Weld-on type solvents are the only thing that bond or "weld" acrylic. The thicker applications like weld-on 12 is what I used around the edges of my 6x4. Similar to a silicone seal, just not as thick after drying. If the edge is questionable, get 1/2" thick strips of acrylic and "weld" it in place with weld-on 4 and after drying, go around the area with weld-on12. Very inexpensive fix. Joey02 has alot of helpful info. for working on acrylic.
Fixing acrylic tank
- Thread starter NormanLove
- Start date
I would not do the seams if you don't have to. I bought a tank that someone fixed questionable seams on and it looked horrible. I eventually cut the tank in pieces and used the acrylic for other projects. Weld on will only work on horizontal surfaces, so you would need to be able to move the tank to do it right. Also the thicker weld ons like 12 and 16 do not dry to a perfectly clear finish, which for me is a huge turn off.
Got the bulkheads installed and now having an issue with a few of them leaking down around the threads. I think part of the problem is the surface of the acrylic around the hole has a few little dings. I have been hand tightening and then about 1/4 turn with a wrench. Out of the seven, three are leaking a tiny bit and thats with the tank only a third full. Would think they will leak even worse with more water.
Bought a few new gaskets to try on the ones that are leaking if this dont work I'm running out of ideas.
Bought a few new gaskets to try on the ones that are leaking if this dont work I'm running out of ideas.
Of course they will leak worse with more water. I use schedule 80 bulkheads, they are more expensive, gray, and bulkier. But you can really tighten them. I never broke one and they overcome the imperfections you mentioned.
Also put some teflon tape on the outer bulkhead threads then screw the bulkhead nut on. That's the white tape sold in the plumbing section. This tape is a lubricant actually, and helps get the pipes tighter and that helps prevent leaking. All this is done on the outside of the tank. The tape part of the bulkhead will not be in the water part of the tank.
You really should be able to go more than 1/4 turn to get these tight, at least 1/2, does it feel really tight at 1/4? Agree on the teflon tape, that will give you something additional that the water has to make its way through to leak.
I got the big grey bulkheads,used teflon tape and tightened them up good and that seemed to work good on all but one.
One just wont stop leaking slightly. Tightened it down all the way and still just barely a drip, down to about a drip or two an hour. Was thinking of trying a gasket on both sides but would that just give less surface for the nut to get a good seal? I have also read that sometimes they need a good 24 hours to seal up so maybe I just need to have some patience and let it sit overnight
One just wont stop leaking slightly. Tightened it down all the way and still just barely a drip, down to about a drip or two an hour. Was thinking of trying a gasket on both sides but would that just give less surface for the nut to get a good seal? I have also read that sometimes they need a good 24 hours to seal up so maybe I just need to have some patience and let it sit overnight
I agree that I would just let it sit. Stick a cup or bowl under it and wait for several days to see if it stops. Something that that slow defineately should.
Double gasket is a bad idea. One drip an hour should be something you can live with? Just put a can or bucket under it. empty it when you do water changes. It's possible the leak will stop after a while when the sediment starts filling in the leak.
