Worth fixing or not ??

[rdracer66]

A neighbor that is moving gave me his Acrylic Tank i have not measured it but it's either a 55 or maybe 75 gallon
problem is the bottom has started to come apart and leaks
also the 2 sides have cracks one is small only a few inches
the other is roughly 8in ? but it doesnt go thru both sides
so  my question is......... is it worth fixing ?
I figured i could seal it up with something ??
and then fill it up 25% and keep it in the basement near the drain incase it leaks wait a few days then filli t to 50% and wait a few days and then fill it to the top if it doesnt leak i'll then consider getting the equipment to set up the tank and then let it cycle fishless then maybe put in some cheap fish
what is everyone's thoughts on this ?
I thought about making it a terrarium but im not into that

Rd

 

[rdracer66]

What are everyone's thoughts on this ?

Rd

 

[dattack]

When working with acrylic, you have to use a product called Weldon solvent.  The solvent actually melts the piece of acrylic together forming a permanent bond.  It is commonly sold at you local plastic shop which sells acrylic/plexiglass.

Give them a call and they should be able to help you.

 

[rdracer66]

Thanks for the info but is this worth it ?
since it's already cracked is it worth trying to fix
or am i just wasting my time ??
Rd

 

[Matt Nace]

if you can fix it, it would be worth it. Unless the stuff to fix it is more than $50, which would be doubtful.

 

[eseow]

I personally would not trust it. How did it crack in the first place? Was it the owner, or did it just crack. If it just cracked, I think if fixed, it would break again. *crazysmiley*

 

[dattack]

If the tank is free, it's worth it.  I would use that either as a sump for larger tank in the future.  The weldon stuff is only a few bucks and like I said, it melts the acrylic together.

 

[eseow]

Test well before using! I know acrylic can be melted back. My dad has fused plactics together with MEK. I don't know how well it fuses acrylic, but I'm pretty sure it would work also. It would have to dry fully, because any plastic melted by a chemical will have to some what cure for the chemical to evaporate from it, otherwise the area would be soft. *twirlysmiley*

 

[colesea]

Yeah, I would fix it, but probably use it for something like a sump or other non-essential function like growing plant cuttings so that if it did kinda, go kerplat, over the floor and all, at least it wasn't all the fishies.  Free is free, I wish somebody would give me a nice big tank for free.

If the tank can't hold water, I'd use it for herps. I don't know how well acrylic will stand up to being scratched around by a bearded dragon or iguana, but some little lizards like leopard geckos shouldn't bother it. A snake won't scratch it either. Of course, heating would have to be arranged so as not to melt the acrylic.

~~Colesea