how to even acrylic tank edge?

[airedwin]

I have an acrylic tank that was built poorly. The side panels don't sit evenly with the bottom panel so the edge of the bottom panel sticks out from the side panel. Am I able to cut/sand the edge so that it is even with the side panel? What tools would I need?

 

[cylon032]

Think the easiest way would be a flush trim router bit. I'm no expert with acrylic though so see what others say

 

[fishguy242]

pics ? how much off ? 1/16", 1/4" ? thickness of panels ? size of tank ?

 

[airedwin]

pics ? how much off ? 1/16", 1/4" ? thickness of panels ? size of tank ?

it's about 1/4 inch off at most at one end, panels are about 3/4 inch thick i think, 6ft x 2ft x 1ft
it's also sealed with sillicone so i'm wondering if it was cemented at all, maybe i can just remove the sillicone and cement it straight? but if not then i would have to cut/sand it?

 

[airedwin]

Think the easiest way would be a flush trim router bit. I'm no expert with acrylic though so see what others say

i will research that

 

[fishguy242]

sand down bottom flush , remove all silicone ,clean with alcohol , reweld all seams with weld on #16
it leaked before and will again w silicone.
you will not be able to separate panels without breaking ,they are welded.
good ventilation ,eye protection when working with weld on

 

[airedwin]

sand down bottom flush , remove all silicone ,clean with alcohol , reweld all seams with weld on #16
it leaked before and will again w silicone.
you will not be able to separate panels without breaking ,they are welded.
good ventilation ,eye protection when working with weld on

thanks, why weld on #16 and not weld on #4?

 

[airedwin]

rubbing alcohol?

 

[airedwin]

Also is there some kind of epoxy or something that turns into acrylic in order to fill a chip or dent in acrylic?

 

[fishguy242]

thanks, why weld on #16 and not weld on #4?

4 is thin basically used on new joints , 16 will work like a "caulk" but still weld

rubbing alcohol?

Isopropyl Alcohol Rubbing Alcohol

Also is there some kind of epoxy or something that turns into acrylic in order to fill a chip or dent in acrylic?

isopropyl alcohol ,yes you can build up ,fill up chip /dent w # 16 ,use layers if deeper than 1/8"
@Joe Glass Cages can you double check advise here ? Thanks ...

Isopropyl Alcohol Rubbing Alcohol

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

4 is thin basically used on new joints , 16 will work like a "caulk" but still weld

Isopropyl Alcohol Rubbing Alcohol

isopropyl alcohol ,yes you can build up ,fill up chip /dent w # 16 ,use layers if deeper than 1/8"
@Joe Glass Cages can you double check advise here ? Thanks ...

Isopropyl Alcohol Rubbing Alcohol

Thanks @fishguy242

@airedwin I read through this thread. great suggestions. routing, sanding and polishing are perfect.

thinking about all this though, Have you talked with the manufacture. This seems like something they should address for you or offer you some assistance. Just thinking out loud.

 

[airedwin]

Thanks @fishguy242

@airedwin I read through this thread. great suggestions. routing, sanding and polishing are perfect.

thinking about all this though, Have you talked with the manufacture. This seems like something they should address for you or offer you some assistance. Just thinking out loud.

What size router bit do i need? I've never used a router before

So I made the mistake of buying this tank second hand without inspecting it closely.

 

[airedwin]

this was the conversation, but i won't get into it more since this thread isn't to complain or talk bad abouut people lol, i'll just leave it at that since you asked
i also have no idea what this company is, just seems like a dishonest seller imo, but ultimately my fault for not doing due diligence before buying

 

[fishguy242]

please post pics of tank , full and seams the more the better here...

 

[airedwin]

please post pics of tank , full and seams the more the better here...

Ok i will when i get a chance, the tank is at my condo, thanks for the help

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Using silicone to secure acrylic to acrylic is a completely boneheaded move. Whoever built it may have built it by hand, but their head was up their .... Just knowing the tank hasn't busted open yet, is kind of amazing.

To me, this would be a Complete rebuild.

Separate all panels, make fresh joining edges with a table saw/track saw/router with a fence ensuring all cuts are 90° in both orientations. This is the point to correct the oversized panels.

Now cement all back together and leak test.

I know that's a lot to do for a tank that was supposed to be ready to go, but isn't.

 

[airedwin]

Using silicone to secure acrylic to acrylic is a completely boneheaded move. Whoever built it may have built it by hand, but their head was up their .... Just knowing the tank hasn't busted open yet, is kind of amazing.

To me, this would be a Complete rebuild.

Separate all panels, make fresh joining edges with a table saw/track saw/router with a fence ensuring all cuts are 90° in both orientations. This is the point to correct the oversized panels.

Now cement all back together and leak test.

I know that's a lot to do for a tank that was supposed to be ready to go, but isn't.

I have considered that as well, how do I separate the panels if they've been bonded? I'm not 100% certain they are bonded because of the silicone, but it's possible

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

I have considered that as well, how do I separate the panels if they've been bonded? I'm not 100% certain they are bonded because of the silicone, but it's possible

When you said it was sealed with silicone, Did you mean they ran silicone around the inside corners to keep it from leaking, or that the individual panels were siliconed together?

I understood #2 was the case.

If #1, They may have just been lazy.

 

[airedwin]

When you said it was sealed with silicone, Did you mean they ran silicone around the inside corners to keep it from leaking, or that the individual panels were siliconed together?

I understood #2 was the case.

If #1, They may have just been lazy.

my assumption is #1, but i won't know for sure until i remove the silicone right? do i use isopropyl alcohol for that?

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

my assumption is #1, but i won't know for sure until i remove the silicone right? do i use isopropyl alcohol for that?

I think pictures would help of the seams from a few different angles.

If silicone was used for the bonding, there should be a small gap between the panels.