Protein skimmer has leak. I need solutions!

Jmann020 · Sep 6, 2016

i have a hang on back eshopps psk-100 protein skimmer (it is acrylic) . It is leaking where it hangs on the back of the tank, on the mounting bracket. Please see picture below. I am looking for a silicone, poxy, weld something at will fill the crack. I have done some research and not sure on what to settle with. The crack is on the inside or the skimmer, on the outside it is still smooth.

Acrylic protein skimmer

Weld on #4 or #16 I can't get locally, Home Depot, Lowes, ace hardware doesn't sell it

Will jb water weld work?

Should I get a aquarium slicone?

What should I get?

Paul B · Sep 6, 2016

Do not use silicone. It does not stick very well to acrylic but people still try to use it. You need acrylic solvent. You can also get thickened acrylic solvent which is made out of acrylic melted into solvent. They have it at an acrylic fabrication store which are not to common.
I have a bunch of the stuff but I am on Long Island NY. You may be able to get it in a good hardware store or on line.

Jmann020 · Sep 6, 2016

Paul B said:
Do not use silicone. It does not stick very well to acrylic but people still try to use it. You need acrylic solvent. You can also get thickened acrylic solvent which is made out of acrylic melted into solvent. They have it at an acrylic fabrication store which are not to common.
I have a bunch of the stuff but I am on Long Island NY. You may be able to get it in a good hardware store or on line.

Thank you, my problem with online, is I want it now, my tank is protein skimmer-less at the moment. Will any of the products listed above work? What would be an alternative to weld on #4?? I need an adhesive I can get today.

Plumbers goop
Jb water weld
Weld on- which I can't get locally

Which one is the best? Fish safe? Or what do you recommend I use?

If I have to buy weld on from online, how long will my tank be fine without a skimmer?

Jmann020 · Sep 6, 2016

so this is the plan, please tell me if A. it will hold and B. it be aquarium safe.

So my protein skimmer has a crack where it holds on the back of the tank.

i bought these items:

my plan:
1. put on the plastic bonder, on the inside of the skimmer, where the crack is more relevant.
2. put a strip of gorilla glue (on inside)
3. clean silicone sealant (on inside)
4. put the jb weld water weld on the outside of skimmer where the cracks are

what do you guys think?

cromag27 · Sep 6, 2016

The best fix would be to a buy a new one. I would not trust any of the stuff you just listed. the thick acrylic solvent is weld on 16 but we never use it for water tight applications, it's junk. weld on 4 has a watery consistency, but not appropriate for this fix.

Jmann020 · Sep 6, 2016

cromag08 said:
The best fix would be to a buy a new one. I would not trust any of the stuff you just listed. the thick acrylic solvent is weld on 16 but we never use it for water tight applications, it's junk. weld on 4 has a watery consistency, but not appropriate for this fix.

even for the slight crack i have? you can feel the crack on the insde, but on the outside it is smooth

Paul B · Sep 6, 2016

I would use Goop. I use it for everything and it is safe and waterproof. All Goops are the same, pick one. Plumbers is fine. Acrylic solvent is what I would use but Goop is my second choice. It is very thick and dries very fast to a flexible seal

Jmann020 · Sep 6, 2016

Paul B said:
I would use Goop. I use it for everything and it is safe and waterproof. All Goops are the same, pick one. Plumbers is fine. Acrylic solvent is what I would use but Goop is my second choice. It is very thick and dries very fast to a flexible seal

so return what i got and go with goop?

the loctite epoxy is a no go? i thought that would be good because it says acrylic,

i planned on using the epoxy first, then glue, then silcone sealer over it all. then jb weld on the outside to just make sure

Joey waid · Sep 6, 2016

Paul B said:
I would use Goop. I use it for everything and it is safe and waterproof. All Goops are the same, pick one. Plumbers is fine. Acrylic solvent is what I would use but Goop is my second choice. It is very thick and dries very fast to a flexible seal

They have a marine goop too. It's awesome stuff.

Joey waid · Sep 6, 2016

Maybe scratch the surface with scotch Brite or sand paper first.

Jmann020 · Sep 6, 2016

Joey waid said:
They have a marine goop too. It's awesome stuff.

so which should i go with?
the epoxy loctite says its for acrylic, i was going to use that then glue over that, then silicone over that, then jb weld on the outside

Jmann020 · Sep 6, 2016

Joey waid said:
Maybe scratch the surface with scotch Brite or sand paper first.

yeah i planned on doing that on the outside then applying the jb weld to the outside

Joey waid · Sep 6, 2016

Jmann020 said:
so which should i go with?
the epoxy loctite says its for acrylic, i was going to use that then glue over that, then silicone over that, then jb weld on the outside

I would not use silicone period.. I know you searching for a quick fix, but silicone is not he way to go. What ever you do, it will need to cure for a while. Goop or new skimmer...

Jmann020 · Sep 6, 2016

Joey waid said:
I would not use silicone period.. I know you searching for a quick fix, but silicone is not he way to go. What ever you do, it will need to cure for a while. Goop or new skimmer...

okay thank you, goop it is!

so no need for any of the other items i purchased?

i want something that is going to hold, so thats why i was planning on using more than recommended

Joey waid · Sep 6, 2016

Jmann020 said:
okay thank you, goop it is!

so no need for any of the other items i purchased?

i want something that is going to hold, so thats why i was planning on using more than recommended

Don't use more. The stuff dries almost hard, just a thin coat... No need for anything else. Just make sure it's clean......

Paul B · Sep 6, 2016

I would just use the Goop. I called the Goop manufacturer, they are all the same but "Outdoor Goop" may have an algaeside in it (I doubt it).
Put on some Goop, spread it out then lay the thing so the Goop is at the bottom because it will sag a little. Don't touch it and in a few minutes it will cure clear and thick.
As I said, acrylic solvent is what you should use but Goop should work.

Joey waid · Sep 6, 2016

I was wondering about all the goops. I have used all of them, but the outdoor. They all seemed the same to me. They all dried the same and same color when dried. It's good stuff..I always have some around.

cromag27 · Sep 6, 2016

Yup even for this small crack. just because a product says it can use with with plastics, it doesn't mean it's for water tight purposes. and as I've already stated, there's not acrylic solvent appropriate for this fix. it's up to you but I'd rather not have a failure down the road.