Plexiglass Glues and Toxicity

[abrahm]

I'm looking at working with plexiglass to construct some features for a terrarium and I had some questions. What are good glues for affixing plexi to plexi? I was looking at the Weld-On Products and Ed said something in another thread about "Gel superglue." What products work well and are aquarium safe?

The plexiglass box I am constructing will hold coco-fiber and some plants and will be resting in an aquarium filled with water to facilitate cleaning of both the land and water portion.

 

[derek]

When I have had to repair or build fish tanks from scratch I have always used aquarium sealant, which is the recommended product. It is also used to bond lots of different kinds of materials into tanks. The sealant cures after 24 hours and is non toxic to aquatic life, you should be able to buy it from any aquatics supplier.

 

[abrahm]

True, I am using that as a final sealant for additional security, but it has a bad reputation as an adhesive for plexi. I went with the super glue (cyanoacrylate) as it chemically bonds the plexi. It should dry and leave a chemical free residue.

I have several days to hear differently, though.

 

[derek]

I was wondering which plants are you going to use and are you going to be incorporating a drainage system into the plexi box?

 

[abrahm]

It will have a false bottom setup for drainage, but the main idea was that the entire box would be easily removable for easy cleaning. As for plants I'm not sure what I'm going to go with. Possibly boring old pothos, but if you have any good ideas I would be pleased to hear them.

 

[jim]

Abram,
I worked with plexi (at a glass shop) for quite a while but never really found a good glue for it. I did however find that if you use 3/8 or 1/2 inch you can use stainless steel machine screws in pre-drilled holes. If you do go the glue route, it helps the bond if you rough up the edges of the plexi. Hope that helps.

 

[vanessa]

There is no "glue" for plexiglass, only methylene chloride which chemically bonds it together (keep in mind that both pieces must be made of plexi to use methylene chloride) which is applied by using a syringe- like plastic applicator bottle, using it for aquariums although, you would have to use a clear marine caulking/sealant after bonding the sides just like they would use on boat windows and run it along the inside seams ensure no toxins leak into the tank this will also make it completely watertight. Also be aware that it bonds plexi to plexi together INSTANTLY so make sure your tank is in the correct positioning before running the needle along the seams or else you'll have a crooked tank and ugly seams. Its safe to get on your hands too, it doesn't have any bonding effect to skin, just feels a little cold then evaporates in seconds lol.

 

[vanessa]

Oh i guess i should add that for aquariums that aren't holding water, its completely non-toxic, my dad had made me one for a frog i had caught some 15 years ago and that frog lived for almost 5 years in that tank in fact i even used it after to grow peas in ( I had drilled holes in the bottom to let the water out!)