DIY Epoxy Safe glue?

Andrew Schubert · Jul 9, 2020

I am making my own DIY overlow. However, the material I used must not be acrylic because my acrlyix glue doesn't bond with it. So was wondering g if Dap Tank Bond Epoxy would be OK to use...or should I stick to trying silicon?

X-37B · Jul 9, 2020

I have done corner overflows with silicon many times with no issues.
Its how all corner overflows are done to glass.
If you are glueing acrylic together use weldon 4.

Andrew Schubert · Jul 9, 2020

90's reefer said:
I have done corner overflows with silicone many times with no issues.
Its how all corner overflows are done to glass.

Yea... im actually building the entire overflow from scratch

Sisterlimonpot · Jul 9, 2020

If it is all out of acrylic you'll want to bond the pieces not glue them. Weldon 3 or 4 is what you're looking for.

X-37B · Jul 9, 2020

Andrew Schubert said:
Yea... im actually building the entire overflow from scratch

Then you need weldon 4. I have made many sumps with it.

Andrew Schubert · Jul 9, 2020

Sisterlimonpot said:
If it is all out of acrylic you'll want to bond the pieces not glue them. Weldon 3 or 4 is what you're looking for.

Yep....thats what I've used...this must not be acrylic

Sisterlimonpot · Jul 10, 2020

Andrew Schubert said:
Yep....thats what I've used...this must not be acrylic

Can you clear something up? What did you use?

The epoxy in your first post is not a solvent. Weldon 3 or 4 is less viscous than water. Weldon actually softens the acrylic and allows the acrylic to bond to itself. There isn't any glue or epoxy involved.

Andrew Schubert · Jul 10, 2020

Sisterlimonpot said:
Can you clear something up? What did you use?

The epoxy in your first post is not a solvent. Weldon 3 or 4 is less viscous than water. Weldon actually softens the acrylic and allows the acrylic to bond to itself. There isn't any glue or epoxy involved.

I tried my weldon 4 and it didn't bond...thats why I was asking about the epoxy. The material is BLACK high density poly sheets (HDPE). Evidently weldon doesn't work with that stuff.

Luckyduck · Jul 10, 2020

90's reefer said:
Then you need weldon 4. I have made many sumps with it.

Hey brother I'm about to build a mini surface skimmer, sorta like an overflow without the over, basically a small box out of acrylic. I was just wondering how I was going to bond it together. Literally was just thinking about it and came across this post! Good timing. I should order myself some Weldon #4 then correct?

Sisterlimonpot · Jul 10, 2020

Andrew Schubert said:
I tried my weldon 4 and it didn't bond...thats why I was asking about the epoxy. The material is BLACK high density poly sheets (HDPE). Evidently weldon doesn't work with that stuff.

Hmm interesting, I don't know of a solvent that will bond HDPE. Outside of actually welding it, epoxy is probably the best option.

Sisterlimonpot · Jul 10, 2020

Luckyduck said:
Hey brother I'm about to build a mini surface skimmer, sorta like an overflow without the over, basically a small box out of acrylic. I was just wondering how I was going to bond it together. Literally was just thinking about it and came across this post! Good timing. I should order myself some Weldon #4 then correct?

Yep

X-37B · Jul 10, 2020

Luckyduck said:
Hey brother I'm about to build a mini surface skimmer, sorta like an overflow without the over, basically a small box out of acrylic. I was just wondering how I was going to bond it together. Literally was just thinking about it and came across this post! Good timing. I should order myself some Weldon #4 then correct?

Yes.

X-37B · Jul 10, 2020

Sorry did not see it was hdpe.
Their are hdpe glues out their but the best method is poly welding.
Not sure I would use anything but a polypro welder for that application.
I would just get some black acrylic and weldon.

Timfish · Jul 10, 2020

If you're using HDPE you'll need to weld it. There aren't any good gluing options that will hold up over time. Sooner or later the joints will start seperating.