How to repair cracks in acrylic tanks???

dlau21

dlau21

DirtDog
Sep 2, 2005
36
0
6
46
OAKLAND CALI
I jus got a hand me down 55 gallon TRUVU tank, but there is a leak on the floor from front to back along the right side of the tank. The bottom floor piece is just disconnected I was jus wondering what are some of the crack sealing methods, or sealants that hold water? :huh: Has anyone had any experience wit this type of fixer upper? any advice would be helpful, thanks!
 
dlau21 said:
I jus got a hand me down 55 gallon TRUVU tank, but there is a leak on the floor from front to back along the right side of the tank. The bottom floor piece is just disconnected I was jus wondering what are some of the crack sealing methods, or sealants that hold water? :huh: Has anyone had any experience wit this type of fixer upper? any advice would be helpful, thanks!
Click to expand...

My currently running 40 gallon had a small leak in one of the sides (I traded the tank for a kitchen table). I went to my LFS and bought some "aquarium sealent" and removed all the old with a razor blade and resealed with the aquarium sealent according to the instructions. It worked beautifully and it hasn't leaked a drop. I suppose it would work the same to reseal the entire tank. I hope someone with more knowledge than my smaller leak comes along to offer suggestions. Just make sure you follow the cure time on the package directions. Good luck!
mykidsmylife.
 
Silicone will not adhere to acrylic. Acrylic cement is the ONLY adhesive that will and repairing arcylic is not the best idea in the world. If I were you I'd use that tank for a reptile or something but do not use it to hold water. The amount of stress placed on that repair will be more than you would think. Being on the bottom your tank will drain all the way if it fails. 50 gallons of water on your carpet and all your fish dead. Not worth the risk for a glass tank that can be had for under 100 dollars.
 
Finaddictfred said:
Silicone will not adhere to acrylic. Acrylic cement is the ONLY adhesive that will and repairing arcylic is not the best idea in the world. If I were you I'd use that tank for a reptile or something but do not use it to hold water. The amount of stress placed on that repair will be more than you would think. Being on the bottom your tank will drain all the way if it fails. 50 gallons of water on your carpet and all your fish dead. Not worth the risk for a glass tank that can be had for under 100 dollars.
Click to expand...

OH SHOOT...totally right. Somehow I COMPLETELY missed that is was an acrylic tank! :o I apologize. OH geesh, what a horrible mess it would be.
mykidsmylfife
 
I also had a leak on my 165 gallon acrylic tank a few years ago. I posted in these forums and was given the steps to repair it.

Empty your tank and completely dry.

The first thing you need to purchase is a can of IPS weld on. It is made to join acrylic. http://www.tapplastics.com/aboutus/index.php?PHPSESSID=200509181639111617437178 I could not find it in my area and had to order it from TAP plastics.

There are a couple of different types of IPS weld on. I used #3, but I had a different problem than you. I was trying to seal up some holes in the bottom seal leaking water. It sounds like your seal on the bottom came apart. #3 is water thin and may work fine for what you are trying to do. You would have to talk to dealer at TAP plastic about the different types. I should have used something thicker for my application and had to thicken my weld on by adding shreads of acrylic. It was a lot of work. But is still holding till today.

The other thing that was recomended was getting 1/4" by 1/4" square acrylic strips to glue into the INSIDE of the tank behind the bottom seam with the IPS weld on. ( I went to a local plastic dealer and they GAVE the strips to me.) It is underneath the gravel and completely out of sight, but I resealed the entire inside of the tank. I had rounded corner on the tank and had to use a heat gun to bend the strips around the inside of the corners. Give it 3 or 4 days to dry COMPLETLY! Don't be in a rush to fill your tank.

Be very careful with the weld on. It has pretty bad fumes and isn't good to get on your skin. It contains, among other things, Trichloroethylene, which I use at work but do not like to be around. It can only be shipped by ground, so don't be in a hurry to get it.

I am offering no gaurentees, only the things that worked for me in my case. Do not attempt to use Silicone or crazy glue. It might work for a week or two, but you will end up with a flooded room in the end.

Good luck and report back your progress!

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11598
 
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right on btown taz...there is actually a TAP plastics in my city, so Im gonna go talk to them this weekend. Right on for the advice...and thanks to all who replied! I will let you all know how it turned out!
 
I took the advice of Btown Taz and went over to TAPS plastics and picked up some IPS weld on. I didnt use the water thin #3, but just went with the standard IPS weld on, it only cost me 3 bucks and change. So, I applied the weld on and clamped the tank down with vice grips. I checked up on it 3 days later and it was sealed very nicely. I have water in it right now to make sure it will hold the water without bursting...after, then prepare the tank for the gang.
 
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