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  #1  
Old 01/10/2008, 01:16 PM
lark lark is offline
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Plugging small hole in acrylic

I have an acrylic tank with a rear overflow box in which was drilled a small hole -- maybe with a 1/4 or 3/8 bit. Small hole. It's about 1/2 down the overflow. Don't aske me why. It's not a problem for me, because I use the drain in the overflow for a closed loop not a sump.

The overflow, however, also has a second hole in the bottom that currently has a plugged bulkhead. I'd like to use that for a return (that will then go up over the top with pvc.)

In short, I have to do some work inside the overflow box and would like to drain it without draining half the tank. Is there something I can use to plug that hole for a day or so while I work down there? Anything more permanent? Way too small for a standard bulkhead, I think. Can I make a DIY bulkhead/plug for a small hole?
  #2  
Old 01/10/2008, 01:38 PM
scbadiver scbadiver is offline
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Could you just stuff Aqua-mend epoxy into it?
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  #3  
Old 01/10/2008, 01:51 PM
RumLad RumLad is offline
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Is a simple rubber stopper out of the question?
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  #4  
Old 01/10/2008, 03:28 PM
not_sponsored not_sponsored is offline
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A more permanent solution would be to cut out a small piece of acrylic and glue it one with acrylic glue, you'd have to get the area clean and dry though.
  #5  
Old 01/10/2008, 04:11 PM
lark lark is offline
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Thanks all. I was looking for a way to do it without draining my tank. It would require about a 50 percent water change to get it dry.

What is acrylic glue? Is it like silicone?

The problem with trying epoxy or something else is that it will be a real drag if it fails in the middle of the project!
  #6  
Old 01/10/2008, 04:15 PM
not_sponsored not_sponsored is offline
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I use "Weld on" for acylic projects, I like weld on 16 because it's a lot thicker than weld on 3 or 4 and will fill any gaps that I didn't sand down perfectly. It melts the acrylic chemically and joins the two pieces into one creating a permanent bond.
  #7  
Old 01/10/2008, 04:19 PM
lark lark is offline
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Sounds good. How long until I could add water back in the tank?
  #8  
Old 01/10/2008, 04:39 PM
not_sponsored not_sponsored is offline
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The tube says 24 hours to cure, but I usually wait a couple days before pressure testing.
  #9  
Old 01/10/2008, 08:07 PM
shyland83 shyland83 is offline
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i can't say for sure without knowing the size of the hole. but possibly you could tap the hole and screw in a small pvc plug.
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  #10  
Old 01/11/2008, 09:51 AM
RokleM RokleM is offline
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Small uniseal with a cap?
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  #11  
Old 01/11/2008, 10:03 AM
RumLad RumLad is offline
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Do you want to re-use this hole, once the maintenance task is complete? Perhaps a picture would be useful
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  #12  
Old 01/11/2008, 12:47 PM
lakee911 lakee911 is offline
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If I'm understanding you correctly, you could plug it with some plumber's putty (something that is safe in the water) on the wetside and then glue a little piece of acrylic on the otherside (in the overflow) which you could be dry.

Jason
  #13  
Old 01/11/2008, 03:10 PM
thor32766 thor32766 is offline
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I had to seal drains in my sump tank and I used weld on with a piece of acrylic and it fixed the situation.
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