leaking acrylic tank - repair tips?

Strider85 · 10/15/2010, 09:57 PM

I recently got a large frag tank 8'x2'x1' made of 1/2"-3/4" acrylic. Upon filling it, I've noticed at least one corner seam is leaking. I believe the back corner is too but it's in a compromising spot where I can't quite see behind it when it's full (too wide and nothing safe to lean on to peek back there). I've drained 90% of the water back out, and now I need to reinforce the tank seams.

What product would you guys recommend to reseal this? I plan on caulking all the interior seals just to be safe... not going for aesthetics here, just trying to make it leak proof. Any advice is appreciated!

Chris

Chelsey · 10/15/2010, 11:11 PM

Weld-on 40...good luck finding it! If it's acrylic I really don't think that caulking is gonna cut it...

twiggyb · 10/16/2010, 06:09 AM

I have ordered some acrylic weld before off the internet. I'll see if I can find the address

twiggyb · 10/16/2010, 06:13 AM

Found it! Quicker than I thought

http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/Plexiglass_Glue

Strider85 · 10/16/2010, 07:45 AM

Can you put this Weld-On into the corners of the tank like you would silicone caulk, or would you have to take the tank apart and reglue the seams?

twiggyb · 10/16/2010, 08:23 AM

I've never used it personally, but it drys super quick from what I've read on some forums. It's like welding, but with plastic

Anybody else used it before?

Chelsey · 10/16/2010, 09:22 AM

It depends on what number of weld-on you get, 40 is about the consistency of melted carmel, while 3 is about like working with water. I'm not sure about taking the tank apart and regluing the seams vs "caulking" but I think that regluing the seams would be better.

Tigé21v · 10/16/2010, 09:44 AM

Probably best to get some square acrylic rod and weld-on in the inside corners where its leaking.
Check out what kcress did to fix a similar problem.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...1869655&page=7

Post #312

Hope it helps.

logiktest · 10/16/2010, 01:32 PM

Silicon caulk is not the correct way to fix acrylic. Acrylic needs to be chemically bonded/welded, i.e. Weld-On. It's going to depend on how large of a gap you have in your leak to decide the correct Weld-On number to use for the repair.

A thin Weld-on could be used to reinforce all the seams... Be careful with any Weld-On because it will instantly blemish any acrylic it comes in contact with.

Here's a few hundred pages of acrylic related repair and fabrication questions/answers to help get you started:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...18#post9339518

streak · 10/16/2010, 02:13 PM

Weld on 3 4 usually is really thin and fast as hell setting.. and construction grade setting.. that said if you had a reinforcing square or rod it would be perfect to wic into place for a perfect seal from what i read on melvreef. Now you could repair smaller problems directly with #15 if they werent that deep but that would cause crasing(sp?) where the acrylic would form small pressure cracks where the weld took place.

I would use the above mention method of using a rod or sqare piece to reseal the corner. on the inside first and then maybe a little on the outside heck you might have to even drill into the spot with a tiny drill to fill with shavings and add weldon to get the bubbles out..

Strider85 · 10/17/2010, 07:50 PM

Ok sounds like my best bet is to put the square acrylic rod in the INSIDE seams... problem is I couldn't really pinpoint the leaks. I'm going to reinforce the entire tank so I don't have to drain it again in the near future. So, I'm wanting Weld-On 3? 4? And any place local that sells the a-rod or do I have to go online? (Local is DEFINITELY preferable here, I need to get this tank up and running STAT!)

Thanks guys and gals,

Chris

geoxman · 10/17/2010, 08:04 PM

Before you do all this "guessing" repair..Please give John at JBC plastics a call. If he does not answer then go see him and ask ??? He is located on Gravois and Jefferson. He does not always answer because he is running his machines. He is one of the better acrylic guys in STL. IMHO

http://www.jbcplastic.com/

Just drive down there and get there after 12 and he will help you and it will cost you nill if not free scraps from the trash heap! He also has the different weldon products for sale. good luck

Strider85 · 10/19/2010, 07:36 PM

Geo, thanks for the advice. John hooked me up - not even $15 for 24' of triangular acryl rod, weld-on and an applicator bottle. Tank is mended, I start the refill tonight, wish me luck everybody!

Nanook · 10/19/2010, 07:37 PM

good luck!

Dag · 01/30/2012, 11:11 PM

How did it work out and which Weld On did you use?

chadfarmer · 01/30/2012, 11:39 PM

weldon 40 u need a special gun that costs about 100 bucks to use weld on 12 would be fine

hampmp · 01/31/2012, 06:59 AM

Good luck! Hope all went well!

10/15/2010, 11:11 PM	#2
Chelsey Clownfish Addict Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Missouri Posts: 5,031	Weld-on 40...good luck finding it! If it's acrylic I really don't think that caulking is gonna cut it... __________________ Always bear in mind your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing. Current Tank Info: 100 gallon cube, 28 gallon snowflake tank, 2500 gallon broodstock system

10/16/2010, 06:13 AM	#4
twiggyb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: DeSoto, MO Posts: 3,813	Found it! Quicker than I thought http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/Plexiglass_Glue __________________ -Daniel- Love, grease and chicken peace! Chicken are people too. Current Tank Info: 29g since March 2012

10/16/2010, 08:23 AM	#6
twiggyb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: DeSoto, MO Posts: 3,813	I've never used it personally, but it drys super quick from what I've read on some forums. It's like welding, but with plastic Anybody else used it before? __________________ -Daniel- Love, grease and chicken peace! Chicken are people too. Current Tank Info: 29g since March 2012

10/16/2010, 09:22 AM	#7
Chelsey Clownfish Addict Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Missouri Posts: 5,031	It depends on what number of weld-on you get, 40 is about the consistency of melted carmel, while 3 is about like working with water. I'm not sure about taking the tank apart and regluing the seams vs "caulking" but I think that regluing the seams would be better. __________________ Always bear in mind your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing. Current Tank Info: 100 gallon cube, 28 gallon snowflake tank, 2500 gallon broodstock system

10/16/2010, 01:32 PM	#9
logiktest Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Zone 5 Posts: 4,071	Silicon caulk is not the correct way to fix acrylic. Acrylic needs to be chemically bonded/welded, i.e. Weld-On. It's going to depend on how large of a gap you have in your leak to decide the correct Weld-On number to use for the repair. A thin Weld-on could be used to reinforce all the seams... Be careful with any Weld-On because it will instantly blemish any acrylic it comes in contact with. Here's a few hundred pages of acrylic related repair and fabrication questions/answers to help get you started: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...18#post9339518 __________________ Mike Have you ever looked around at the group of people you are in and thought, "If the Zombie Apocalypse happens right now, this is what I have to work with." Current Tank Info: 140.5gal. goldfish bowl

10/15/2010, 09:57 PM	#1
Strider85 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Valley Park, MO Posts: 190	leaking acrylic tank - repair tips? I recently got a large frag tank 8'x2'x1' made of 1/2"-3/4" acrylic. Upon filling it, I've noticed at least one corner seam is leaking. I believe the back corner is too but it's in a compromising spot where I can't quite see behind it when it's full (too wide and nothing safe to lean on to peek back there). I've drained 90% of the water back out, and now I need to reinforce the tank seams. What product would you guys recommend to reseal this? I plan on caulking all the interior seals just to be safe... not going for aesthetics here, just trying to make it leak proof. Any advice is appreciated! Chris

10/16/2010, 06:09 AM	#3
twiggyb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: DeSoto, MO Posts: 3,813	I have ordered some acrylic weld before off the internet. I'll see if I can find the address __________________ -Daniel- Love, grease and chicken peace! Chicken are people too. Current Tank Info: 29g since March 2012

10/16/2010, 07:45 AM	#5
Strider85 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Valley Park, MO Posts: 190	Can you put this Weld-On into the corners of the tank like you would silicone caulk, or would you have to take the tank apart and reglue the seams?

10/16/2010, 09:44 AM	#8
Tigé21v Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: St. Charles, Mo. Posts: 1,369	Probably best to get some square acrylic rod and weld-on in the inside corners where its leaking. Check out what kcress did to fix a similar problem. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...1869655&page=7 Post #312 Hope it helps.

10/16/2010, 02:13 PM	#10
streak Reef Madness! Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Perryville, Missouri Posts: 616	Weld on 3 4 usually is really thin and fast as hell setting.. and construction grade setting.. that said if you had a reinforcing square or rod it would be perfect to wic into place for a perfect seal from what i read on melvreef. Now you could repair smaller problems directly with #15 if they werent that deep but that would cause crasing(sp?) where the acrylic would form small pressure cracks where the weld took place. I would use the above mention method of using a rod or sqare piece to reseal the corner. on the inside first and then maybe a little on the outside heck you might have to even drill into the spot with a tiny drill to fill with shavings and add weldon to get the bubbles out.. __________________ The Shoe String Budget Reef Aquarium. Possible?? Compared to 7 55 breeding Discus days well we see and try! :P Current Tank Info: 10g nano with 2 clowns 1 Royal Gorama 1 RBTA!

10/17/2010, 07:50 PM	#11
Strider85 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Valley Park, MO Posts: 190	Ok sounds like my best bet is to put the square acrylic rod in the INSIDE seams... problem is I couldn't really pinpoint the leaks. I'm going to reinforce the entire tank so I don't have to drain it again in the near future. So, I'm wanting Weld-On 3? 4? And any place local that sells the a-rod or do I have to go online? (Local is DEFINITELY preferable here, I need to get this tank up and running STAT!) Thanks guys and gals, Chris

10/17/2010, 08:04 PM	#12
geoxman Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in my office Posts: 3,848	Before you do all this "guessing" repair..Please give John at JBC plastics a call. If he does not answer then go see him and ask ??? He is located on Gravois and Jefferson. He does not always answer because he is running his machines. He is one of the better acrylic guys in STL. IMHO http://www.jbcplastic.com/ Just drive down there and get there after 12 and he will help you and it will cost you nill if not free scraps from the trash heap! He also has the different weldon products for sale. good luck __________________ "Why do you necessarily have to be wrong just because a few million people think you are?" F-Zappa Current Tank Info: an ice cube tray with brine shrimp in each cubicle Last edited by geoxman; 10/17/2010 at 08:15 PM.

10/19/2010, 07:36 PM	#13
Strider85 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Valley Park, MO Posts: 190	Geo, thanks for the advice. John hooked me up - not even $15 for 24' of triangular acryl rod, weld-on and an applicator bottle. Tank is mended, I start the refill tonight, wish me luck everybody!

10/19/2010, 07:37 PM	#14
Nanook Ancient Eskimo Legend Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 41,852 Blog Entries: 11	good luck! __________________ The wind blew, the chit flew, and then they came two by two. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Tank Info: 375g Tanganyikan Tank & 470g mixed reef

01/30/2012, 11:11 PM	#15
Dag Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,292	How did it work out and which Weld On did you use? __________________ Aryeh Life is too short to learn everything from experience. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon reef tank

01/30/2012, 11:39 PM	#16
chadfarmer Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ST Charles, MO far from nanook Posts: 11,045 Blog Entries: 1	weldon 40 u need a special gun that costs about 100 bucks to use weld on 12 would be fine __________________ If you think you know the answer than ask 3 more people the question Current Tank Info: 200 Gal RR,ATB medium, 4 AI blue sol,230 LBS LIVE ROCK, no sand , 40 GAL sump, airstar1800, 3 tunze 6105 1- 6205 1-6305, Geo 818, profilux3ex with toys

01/31/2012, 06:59 AM	#17
hampmp Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: St. Charles, MO Posts: 980	Good luck! Hope all went well!

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