Easy project, or deceptively difficult?

[lkoechle]

I want to make one of these: http://www.dragonetsden.co.uk/dragonets_den.html

 

https://youtu.be/O0MtzpoShDg

 

to accomodate both of my dragonets (my male takes up an entire jar). It looks pretty simple:

 

Measure out appropriate acrylic size, cut, use hole saw to cut opening, use drill to airline hole, silicone sides, and airtube.

 

Husband is concerned about the ability to make straight edges with the "score and break" method and how that would affect siliconing it together. Thoughts? Is this as easy as I think it would be, or is this deceptively difficult?

[Horerczy]

You will need something besides silicone to bond the acrylic. Silicone doesn't adhere to acrylic very well.

 

Otherwise this shouldn't be to difficult to do. I use a jigsaw when I work with acrylic. The trick is just to work slowly.

[lkoechle]

The mandy diner i have now uses coral putty and super glue to bond the airline to the glass. I was thinking maybe ttring just super glue first or taking that route if for some reason it doesn't bond. It doesn't have to be pretty after all. Just functional lol.

[VW_TDI_02]

Why not just get actual glue for acrylic? It welds it together forming one solid piece if you do it correctly. Lowe's and Home Depot should carry it.

[NorthGaHillbilly]

weldon 16 is your friend

[Lauraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

weldon 16 is your friend

Totally!

[lkoechle]

Duh. Never even thought of that! And this is why everything gets posted on nano reef

[ajmckay]

Except you can't buy weld-on products at HD or lowes. I've only found them locally at specialty plastic shops. Otherwise it's order online and get ground shipping.

 

HD/Lowes sells a silicone that specifically for plastic that works VERY well, but it's not been determined to be reef safe.

 

Here are my tips for this project:

 

1) Don't use a hole saw if possible. In such a small area if there is any slight catch it will crack your acrylic. Hole saws have offset teeth so they're really grabby. Doesn't matter if you drill then cut the piece or cut the piece then drill acrylic is super easy to crack with a regular hole saw. I would use drill bits and drill holes all around then use a coping saw to connect the holes. Finish it off with a sanding drum in the drill. Alternatively use a router table for the best results. A grit hole saw may work, but you would probably gum it up with melted plastic.

 

2) Use super glue to assemble the box. It doesn't need to be water tight so no worries there. Super glue should hold it strong and it's completely reef safe when cured (and quicker than silicone). However, IMO silicone would adhere plenty fine for this application so you could use that too.

 

3) The score and snap method is less than ideal, especially for small parts. If you have a fine tooth hack saw with a steady hand you can get good cuts that way or just try the score and snap method but make lots of scores.

 

4) Seems like some thoughtful hole placement on the top would let air escape easier without having to twist it to get the air out. Maybe sand off a corner?

 

5) I think it would also be a good idea to put some sort of traction spikes on the bottom to sink it into the sand a little and maybe a weight also. I haven't used one of these before but I would think you want it stable and not shaking around when you connect the feeding device or it could scare the fish out.