Weld-on 4, weld-on 16 or super glue to fix a broken skimmer

[Reefacist]

Hi guys,

So I was moving tanks and took my skimmer out to wash. It accidentally fell off the table and the plastic/acrylic between the pump and slimmer body broke. I see the tube that connect the pump to skimmer is fixed so my only solution is to reconnect the plastic from the pump to the skimmer body.

Question is which one would be better in this case….
Weldon 4
Weldon 16
Or superglue

Thanks

 

[ryanjohn1]

Super glue. But see if you can get replacement parts

 

[John K]

WO #16 is usually the go to for this kind of repair. Not necessarily pretty, but it should work well. Far stronger than super glue for this.

 

[mfinn]

I would only use a Weld-On product.
Take the broken piece out of the pump. If it has a perfect fit ( no missing chips ), then I would use Weld-On #3 or #4. You will need to gst a needle applicator bottle to use these 2.
#16 will also work, but slower and a little messier( thicker) , but can be used right out of the tube.

 

[Reefacist]

I would only use a Weld-On product.
Take the broken piece out of the pump. If it has a perfect fit ( no missing chips ), then I would use Weld-On #3 or #4. You will need to gst a needle applicator bottle to use these 2.
#16 will also work, but slower and a little messier( thicker) , but can be used right out of the tube.

Ya I’ll fit it together and examine.

 

[Reefacist]

Super glue. But see if you can get replacement parts

I don’t think I can buy a replacement product since it’s a tube attached to the skimmer body. I can buy a new skimmer body but trying to avoid that

 

[mfinn]

Ya I’ll fit it together and examine.

I actually had the same issue with a new Octo 5000 int skimmer a few years ago.
Weld On worked

 

[Reefacist]

I actually had the same issue with a new Octo 5000 int skimmer a few years ago.
Weld On worked

Good to know. Ya would be a big waste if I had to buy new. Did you end up using Weldon 3/4 or 16?

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

4 dries quicker but I would use 16 if you have it. Either will work

 

[mfinn]

Good to know. Ya would be a big waste if I had to buy new. Did you end up using Weldon 3/4 or 16?

I used #3 because I had it on hand for a few other projects.

 

[Troylee]

I would only use a Weld-On product.
Take the broken piece out of the pump. If it has a perfect fit ( no missing chips ), then I would use Weld-On #3 or #4. You will need to gst a needle applicator bottle to use these 2.
#16 will also work, but slower and a little messier( thicker) , but can be used right out of the tube.

This right here! That’s most solid advice you’ve been given… I do acrylic for a living lol..

 

[John K]

Definitely WO.

Do understand that #3 and #4 are water thin solvents. They will melt the existing material together, and the remaining solvent evaporates. Great if the fit is near perfect. Not so great of there is any material missing or the break messy.

#16 is basically solvent with acrylic material dissolved in it, so it acts more like a conventional glue - it will fill gaps and fill in messy / irregular breaks.

You can always try #3 or #4, then go over it with #16 if you don't get a good end result.

For any of the above, if you haven't practiced on acrylic and different types of weld on in the past, I'd strongly recommend some practice on scrap material first. It's easy to make a mess if you don't know what to expect.

*Just trying to elaborate on the difference since that doesn't seem to have been addressed much here.

 

[dadnjesse]

I have 2 broken skimmers and a refrigerator shelf that I fixed with Weld On. All three are still holding. I don't think super glue would have worked.

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

or If you use 3/4 just add some acrylic sawdust And it works like 16.

 

[Reefacist]

This right here! That’s most solid advice you’ve been given… I do acrylic for a living lol..

Definitely WO.

Do understand that #3 and #4 are water thin solvents. They will melt the existing material together, and the remaining solvent evaporates. Great if the fit is near perfect. Not so great of there is any material missing or the break messy.

#16 is basically solvent with acrylic material dissolved in it, so it acts more like a conventional glue - it will fill gaps and fill in messy / irregular breaks.

You can always try #3 or #4, then go over it with #16 if you don't get a good end result.

For any of the above, if you haven't practiced on acrylic and different types of weld on in the past, I'd strongly recommend some practice on scrap material first. It's easy to make a mess if you don't know what to expect.

*Just trying to elaborate on the difference since that doesn't seem to have been addressed much here.

First of all thanks for all the advice. I’m sure it will help others as well.

So it would be ok to do 4 first and fix it with 16 if doesn’t work? I mean it’s only the skimmer which is gonna be hidden in the sump but I like clean jobs.

 

[Troylee]

First of all thanks for all the advice. I’m sure it will help others as well.

So it would be ok to do 4 first and fix it with 16 if doesn’t work? I mean it’s only the skimmer which is gonna be hidden in the sump but I like clean jobs.

4 or 16 is fine.. if you use 4 you need a applicator bottle or needle syringe