Abs Plastic lifted off bare bottom

[Bengalcats888]

Hi,

Well, I watched the BRS youtube on applying ABS Plastic to bare bottom tank. I used GE Silicon I
and 1/8” ABS Plastic sheets. I added weight to the sheets and let it sit for 24 hours.

Less than 1 week, tank filled with water, 2 of the ABS sheets lifted and curled upwards.
Emptied tank of water, other sheets were easily removed like that was zero bond between ABS plastic and siicon.
I have lot silicon now on bottom of the tank.

Do I need to remove all this silicon if I were to start over?

How can I get better bonding?

 

[Ulu]

You can remove it or you can cover it up but it won't stick to the new silicone so you're best off to scrape it up.

There is a type of silicone glue I bought recently that is supposed to adhere better to plastics but I have not tried it yet and I don't know if it's aquarium safe.

If the ABS didn't stick maybe it still had mold release Compound on the plastic.

 

[johnny potatoes]

I do work in schools and when the room number signs etc. (Acrylic) are attached to the wall the installer scratches the back of the sign with a razor knife. Not very deep and just a few scratches. I was told the silicone gets a better bond this way. Hope this helps

 

[twentyleagues]

Hit the side that is having silicon with some sand paper first. Try 80 grit just rough it up a bit.

 

[Ulu]

Roughing up the plastic will definitely help adhesion.

 

[islandguy11]

Hi,

Well, I watched the BRS youtube on applying ABS Plastic to bare bottom tank. I used GE Silicon I
and 1/8” ABS Plastic sheets. I added weight to the sheets and let it sit for 24 hours.

Less than 1 week, tank filled with water, 2 of the ABS sheets lifted and curled upwards.
Emptied tank of water, other sheets were easily removed like that was zero bond between ABS plastic and siicon.
I have lot silicon now on bottom of the tank.

Do I need to remove all this silicon if I were to start over?

How can I get better bonding?

That's actually an interesting video -- wish I could do similar to one of my 325's (which I stupidly ordered with white oyama sticker on that bare bottom tank), but there's already water/Arowana in there. Thx for sharing and good luck with the re-do, if you can plz share some pix when finished.

 

[Bengalcats888]

Maybe put your Aro in temporary holding tank
and re-do the bottom.

Btw, mine was 1/16” thick ABS, probably didn’t help, curls more easily. It is what I had.
1/4” thick is the way to go.

Something called Star board, very nice but way
too expensive.