A question for you acrylic repair experts

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Agree with every word that Wednesday wrote; he is on point. For what it's worth, I have only used #4 and #16 and I found #4 to make a stronger bond than #16. It looks like they may have used #16 on that patch. As Wednesday mentioned, I have also heard that #40 (2 part) is the best, but I believe it's a little harder to get a hold of (IIRC, my local plastics shop didn't carry it). Like most epoxy's, it's some seriously toxic stuff, so make sure you read and follow the precautions before using.

I think before you make any changes, I would consider your reasons for chopping up the tank.

If the Pacu is already 22" and the tank is only 24" wide (which means the internal dimensions are actually only 23" wide if the acrylic is .5" thick), pretty soon you are going to have a fish that won't be able to turn around in the tank. Pacu can easily grow to 30"+. He will outgrow that 240G tank.

An indoor pond is probably your best long-term option if you are looking to keep him. If that's not an option, I would look into donating him (see if Steinhart Aquarium in SF will take him) or finding someone who can accommodate him to his full grown size.

Maybe try lowballing this guy; he's been trying to sell this tank for a while, so he may be motivated to sell for cheap: http://sacramento.craigslist.org/for/3426372287.html
 
Thanks aldiaz33...nice to know im not crazy hah i was thinking the same thing about the pacu aswell...the #40 is pretty hard to find. I ordered 4 gallons for around $400 just so i have it for personal use and at my shop. Pretty sure they make a pint kit for small jobs though. My local plastic shop looked at me like an idiot when i asked for it. Best bet is to order online and eat the hazmat fee for shipping. Well worth it, just be patient and find it

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Also as stated #40 is pretty toxic but the fumes clear pretty quick compared to #16. It also sets up in about 30min as opposed to overnight with 16. Ive been inside many tanks shooting #16 and #40. I like to wrap a bandana around my face and tuck it down my shirt. Prob not as good as a vent mask but in a pinch use something or you'll b on the moon before you know it lol... i recently did a 197 in #40. Ill post a pic of how i reinforce the seams inside the tank.
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I had this happen when we made a custom 120 gallon, the acrylic is to thin, causing it to bow, and applied pressure on the middle brace and cracked it. I'd leave the patch, and repair around it.
 
This particular tank had 1/2" square stock glued in terribly so i glued over the entire piece melting it permenatly in place. If you can remove your patch i'd get a piece of 1" square stock and glue it on ur top seam inside as pictured. You have to flip/tip your tank to level the glue on the seam then let it dry. Slow process but super strong. If there was no crack or square stock you glue in the same fashion just to beef up a tank.
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1/2" seam now becomes almost 2" total bonding area. Beef up your seams mfk! I learned this method from buying enough acrylic tanks and duplicating how they were made. Took me 3 yearz to find the rite glue. #40 is basically liquid acrylic. These seams are a good soultion to any "crazing" or weak joints that can appear over time in older or poorly made tanks.

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All acrylic tanks bow milkman, even with thicker material. Most factory made acrylics have the thickest piece on the top or 2 pieces fused together to make up to 1" thick on top. Look at any acrylic tank from the side and you can see how "round" your front window looks.
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Wow… I missed a lot of correspondence.
So far, I gather;
1. DON’T mod the tank by cutting any braces.
2. Try to remove the outer patches only (front and Top) and replace them, but first get some Weld-On #40.
3. Reinforce the seams from the INSIDE, using square stock and #40.
a. My local plastic shop (Tap Plastics) carries extruded, will this work?
b. How about Angle Bar instead of Square?
4. Drill another hole at end of crack to stop it, from the inside and only the front panel not the patch.
 
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