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

Have you used Weld-on acrylic cement or comparable product with your reef?

  • Yes, for equipment repair

    Votes: 44 22.0%
  • Yes, for aquarium repair

    Votes: 21 10.5%
  • Yes, for aquarium assembly

    Votes: 29 14.5%
  • I have used Weld-on cement, but not for reef-related items

    Votes: 16 8.0%
  • No, I have never used Weld-on

    Votes: 115 57.5%
  • Other

    Votes: 11 5.5%

  • Total voters
    200

Peace River

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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.

PeaceRiver_SkimmerLid.jpg

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

SpSDrew

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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.
 

vetteguy53081

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

Fungusamongus

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

vlangel

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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

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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.

PeaceRiver_SkimmerLid.jpg

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

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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

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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.

image.jpg 91E2BCD2-260A-4DB2-833F-A70A3A28FAFA.jpeg
 

n2585722

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

littlebigreef

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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.

image.jpg 91E2BCD2-260A-4DB2-833F-A70A3A28FAFA.jpeg

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

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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

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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.

PeaceRiver_SkimmerLid.jpg

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

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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

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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)
 

TK_KW

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

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mavl666

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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.

PeaceRiver_SkimmerLid.jpg

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

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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?
 
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