Aquarium glue

[hookedonfish]

Hi does anyone know any type of glue I can buy at Home depot store or Lowes that is safe when building my sump? I need to glue some dividers in the acrylic tank but dont know what kind that wont hurt the water. Please help I am totally confused! Brand and specific information would help as well.. there are different kinds and I dont want to get the wrong one! Sorry this is my first time building a sump so hopefully all goes well.. I recently finsihed my DIY stand and It turned out pretty simple but nicE!! Will post pics of my Projects when I get done! Thank you very much!

[Acrylics]

Go down to Tap Plastics and get yourself some Weld-on 4 if the pieces fit very well and kinda tight or Weld-on 16 if there's a *little* play. If you get the #4 then get the applicator bottle - the one with the fine tip (should be blue needle housing). There's a Tap in SE Portland and one in Tigard.

HTH,

James

[hookedonfish]

Is the Weld on 16 the red tube with a black cap im seeing in their website? I want to make sure Im getting the right one. Thanks James! the Store isnt that far from me!

[wanareef]

Yes, 16 is the red tube w/black cap. Careful, it runs out really good, so you have to be ready for it. This is good for gaps up to 1/16"

[darthteddy]

can you use that to do DIY tanks. Like if i get the glass can i use that to glue up a tank in place of silicone?

[Geoff]

Originally Posted by darthteddy

can you use that to do DIY tanks. Like if i get the glass can i use that to glue up a tank in place of silicone?

Silly Cone is used on glass.

Weld-On is used on Acrylic.

they will not work on the other.

the Silly Cone forms extremely strong bonds with the glass, since they are both made from Si.

Weld-On actually softens the acrylic and then fuses them together. the bond can actually be as strong or stronger than the sheets themselves.

as for DIY'ing your own tanks, it absolutely can be done. you just need to know the proper techniques for materials you are using. you also need to know what thicknesses of the materials will be needed to form a safe tank.

i have built many small tanks out of acrylic. very easy. let me say that again. SMALL TANKS are EASY. leaks are easily fixed and your seems do not need to be perfect. if you plan on building anything larger than lets say 20. practice will be necessary in order to get your seems strong and consistant.

G~

[hookedonfish]

I just glued the acrylic dividers into my sump using weld-on 16 glue. Just wondering how long I have to wait till I can start filling it with water? Its been 24hrs like the instructions says and the glue is dry, but I still smell the glue inside the tank. Im not sure if the smell will actually poison the water... Thanks!!

[wanareef]

No, the smell will not poison the water and it should be good to go. But just in case you are leary, rinse the tank out in water anyway.

if you plan on building anything larger than lets say 20. practice will be necessary in order to get your seems strong and consistant. I agree, I would even say that some experience is necessary, (practice). There is also a correct assemly order for any acrylic "box".