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Acrylic ?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Jaked, Sep 6, 2012.

  1. Sep 6, 2012 #1
    Jaked

    Jaked

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    I bought a sump tonight for the 240, it's pretty decent size, nice thick acrylic. 36/20/16

    My question is, the final divider before the return pump section is only 5 inches tall, this will keep me from having the 6-6.5 inches required for the skimmer. Would it be possible to silicone a taller piece of acrylic or glass to the current divider? Or, is there another type of adhesive better suited for this?
     
  2. Sep 6, 2012 #2
    Pete H.

    Pete H. Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    If it is acrylic, I would think you would want to solvent weld a piece not silicon. It is my understanding silicon does not work on acrylic like it does glass.
     
  3. Sep 6, 2012 #3
    Kpotter2 North liberty, IA

    Kpotter2 Expert Reefkeeper

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    correct
     
  4. Sep 6, 2012 #4
    Jaked

    Jaked

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    Would this be ok to use?
    From reading the label it seems to be fine. Just not sure about the fish safe side of it..
    http://www.walmart.com/ip/Loctite-Epoxy-Plastic-Bonder/20470696
     
  5. Sep 6, 2012 #5
    ninjazx777 Des Moines, IA

    ninjazx777 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Where r u from? if your from Waterloo or desmoines go to fetal plastics and buy the solvent from them
     
  6. Sep 6, 2012 #6
    Killernights

    Killernights Inactive User

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    i wouldn't use the epoxy. Either get a sheet of acrylic and the solvent for it or you could TRY to get a peice of glass that's 6-6.5 inches tall and silicone it into place against the acrylic. The water pressure will keep it pushed against the 5in tall baffle that is already there and the silicone should keep it sealed since it wont have to try and hold the glass in place. Even if the silicone doesnt seal it 100%, it will keep the water level where you want it when ur return pump is going because enough water will be flowing through the sump that iw would build up behind the glass and flow over it faster than it leaking through the sides.
     
  7. Sep 6, 2012 #7
    Jaked

    Jaked

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    From West Union. Bout an hour from waterloo. I have a sheet of 1/4 acrylic to cut the piece out of.
     
  8. Sep 7, 2012 #8
    Bud West Des Moines, IA

    Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

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    I wouldn't use that as it says "resistant" to water, i.e. not fully waterproof and will likely fail eventually. Weld-on 16 would be good for this - not good for much else, but good for this. Also in a pinch you can use MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) it is about 4th on the list of "preferred" solvents for acrylic bonding, behind Methylene Chloride and Chloroform (yes) and a few other things. You can get MEK at most hardware stores. I haven't tried it myself so I would test it on a couple scraps. You should apply the same as MC, that is, you want a needle applicator.

    You can also just order the right stuff from Craftics www.craftics.net for a couple bucks if you're not in a rush. Get a 0.5 fl oz bottle w/22 guage needle (# 1106057) and the acrylic solvent (# 1106002) and you're good to go, or just get the #33 goop (same as WO 16) (#1106031)
     
  9. Sep 7, 2012 #9
    Bud West Des Moines, IA

    Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

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    Fetal! Haha dork. you and your autocorrect issues.
     
  10. Sep 7, 2012 #10
    Jamie

    Jamie Well-Known ReefKeeper Vendor

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    I've got the craftics solvent cement and weldon #16 here but I'm not to much closer than waterloo for you. The water in your sump needs to be higher than the baffle to flow over it correct? So why not just run the water at 6" it's only 1" over the baffle which would be about optimal anyway or is this not how the sump is setup? Just be sure in the case of a power outage or return pump failure that you have enough room for a back siphon without the sump overflowing on your floor.
     
  11. Sep 7, 2012 #11
    Jamie

    Jamie Well-Known ReefKeeper Vendor

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    Super glue is also a option for you since this is not a critical joint, it's also completely safe. It bonds very well to acrylic (but not glass) you will get some frosting that you will be able to see if the acrylic is clear though unless you use accelerator to cure it instantly.
     
  12. Sep 7, 2012 #12
    Jaked

    Jaked

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    Jamie, i think you may have solved my issue. Still a little green with sumps, wasn't thinking that I could just run the water level higher in the main chamber. Thanks for the advice!
     
  13. Sep 7, 2012 #13
    Jamie

    Jamie Well-Known ReefKeeper Vendor

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    no problem:)
     

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