Broken euro reef HELP!

Timmy77 · 03-08-2008, 12:58 PM

My euro reef has a bad crack and I'm going to try to fix it. Anyone else ever try to do this? I plan on looking for something to re enforce the cracked area and glue the crud out of it. Any better idea's?

Click image for larger version

Name: euro crack.jpg
Views: 4
Size: 39.6 KB
ID: 61691

hng · 03-08-2008, 01:03 PM

Oh boy, that's a tough one. I think you can clean it first, then use weld-on in layers to build up a repair. I wish Geoff was around, he has a lot of experience with these types of things.

Fat Tony · 03-08-2008, 01:06 PM

you have the right idea... weldon 16, a piece of acrylic big enough to cover the entire area of the crack and hole... you need to heat the acrylic (i'm sure fly or hop will chime in as to what temperature) and bend it to the shape of the skimmer... then glue the patch in place.. drill a new hole for the outlet and it should be good to go

Timmy77 · 03-08-2008, 01:22 PM

Sounds good, I will go to my local hardware store and and get some weldon 16 and a new fuel tank for my torch.

Fly Guy · 03-08-2008, 01:23 PM

yes its fixable.

weld on #4 without any patches may be able to fix it. you can use 16 too but it will be a superficial patch to some extent...you ant to try to get some in the crack so you need thinner weldon than 16.

if you have the ability to bend some acrylic that would be the best way as mentioned OR make some liquid acrylic. If you have a table saw and some scrap...go cut a few passes and make some acrylic dust. mix it with some weld on 4 and patch both sides. this will accomplish both getting it in the crack a little as well as a outer patch

as far as temp for the bending.....just go slow until it will move for you

Timmy77 · 03-08-2008, 01:27 PM

Thats sounds great fly guy I will go with the #4 weldon.

Fly Guy · 03-08-2008, 01:31 PM

to be sure.....I should have clarified more...........there is more to that than all i mentioned. we need a water tight seal here, so after you do the patch with the liquid acrylic you are going to have a uneven surface where the uniseal seals that may or may not be an issue. it may take some grinding andplaying with afterwards.

if I was in a hurry........i would do the liquid acrylic thing........if i wanted to do it the best way....i would bend some acrylic and create ahuge patch that will cover well past the entire cracks

this will leave you with a stronger overall piece than it ever was in the first place before it broke.

Timmy77 · 03-08-2008, 02:09 PM

I just returned from the store and no weldon. I did pick up some glue called plastic surgery and am doing a search on the web for more info on it.