Emergency!!! Acrylic failure possible
- Thread starter MuralReef
- Start date
My 2 cents - Weldon 16 is not going to help you and I don't think that a patch is a good long term solution. IMO, your best case short of a new tank is to cut off that end and put on a new panel... Post to this thread on Reefcentral for a more expert opinion: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1056956&page=91 as my knowledge is minimal.
I'm not super experienced myself, but if the point where it is separating is sealed well with weld-on 4 or 16 and then a patch is added for additional structural security (ex a 0.5" X 0.5 X square acrylic rod on the inside), then I don't see why that wouldn't serve as a good long term solution. One thing to note however is that the source of the problem (most likely a lack of proper bracing) needs to be determined and that must also be fixed otherwise no amount of patching or re-sealing will solve the problem permanently.
Quick response from Flloyd:
Repairing that by adding a gusset is the better way to go. cutting the panel off won't typically work well because it's really really hard to cut a panel off an existing tank and make all 4 of those edges perfectly planar so that you can bond a new piece on there.
Adding a gusset will make the joint stronger if it's done right, but to do that right, you have to empty the tank, preferably dry it out for a few weeks, then use weldon 40 and a triangle gusset that leaves a void (for the 40 to fill) and prop the tank up on blocks so that corner is facing down (creating a valley for the 40 to fill in). Real pain but works well.
Repairing that by adding a gusset is the better way to go. cutting the panel off won't typically work well because it's really really hard to cut a panel off an existing tank and make all 4 of those edges perfectly planar so that you can bond a new piece on there.
Adding a gusset will make the joint stronger if it's done right, but to do that right, you have to empty the tank, preferably dry it out for a few weeks, then use weldon 40 and a triangle gusset that leaves a void (for the 40 to fill) and prop the tank up on blocks so that corner is facing down (creating a valley for the 40 to fill in). Real pain but works well.
Wohoo, I was right after all. The triangular is much better for aesthetics than a square, but same basic principle. Since its in the overflow chamber, that part could be drained and the return left off for long enough for it to dry, then patched with the gusset and given plenty of time to dry before turning the return back on again. Just to be safe, probably wouldn't hurt to do both overflows all at the same time since the return will be off anyway.
Mike whats the dimensions of this tank? How does the foot print compare to say a Marineland 300DD (72" x 36" x 27") ?
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* and just because its super awesome.....https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/for/5252053794.html
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Mine is 48" x 72" x 24". I don't know if replacement is where I want to go at this point.
Tom at ADHI is going to cut me some acrylic that I'm going to pick up tomorrow. I haven't decided if I'm going to try to fix it tomorrow or wait until Monday. I can't really monitor the tank Saturday and Sunday so I am thinking of waiting until Monday and getting it started early Monday. The split is from the outside in so I'm going to drain the overflow clean it dry it completely then add the patch and wait at least 24-48 hours before running water through it again. I'm not afraid of catastrophic failure at this point.
Tom at ADHI is going to cut me some acrylic that I'm going to pick up tomorrow. I haven't decided if I'm going to try to fix it tomorrow or wait until Monday. I can't really monitor the tank Saturday and Sunday so I am thinking of waiting until Monday and getting it started early Monday. The split is from the outside in so I'm going to drain the overflow clean it dry it completely then add the patch and wait at least 24-48 hours before running water through it again. I'm not afraid of catastrophic failure at this point.
Emergency!!! Acrylic failure possible
Went over to ADHI and got some pieces cut by Tom today. He's a great guy and has helped me a ton. So if you want a sump or tank look local.
I have a couple of square pieces and a nice flat 4" piece. My plan is to use the square piece inside and the flat piece outside once the inside piece is set. I'm going to laminate the flat piece over the joint and wedge 2x4's between the piece and the wall to hold it into place until it sets.
Went over to ADHI and got some pieces cut by Tom today. He's a great guy and has helped me a ton. So if you want a sump or tank look local.
I have a couple of square pieces and a nice flat 4" piece. My plan is to use the square piece inside and the flat piece outside once the inside piece is set. I'm going to laminate the flat piece over the joint and wedge 2x4's between the piece and the wall to hold it into place until it sets.
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