Habitat - Indoor :: Help with ATBA

[Mistic811]

I want to glue a 3 sided "box" of plexiglass to ceramic tile. The silicon doesn't seem to want hold on to the plexiglass. Any suggestions are appreciated.

[steve]

Silicon won't stick very well, that's normal. Is there anything beneath the tile?

[Mistic811]

I was just going to have it sit on the ledge on top of tank. It's cut to fit. I've silicon my old turtle dock to bottom of it.

[penelope]

Yeah, I tried that. It lasted less than a week. Even epoxy is a challenge. You can try sanding the edges to make them semi-porous and try epoxy, but don't assume it will work.
After umpteen dollars spent on Plexiglas, I have given up on it.
It is good if embedded in a sturdy frame (i.e, as a window in a wood frame), but I have yet to have any luck trying to make it work as a standalone.
I have a post somewhere on here showing a basking area I made with the same concept as yours. It looked real pretty, but I tossed it before the week was over.
Try a frame of some sort and I am sure it will work.
Good luck.

[Mistic811]

I bought a different type of silicon. 100% silicon made for plastic and plexiglass. I got it all together last night and it looks really good. I hope it doesn't fall apart. seems pretty stable. I didn't skimp on silicon application that's for sure I plan on putting it on tonight. I didn't want to do it this morning because I won't be home today and if it does fail I want to be there. Probably gonna be snowed in tomorrow so I'll see if my girls decide to use it. I'll post some pics tonight.

[steve]

I would think about some brackets, but you would need to drill a few holes into the tile.

Silicone won't adhere well to plexiglass or acrylic, I'm not sure of any other kind out there.

[Mistic811]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mReJB4qc9QU


I just found this video...the guy played with 3 different silicones to see what held up better. Not highly scientific or anything but the one that did the best is the one I used on my stuff too. So maybe I'll be ok.

[Mistic811]

Some pics for you all to see.

[penelope]

It looks very nice.

[Mistic811]

It looks very nice.

Thank you! So far they haven't tried it. I know it may take a few days.

[sperez3]

yeah I gave up on the silicon too. so I have all egg crate now. the turtles like it better becasue they think i cant seem them as well lol. It took me 3 weeks to get my new dock right.

[Mistic811]

They were up there last night after the lights were all out. They figured out there were some tasty shrimp up there. Lol I'm wondering if the sides may not be high enough?? They are 5" tall. I think I'm good on the silicone, the brand I used seems to be working very well.

[steve]

Looks nice! Have you thought about clear packing tape to strengthen it? 5" might be too short, especially if they cooperate on an escape.

[Mistic811]

Looks nice! Have you thought about clear packing tape to strengthen it? 5" might be too short, especially if they cooperate on an escape.

Lol Steve, I was thinking the same thing...if they stack up one could totally get over the edge! I may need to make some modifications. It's always a work in progress isn't it?

[Mistic811]

My husband caught one of them (webber I think) up on the tile.