Sources for Acrylic glue/pipes - DIY Aquarium Projects

niko · 07-23-2004, 03:01 PM

I made a DIY canister filter and it works good but if I substitute the PVC barbs with acrylic connections the whole thing would look better and probably be less prone to leaks.

Where should I look for glue that binds acrylic?
Also - where can I find acrylic pipes - 1/4 or 1/2" size?

--Nikolay

MiamiAG · 07-23-2004, 05:37 PM

If it's acrylic to acrylic connections, use Weldon #4 or MC Bond. You can get them at www.craftics.com.

Tubing can be found at www.mcmaster.com, www.usplastics.com and others.

Make sure to purchase cast acrylic as opposed to extruded.

Daemonfly · 07-24-2004, 07:53 PM

http://tapplastics.com/ also has stuff, but some of the prices are a bit higher compared to other areas. Ebay also has a section on acrylics, etc.. where many machine shops sell their scrap material. Most of it is good quality, I just recently got a 1'x2'x1/2" Cast acrylic sheet for cheap.

niko · 08-01-2004, 08:03 AM

Ok, I found extruded acrylic but the cast one seems to be a problem.

What is the difference in regards to acrylic usage in aquariums?

--Nikolay

MiamiAG · 08-01-2004, 08:36 AM

Extruded will not hold up for aquarium use. It is typically used for point-of-sale material that will be thrown away. Extruded will craze (spider cracks) as it absorbs 40% more water than does acrylic.

Bite the bullet and get cast material. The US cast is best but expensive. If you purchase import cast, use Chemcast. However, I would not build an aquarium out of it.

**gnatster** · 08-01-2004, 08:37 AM

Cast Acrylic

Cast is generally stonger then extruded for a given size, however it is more expensive.

niko · 08-01-2004, 09:10 AM

Art and Gnatster, thanks for the prompt responses but I have not found any cast acrylic tubes with od of 1/4 to 3/4.

--Nikolay

MiamiAG · 08-01-2004, 09:12 AM

Why do you want tube so small? You may need to go clear PVC for that.

niko · 08-01-2004, 12:01 PM

Art,

I'm trying to make a DIY canister a better looking piece of equipment. The lid and the canister that I use are clear acrylic, more or less like this one.

I don't know if that jar is extruded or cast. The in- and outflow of the filter as it is now are made of PVC fittings and O-rings. It'd be nice to have the whole thing made of acrylic. But the smallest cast acrylic pipe that I see is 1-1/2" od...

--Nikolay

MiamiAG · 08-01-2004, 12:12 PM

Yes, try clear PVC or a nice schedul 80 pipe (grey). Post pics.