Seam failing! acrylic help please.

[davocean]

I tried this on DIY, but not much response there.
What I thought was sun damaged crazing on acrylic seam, looks like seam is failing.
I've already ordered a new tank, but that may be a few weeks out, so I'm wondering what I should do to help this last till then.
I was thinking about adding a 2" strip of acrylic to brace seam w/ IPS weldon #16, but will this just heat up and make it worse?
Appreciate any advice.
Pics,

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/seam002.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/seam001.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/seam003.jpg

[B.C.theReefer]

I'd say your idea would work. The great thing about weld on is that it's a solvent that actually melts the two peices into one. If you can drain the tank you could try the weld on 4. It is runnier than water and would re-seal the seam. I've made a couple of tanks and sumps using weld on 4. If a seam leaks a little the first time I put water in it, I just run another bead down both sides of it and the leak is gone. It's just alot harder to work with because it's so viscous that it tends to get places that I don't want it. Good luck!

[flyyyguy]

Is this damage growing?? if so......

I say screw trying to even fix the existing seam or emptying the tank.

You have a new tank on the way.

GEt two pieces of acrylic and create a new seam outside of the first. The first piece you glue on doesnt even have to be close to flush you can overhang farther than needed for display quality, so the next one you would slide right into it making the new invincible seam

it will be best this way as you could do it quickly and the end result will be as strong as it SHOULD have been in the first place.

Get in the yellow pages and find a tank maker or plastic supp;ly place that can cut you or refer you to someone who can cut you a couple pieces quick if you dont have the means yourself.

dont wait to do this..do it asap as you dont want this thing popping on you

good luck

[mcrist]

I hope your new tank isn't from the same manufacturer.

[Electrobes]

If you need an emergency support, I would tap the tank for support. It ain't pretty but should help you buy some time.

[davocean]

Thanks guys, I think I'm going to make an L shape brace(I think what Flyyguy kinda suggested) for temp hold.
Tank was used.
Brand new should come soon.

[davocean]

Where's that dude ACRYLIC when I need him?
Sorry to bump this, but I want to make sure I don't make this worse.

[mhurley]

I would do 2 things. A set of C-clamps to take the pressure off that seam and then yes, go with your 2" strip idea. That seam is about to fail, you need to get something on it....or empty the tank.

Honestly, for the effort you'd have to put in to patch it and the risk that still is there, I'd go buy a big Rubbermaid stock tank and drain the tank and move all the livestock.

I went through a similar failure, but it was with a cross brace, not a seam like this. I would not mess with a seam...you'll start with a drip to a stream to a burst.

[davocean]

Problem is I have 2 nems I've had for almost 6yrs now, that have never moved, trying to keep it that way, and setting up light filt in a rubbermaid is going to be difficult, and maybe unsafe if I don't do that right as well.
I believe I can make an L shape brace out of acrylic, but I'm getting conflicting info as to weather weldon will heat up old seam and actually make it worse.
That's why I was hoping to talk to someone in acrylics.
I just need this to last 2-3 weeks.
I'd hate to monkey rig a tub only to have flood or fire or even nems sucked into an intake.

[NaH2Ofreak]

Having them squished by a huge rock as they're hitting the floor wouldnt do them any good either. I personally would move everything OUT of the tank now. JMO

Dennis

[davocean]

I understand the obvious potential for disaster, we all have that possibility here whether you see it coming or not.
I want to do whats best for all my critters, and trying to avoid mistakes just rushing for a solution.
Getting my nems to detach w/out tearing foot is no easy task, and don't want to do that twice in a short span.
I'm sure a brace can be formed that can help make this last.
One person warned that some weldon chems heat acrylic, which can make it weaker b4 bond forms, that's the info I'm looking for from someone who really knows acrylic.
I could even use my 4 bar clamps w/ 1x or 2x, just seeking best solution.

[ooja3k]

I like the clamps and 1x or 2x idea.

You could also do some like tie-down straps with a ratcheting thingy so you could wrap them around your whole tank and hold it tight...

Ultimately though, even if the tank doesn't fall apart after the seam fails, you wouldn't probably still have water leaking out of it. Even though it is clamped together, the seam isn't held by anythign anymore... Does that make sense??

[fareforce]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12286928#post12286928 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by davocean
Getting my nems to detach w/out tearing foot is no easy task, and don't want to do that twice in a short span.

Not much help now, but when you do go to move your nem here is a trick. Put some ice cubes in a ziplock bag, and then run the ice along the foot of the nem. They will willingly let you uproot them then. Makes it a lot easier, and doesn't hurt them or risk tearing the foot.

As far as the tank goes. I do minimal acrylic work, but I do know that weldon #16 will not be hot enought to handle the kind of pressure. You will need weldon #3 or #4, but they are a hot weldon, and might make the seam worse.

What I would do it have an acrylic shop near you make a "L" bracket out of the same thickness as your existing tank (so you know the seam is near perfect). Have them make each side about 4" long, and the height of your tank. Next, take weldon #3 and run a bead on the outside edge of the "L" bracket (the furthest away from the seam), and also run a 1" strip of #3 along the top and bottom or the "L" bracket. Put in place, and clamp it until it cures. This will minamize the risk of the weldon heating up the seam (since only the top and bottom 1" will be exposed to the weldon). It will also help hold the seam together, and if the seam does fail, the "L" bracket will take the seam place. It will look ugly, but it should work!

Hope all of this helps some.

[davocean]

Thanks FAREFORCE, that is an excellent idea!
Weldon for strength, but keep heat away from seam itself.
Thank you.

[fareforce]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12287627#post12287627 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by davocean
Thanks FAREFORCE, that is an excellent idea!
Weldon for strength, but keep heat away from seam itself.
Thank you.

Let me know if it works, and keep us updated! :D

[tangdiver]

Riding along...who made the tank?

[fareforce]

Any update?

[drama07]

Wow that's just scary!

But look on the bright side it gives you the excuse to upgrade. :D I had a 29G glass crack on me one weekend and now I'm planning for a better tank.

There's always something good that comes out of bad.

Hope all goes well and keep us updated:)