Cracks in acrylic tank

[rhymeswithbear]

A friend gave me a 40 gal 36 by 15 by 16 in tank for free. It was great, although not brand new, it was in good shape. When I was moving it into my new apartment, part of a bed fell on it and made 2 small cracks on the bottom of the tank. I don't think it will ever hold water again, but my lfs has the same tank priced at $180 new. Pretty pricey for me, but is there anything else I can do?

 

[greenmaji]

They make a weld on cemement for acrylic, you could try to weld the cracks and test to see if it will hold water. HTH

 

[ace1uno_00]

Use either Acrylic cement (water thin good for crack)
OR weld-on # 16. You can purchase either of those items at www.Tapplastics.com
Thats the same stuff i used to build my 83 gallon tank, it holds water tight.

 

[Elmware]

When I was in highschool taking plastic shop, we used methylene chloride to bond plastic. The fumes are toxic, but like alcohal it evaporates without a trace. Acrylic is a thermal plastic so this should work with it.

You may also want to avoid getting this stuff on the surfaces of the acrylic which are visable as it will cloud the surface. Plastic cement will as well.