Picking up the pieces: Have you used acrylic cement with your reef?

[Peace River]

Picking up the pieces: Have you used acrylic cement with your reef?

Watching the skimmer cup lid flying through the air as it slipped out of my hands - I still remember the feeling. I knew it wasn’t going to end well even before it hit the ground and ended up in a few pieces. Although I had never tried to repair acrylic, I bought some Weld-on and was able to put the pieces back together. Although you can definitely see the crack if you take a look, the now-repaired Reef Octopus skimmer continues to work just as well as it did before. Have you ever used Weld-on acrylic cement or similar product? What did you use it for? Please share your experience, tips, and any related stories in the discussion thread.

Reef Octopus skimmer lid 3 years after repair; Photo by @Peace River

 

[SpSDrew]

I used Weld-on products (3,4,16) for many acrylic items such as frag racks, price plugs, DIY reactors, etc. Important key to no issues with the tank is to let it fully cure (~24hrs). I will then soak the items in RODI water for an additional 24hr before putting into the tank.

 

[Troylee]

Been using it for Over 30 years to fix and build everything from scratch! Sumps, skimmers, tanks, lids etc..

 

[Seek&Reef]

I've used it when I made my diy algae scrubber

 

[vetteguy53081]

I typically use Marine epoxy or Gel superglue. The epoxy aesthetically looks cleaner than the gel glue

 

[Fungusamongus]

Used it to make a sump. Plan on using it more in the future for other acrylic projects as many have stated.

 

[vlangel]

Yes, my first chiller for my seahorses leaked at the intake and output. It was a very expensive piece of equipment but I wasn't getting satisfaction from the manufacturer and I needed it pronto. So, I bought some JB water weld. That solved it. I have since used it on other repairs as well.

 

[MnFish1]

Picking up the pieces: Have you used acrylic cement with your reef?

Watching the skimmer cup lid flying through the air as it slipped out of my hands - I still remember the feeling. I knew it wasn’t going to end well even before it hit the ground and ended up in a few pieces. Although I had never tried to repair acrylic, I bought some Weld-on and was able to put the pieces back together. Although you can definitely see the crack if you take a look, the now-repaired Reef Octopus skimmer continues to work just as well as it did before. Have you ever used Weld-on acrylic cement or similar product? What did you use it for? Please share your experience, tips, and any related stories in the discussion thread.

Reef Octopus skimmer lid 3 years after repair; Photo by @Peace River

AHHH so that was the question - there should be no problem using weldon to repair plexiglass in this manner.

 

[littlebigreef]

Weld-on is a great product and like silicon grease and teflon tap its something you should probably have in reserve 'just in case.' Over the years I've made a bunch of stuff with it including a 'dipping tray' so I can pull out a full 24"x30" section of egg crate and dip it all at once. Easy peezey. I will add though, lower viscosity is better and if bonding pieces corner clamps and a second application are a must.

 

[srobertb]

I can use it…it’s just never pretty. I did make a frag tank that held water for a few years before I took it down. I tried making a wave box. I made my sump filter sock holders which came out ok.

My skills are so poor and I have no desire to get good enough to make a display tank.

I think every reefer should have some on hand (along with silicone).

Sorry for the bad picture of the filter sock holder.

 

[n2585722]

I think that is what comes in the Avast Marine kits if I remember correctly. I don't remember the brand though.

 

[littlebigreef]

I can use it…it’s just never pretty. I did make a frag tank that held water for a few years before I took it down. I tried making a wave box. I made my sump filter sock holders which came out ok.

My skills are so poor and I have no desire to get good enough to make a display tank.

I think every reefer should have some on hand (along with silicone).

Sorry for the bad picture of the filter sock holder.

As guy that's glued some pretty questionable pieces of acrylic together that looks pretty clean. What type of bit did you use for the hole? Diamond or is there a material specific one?

 

[StewL6]

I have used it for building sump baffles and acrylic DIY dosing containers. Also dosing line connectors since I use a lot of X1 doser’s with the 3mm line. I think one tube will last a very long time

 

[Peter Houde]

Picking up the pieces: Have you used acrylic cement with your reef?

Watching the skimmer cup lid flying through the air as it slipped out of my hands - I still remember the feeling. I knew it wasn’t going to end well even before it hit the ground and ended up in a few pieces. Although I had never tried to repair acrylic, I bought some Weld-on and was able to put the pieces back together. Although you can definitely see the crack if you take a look, the now-repaired Reef Octopus skimmer continues to work just as well as it did before. Have you ever used Weld-on acrylic cement or similar product? What did you use it for? Please share your experience, tips, and any related stories in the discussion thread.

Reef Octopus skimmer lid 3 years after repair; Photo by @Peace River

Gluing it back together would be the least of your worries. I bet it made a great mess and delightful smell.
Personally, I use PVC cement just because I have it on hand for my sprinkler system. Works great on acryllics. I've made all kinds of things for my DT using it.

 

[srobertb]

As guy that's glued some pretty questionable pieces of acrylic together that looks pretty clean. What type of bit did you use for the hole? Diamond or is there a material specific one?

I just used a general purpose hole saw kit I bought off Amazon for $40 but they’re as cheap as $30. It came with the drill bit + hole saws from 3/4 to 2.5 inches. I went with the “xdovet bi-metal hole saw kit” and I’ve used it on wood and plastic with great success. The larger holes for the 7” filter socks I bought a similar (but much larger) hole saw from Amazon for that specific purpose.

 

[srobertb]

Gluing it back together would be the least of your worries. I bet it made a great mess and delightful smell.
Personally, I use PVC cement just because I have it on hand for my sprinkler system. Works great on acryllics. I've made all kinds of things for my DT using it.

Didn’t know that. Good info. Acrylic weld/glue welds. Does PVC cement do the same on acrylic? (Bond vs meld)

 

[Snoopy 67]

I built a sump, years back. Basically a 90 gallon tank.

 

[TK_KW]

I've used Weld-on for building the following for my build. Algea scrubber, fish trap and my vial/syringe organizer

 

[mavl666]

Picking up the pieces: Have you used acrylic cement with your reef?

Watching the skimmer cup lid flying through the air as it slipped out of my hands - I still remember the feeling. I knew it wasn’t going to end well even before it hit the ground and ended up in a few pieces. Although I had never tried to repair acrylic, I bought some Weld-on and was able to put the pieces back together. Although you can definitely see the crack if you take a look, the now-repaired Reef Octopus skimmer continues to work just as well as it did before. Have you ever used Weld-on acrylic cement or similar product? What did you use it for? Please share your experience, tips, and any related stories in the discussion thread.

Reef Octopus skimmer lid 3 years after repair; Photo by @Peace River

I bought an Elos skimmer with a piece broken from cup. Weldon16 fixed it well. No leaks in 3 years.

 

[Calm Blue Ocean]

Very timely topic, the mounting bracket on my skimmer let go from the base a few days ago. The skimmer is being held together by wishes right now but I need to actually put it back together properly. I was just going to use superglue but is Weld-on what I really should be using and the best stuff for the job?