Best way to glue?

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CaptainRedBeardd

Best way to glue?

Post: # 12120Post CaptainRedBeardd
Sun Sep 25, 2016 6:03 pm

Hey everyone, getting my own formicarium and outworld together..but, just a question.

What is the best way (and safest for the ants) to glue vinyl tubes to an acrylic outworld? Most of the silicone I'm seeing says don't use on plastics.. Even the aquarium safe loctite says no plastics.. What does everyone use? Or does the loctite aquarium silicone work okay?

Thanks!

AntLove5Ever
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Re: Best way to glue?

Post: # 12125Post AntLove5Ever
Sun Sep 25, 2016 7:18 pm

CaptainRedBeardd wrote:Hey everyone, getting my own formicarium and outworld together..but, just a question.

What is the best way (and safest for the ants) to glue vinyl tubes to an acrylic outworld? Most of the silicone I'm seeing says don't use on plastics.. Even the aquarium safe loctite says no plastics.. What does everyone use? Or does the loctite aquarium silicone work okay?

Thanks!
I use hot glue, tape, or silicone caulking.

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MadVampy
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Re: Best way to glue?

Post: # 12174Post MadVampy
Sun Sep 25, 2016 9:00 pm

Aquarium silicone or Food grade silicone are fine with acrylic. I've used it many times and it works great. Biggest thing is to let it gas out (during the curing process silicone emits a gas that can be toxic) a few days before you put ants into it.
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CaptainRedBeardd

Re: Best way to glue?

Post: # 12234Post CaptainRedBeardd
Mon Sep 26, 2016 8:45 am

MadVampy wrote:Aquarium silicone or Food grade silicone are fine with acrylic. I've used it many times and it works great. Biggest thing is to let it gas out (during the curing process silicone emits a gas that can be toxic) a few days before you put ants into it.
Perfect, thank you!

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RainbowScience
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Re: Best way to glue?

Post: # 12245Post RainbowScience
Mon Sep 26, 2016 10:31 am

CaptainRedBeardd wrote:Hey everyone, getting my own formicarium and outworld together..but, just a question.

What is the best way (and safest for the ants) to glue vinyl tubes to an acrylic outworld? Most of the silicone I'm seeing says don't use on plastics.. Even the aquarium safe loctite says no plastics.. What does everyone use? Or does the loctite aquarium silicone work okay?

Thanks!
I don't know the exact set up you are going for, but I think that not gluing tubes into place is the best option. If you have a way to fit them via friction it will be a secure connection, but you'll have the option to disconnect the tubing.

CaptainRedBeardd

Re: Best way to glue?

Post: # 12246Post CaptainRedBeardd
Mon Sep 26, 2016 10:34 am

RainbowScience wrote:
CaptainRedBeardd wrote:Hey everyone, getting my own formicarium and outworld together..but, just a question.

What is the best way (and safest for the ants) to glue vinyl tubes to an acrylic outworld? Most of the silicone I'm seeing says don't use on plastics.. Even the aquarium safe loctite says no plastics.. What does everyone use? Or does the loctite aquarium silicone work okay?

Thanks!
I don't know the exact set up you are going for, but I think that not gluing tubes into place is the best option. If you have a way to fit them via friction it will be a secure connection, but you'll have the option to disconnect the tubing.

Well, my biggest fear is a fire ant colony getting loose inside my apartment.. Haha. So I'm just trying to make it as secure as possible. I can always cut off the silicone, or the tubes, if need be. The way I'm building my nests will be incredibly cheap so, when I'm due to change nests, I can just throw out the old ones. I just don't trust friction-held only tubes..haha.

I did find some nice adhesive that is meant for acrylic and other plastics so, it should be fine. It is 100% silicone with no additives. It was in Home Depot right by the acrylic sheets.

Thanks!

parsonadhesive
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Re: Best way to glue?

Post: # 53635Post parsonadhesive
Tue Nov 13, 2018 3:02 am

Acrylic adhesives and acrylate adhesives provide excellent environmental resistance and fast-setting times when compared to other resins systems.
http://www.parsonadhesives.com/partite-parbond/acrylic-adhesives.htm

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