight, I wouldnt use super glue if I were you. Your decision though If you suspect the seams to be leaking, go with weldon #40, the mixture is 100 parts to 5 parts of catalyst I believe.

 

[MoondustBob]

Superglue is "Cyanoacrylate" the clue is in the ACRYLATE

Was there any need for that?

Superglue is an acrylic based product, however, it doesnt form strong bonds with acrylic(at least not that I know of). Superglue is a type of acrylic resin that forms strong bonds when exposed to moisture. You can use it, but you will get discoloring in the plastic, so its up to you. If you are going to get another sheet to patch up the crack with, I would use weldon #3. If you just want to put something over it that will fill and fix the leak, I would go with weldon #40, but this is a 2 part mixture so its kinda harder to do, but it is worth the trouble.

Edit: Oh yeah, since its gonna need to be water tight, I wouldnt use super glue if I were you. Your decision though If you suspect the seams to be leaking, go with weldon #40, the mixture is 100 parts to 5 parts of catalyst I believe.

Thanks, didn't think superglue would be ok.

 

[Rooster]

Was there any need for that?

Probably not, but it is blindingly obvious ! lol


Try sticking a couple of bits of acrylic together with superglue.... then tell me the bond isnt "good"
One word of advice, buy a good brand glue - loctite etc, theres a vast difference in qualities out there.

 

[rabbut]

I agree with Rooster. I have used Superglue on acrilic before and it is IME at least a very good bonder for this type of work, and waterproof .

 

[Dorkhedeos]

Kinda funny how none of us asked this, but how big is your tank?

 

[FishWishDish]

Thanks - can someone maybe post a link to the products that might help?

I think they may be tricky to find in the store and the Petsmarts don't have anything for repairing acrylic tanks.

 

[FishWishDish]

Kinda funny how none of us asked this, but how big is your tank?

Sorry, missed this -- it's a 10 gallon.

 

[tyyrlym]

Ya know, for what it'll cost you to fix it you could probably just get a brand new one if its that small. I'm not normally a throw it away kind of guy, but you won't have to fuss with fixing it or worry that your patch might leak again down the road with a new one.

 

[matt20687]

use a plaster

 

[Arachnidzone]

found this great stuff, duno about acrylic, sure its been tried though so ask the shop!!!

http/www.twenga.co.uk/offer/200437998.html