Patching over holes in acrylic tank

[ShaunB]

Hello all.

I have this acrylic tank with 2 bulkhead holes at each end and 2 larger overflow holes in the middle. I want to cover them up. My plan is to use a single piece of acrylic that is long enough to reach from end to end and tall enough to reach from the top to an inch or so below the 2 overflow holes. I want to glue/bond this on the INSIDE of the tank so when viewing the tank it is barely noticeable.

Should I use IPS Weld-On 16 Acrylic Plastic Cement?

Is this the correct product?

Any tips?

 

[UncommonSense]

Hello all.

I have this acrylic tank with 2 bulkhead holes at each end and 2 larger overflow holes in the middle. I want to cover them up. My plan is to use a single piece of acrylic that is long enough to reach from end to end and tall enough to reach from the top to an inch or so below the 2 overflow holes. I want to glue/bond this on the INSIDE of the tank so when viewing the tank it is barely noticeable.

Should I use IPS Weld-On 16 Acrylic Plastic Cement?

Is this the correct product?

Any tips?

Those are indeed some huge bulkhead holes!!

Weld on 16 works pretty well, in fact; I just applied some to bond an acrylic rod to polycarbonate sheet around 5 mins ago!

The issue here is that you are trying to weld a massive area of two acrylic faces, essentially using it like a silicone! — I’m concerned that you might end up with some air bubbles between two large welded faces, and the work time is quite short, relatively speaking (to evenly brush onto pieces that large!)!

Assuming just installing large bulkheads with pipe plugs isn’t an option?

 

[Troylee]

It will work but it won’t be pretty.. Weldon 40 or 42 is a better choice.. I’m trying to wrap my ahead around those large holes! That’s crazy! Make sure to use like 3/8” acrylic if those holes are 4” or what ever they are.

 

[ShaunB]

Those larger center holes were from a Shadow Overflow.

I don't mind the look of the long sheet of acrylic. I doubt it will be that noticeable. I lived with the shadow overflow box in the tank.

Trying to patch it rather than buy a new tank. Prices have double since I bought this in 2018! Its only a 36x18x24 and I've had a quote for $815 plus shipping. Ugh.

The other alternative is to try and sell the tank, plumbing and sump all together and use the money for a new tank. I'm moving to a cannister filter to keep things simpler.

 

[CBonito]

Those larger center holes were from a Shadow Overflow.

I don't mind the look of the long sheet of acrylic. I doubt it will be that noticeable. I lived with the shadow overflow box in the tank.

Trying to patch it rather than buy a new tank. Prices have double since I bought this in 2018! Its only a 36x18x24 and I've had a quote for $815 plus shipping. Ugh.

The other alternative is to try and sell the tank, plumbing and sump all together and use the money for a new tank. I'm moving to a cannister filter to keep things simpler.

That's usually on the cheaper side too depending on who you're using.

 

[KrisReef]

Put 4 ex x thick pieces of acrylic to patch it on the outside, and then place a thin, opaque black inside to hide the entire back wall.

If you are planning on redrilling overflows in the back wall(s) then you may need some additional precautions to allow installation of new bulkheads. GL