How should I repair acrylic?

[HappinessIsA]

Just purchased 180g aquarium off Craigslist. It appears it was set down in a rock or something. There's a impact crack inside the overflow.

My first thought was to add a piece of acrylic directly on top of it, cemented together. Then I thought maybe I should drill it out then patch it, (like a patched bulkhead hole) to prevent it from growing.

Thoughts?

 

[sikoko]

it looks like the crack hasn't fully run yet so it's sketchy at best. As to repairing if I was attempting I would sandwich it between two pieces and cover the drill spot plus quite a bit wider than the actual drill bit in whatever you're cementing with. Im sure others with more experience will chime in.

 

[HappinessIsA]

Just to add, it looks like it's only on the surface, not cracked through. See the side shot.

Since this is the bottom panel, it's not cracked through, should I just leave it?

 

[HappinessIsA]

Hoping for some more insight on this.

Please help? Lol

Since only the surface is cracked, I want to leave it. But I fear it will spread & become a nightmare scenario - ankle deep water.

I could cut it out, (cut out the cancer) then patch it, cut it would be about 0.5" from the overflow walls, doesn't leave much room for the patch to adhere to.

I'm a novice, would greatly appreciate some more experienced view points.

 

[BichirKing]

why don't you get a bulkhead and cut out that spot to put the bulkhead there ? then use it as an emergency drain?

 

[HappinessIsA]

Ended up using a hole saw to cut out the cancer.
2.5" to get all the cracks. I went as far away from the wall as I could to give me as much space for the repair.

Not sure if I'll use a bulkhead (it's inside the overflow, so it won't drain the tank any) or patch with a piece of acrylic/cement or glass/silicone.

 

[BichirKing]

I have used Weldon 40 to fill holes up to 1.5". took multiple pours to get it full. I backed the hole with a piece of acrylic. I used some Weldon on 4 to hold it in place. that is the most permenant way to repair this.

Weld-on #40 and #42

Tried to start one of these threads a long time ago and no one seemed to believe me about the quality of this glue and its purpose in the aquarium industry. I am more than glad to know people are now catching on and following my advice and practices of using #40. I know some people are probably...

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

this explains how to use weld on 40. I would put a bulkhead in and just put a plug in the bulkhead. easier and cheaper.

 

[HappinessIsA]

Wow, you blew my mind.

So I could tack up a sheet of acrylic covering the hole on the inside, flip the tank upside down so the hole is now on the top. Pour in weld on 40 to completely fill in the hole & have a flush bottom panel again?

I think that's my new plan, unless I'm completely off base with my thinking? It's a 2.5" hole.

 

[BichirKing]

heres a pic of a hole I filled. the piece is now acting as a doubler for a crack in my sump. if you want a flat bottom the best way to do it would to wrap some wax paper around a piece of wood and tape that to the bottom. then mix the Weldon 40 up and pour it in. then once it sets up remove the wax paper wood. you should have a nice flat bottom again with the repair being as structurally sound as the original piece.

 

[HappinessIsA]

Excellent!

Just wanna confirm:

IPS Adhesives Weld-On 40 Acrylic Plastic Cement, Solvent Based Adhesive Clear 1 pt Kit

<p>IPS Adhesives Weld-On 40 Low VOC Acrylic Plastic Adhesive is a two component, room temperature curing, medium syrupy, reactive acrylic cement that is used to form high strength bonds within a few hours. Especially formulated to bond extruded, cast, and cross linked acrylic sheets. 1 pt...

www.ellsworth.com

This is the right stuff?

Thanks for your help!