Joining acylic together to make it leak proof

[SBS_Transit]

hi, what must i use to join acrylic together to make it strong and leak proof ?

[sps_dude]

from what i learn from D&T .. the most appropriate glue for acrylic in chlorofoam ... chlorofoam is a type of solvent that will melt the acrylic (the surface to be joint)..... then apply pressure on the two surface,, then its joint......... strong and waterproof... but i dont know wether its reef safe...

[sps_dude]

or alternatively u can use siliconne sealent.... safest way to go.... but i dont think its quite strong ....on acrylic....

[SBS_Transit]

thanks sps_dude for the info ,

but , can any pro diy reefers here tell me weather chlorofoam is reef safe ?

thanks

[delirium]

In the States alot of them are using chlorofoam. Silicone doesnt bond with acrylic and can easily be peeled off.

[SBS_Transit]

In the States alot of them are using chlorofoam. Silicone doesnt bond with acrylic and can easily be peeled off.

which means its reef safe?

[giantbicycle]

from what i learn from D&T .. the most appropriate glue for acrylic in chlorofoam ... chlorofoam is a type of solvent that will melt the acrylic (the surface to be joint)..... then apply pressure on the two surface,, then its joint......... strong and waterproof... but i dont know wether its reef safe...

Ohh..ya....forgot to tell you just now...Sbs_transit...i forgetten chlorofoam which i just learn in my D&T class..yar..chlorofoam is good and real solid...use a paintbrush and spread over the few pieces u want to joint and add lotsa pressure..IT will do the job well enough...THANKS sps_dude for reminding me..haha...It should be reefsafe after it dried as no chemicals will be realeased..But you may want to clarify further to confirm..

[delirium]

which means its reef safe?

Should be as they are using it to make their acrylic sump tanks.

[blueheaven]

FYI, chlorofoam is a controlled chemical in Singapore so you cn't just find it anywhere

[typrobin]

check with our sponsor IAN loh...he should be able to source chloroform for u....

[bubble_gum]

FYI, chlorofoam is a controlled chemical in Singapore so you cn't just find it anywhere

art friend sells "acrylic glue" which ia actually chlorofoam. i bought a one litre bottle for my olevels art coursework

[ah^siao]

where u bought that art glue from?

[Cedric]

where u bought that art glue from?

Hi ah^siao,

sorry but I had to chip in coz its quite funny the way you "misread" his post. bubble_gum mentioned in his reply

art friend sells "acrylic glue" which ia actually chlorofoam. i bought a one litre bottle for my olevels art coursework

Therefore he already answered your question. Firstly, he did not buy "art glue", secondly, he already told us where he bought the acrylic glue from which is a place called ARTFRIEND.

Hope this will clear things up.

[weisoon]

Chlorofoam is not a VERY controlled item, its just that you cannot get 100% pure stuff which can knock you out. What one gets in the shop, actually can get quite easily, are mixed or so called diluted.

Chlorofoam FYI is not very strong. It just melts the 2 parts of arcylic together but the joint is very hard and brittle. Over long term, there can be leak problems due to vibrations or hydrostatic pressures. They are meant for arcylics for display purposes only.

There are arcylic glues in the market and makes very strong bonds. The ones primarily are Weld.On from USA or the Arcifix from Germany. IMHO

[ervine]

It's not so simply as getting acrylic solvent and sticking two pieces together... acrylic jointing needs a degree of precision in making a clean (and straight) cut..

Otherwise the joint will be weak or even not completely waterproof due to gaps or whatever...

Artfriend acrylic solvent is for craft.. not for aquariums as in it's probably not strong enough for aquariums.

Depending on what you are doing I suggest you use silicone instead.. Gives you a little more leeway in joining imperfect cuts...

[jesperlam]

So if joining acrylic and glass together?? Silicone will do?

[weisoon]

Silicones will adhere to glass very well however for arcylics, they do not bond very well due to to its properties. You can always try out 2 unwanted pieces of arcylics and use the best possible silicones on the market to bond them, you will be quite dissapointed. silicones will only hold them in place provided you don't subject them to stress or pressure, which ultimately they will come apart.

[SBS_Transit]

so where can i find chlorofoam ?

[weisoon]

Go DAMA, $15.00 per tub of 1 liter or more. Very cheap.

[hermit]

hello weisoon n sbs transit.............

currently i am using a diy acrylic sump for my tank,

dun worry it is reef safe............

simple to use......

and i dun spend $15 on it.........

go BRAS BESAH COMPLEX

3rd story ART FRIEND

you will be able to get it for only below $3..............................

it is dam easi to use, onli u must hold on to the angle joined until the solvent set and the two pieces are strongly join together.......

after completion of every joins i will will use silicon glue to reinforce the joins to make thing safe...................

any way good luck for your diy.....................

[weisoon]

The one DAMA selling is more than 1 liter, look like the size of industrial container of washing detergent. So, per unit wise, its the same.

As for your sump, good on you. But why do you use silicones after using the chloroform? Not confident of the chlorofoam?

[hermit]

it is not my inconfident on my skills....

i actually cut the acrylic sheet using scribing line on it and then give a hit on the join and it will break it into two pcs....

noticing the surface that has been divided is no perfectly flat a so not 100% the join is glued up and so has to reinforced it wif silicon.......

it is better to do some torch up rather than facing leaking in the future......

[ah^siao]

ermmmz... mind if i ask wad/where is DAMA?

[Ian]

Search for DAMA Plastics. Its at Ubi. Address cannot remember but i thik some one posted in the forum before.

[sps_dude]

glad i could be of help....... at least someone here is secondary shool... i thought i am alone....