I'm looking to DIY my sump and I need something to bond the lexan baffles to my 20 gallon long. Is there some sort of epoxy that is definitely reef safe and will bond lexan to glass? Thanks for your help
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For a sump, silicone should be good enough to hold the baffles in place. Most any 100% silicone labeled as having no anti-mold additives (such as GE Type 1 that you can buy at the local home store) works well. Other people like Momentive RTV which is said to be a bit stronger. You did leave some space between the sides of the baffles and the tank, right? Lexan does not expand much, but I'd leave 1/8" on each side just to be on the safe side.
Bruce
In my nightmare tri-tank and sump I recently built, Ive got about 14 bulkheads (thruhulls )besides another 15 for drains and glass drilled holes. in addition probably 100 joints of acrylic with some glass in this crazy project ive been into. If ever a lesson has to be learned and this is not really pertain to post, but use flex tube for all bulkheads outside sumps if even for a couple inches cause rigid pipe in complex runs will ultimately be a headache w leaks. Fortunately my persistence has prevailed. back to the subject, I can say silicone is good, the plastiweld by jb weld works great for glass/ plastics ... Only down side is that it is yellow and runs. 5200 is better IMHO although white which isnt as bad, its thicker, more flexible, less tear able, It bonds the best w glass ive found but a little tape to trim your sump pieces like 1/2 or 1/4 inch to protect from oversanding and some fine grit emery cloth will make bond way stronger than silicone. silicone is safe and works good but go thick if you have HIGH flow sump or better yet i recommend a caulk tool, its a little rubber like 4 inch tool w multiple precut angles thats meant for perfect joints. that if you tape first blue tape and keep at 45 angle you get flat filled corners, not egged out like what happens when you run finger along joint. with silicone or 5200. i redid my hex tank also after my sump build w silicone and tool and it looks awesome like new again. it drags tight so theres no silicone or 5200 to trim before you peel the tape. I repeat 5200 works great but let cure for 5 days before wet. it trims nicely w razor if needed and sticks better than silicone. i liked it the best honestly w glass 5200 w nylon hardware (if needed) is as strong as it gets. for display obviously acrylic/ lexan to glass ids def. no bueno. The weld on products for acylic to acylic is best for sumps no doubt , get needles from cvs and clamp with stripped bread ties for gap . inject and wait, its awesome and works best for all acylic to acylic. Weld on 4 excellent and they also make a thick voc in tube that works great for touch ups clear as day. Remember to alcohol prep always. Anyway hope this helps. Long post lol, my cappachino must be kickin in.I'm looking to DIY my sump and I need something to bond the lexan baffles to my 20 gallon long. Is there some sort of epoxy that is definitely reef safe and will bond lexan to glass? Thanks for your help
No. Momentive rtv 100 series only. save the GE stuff for your bathtub and windows.