Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

The only way I have cut lexon plastics or anything [and I have cut hundreds ] is use a small diamond [tile cutting disk ] in an angle grinder
As the others have said just test by cutting a 1/4 in strip off one side

Lexan is tough. I shook a jigsaw to bits trying to cut some years ago. I would suggest a thin metal cut off disc with the anglegrinder and wear a dust mask. Or as F&F suggests, a diamond tile cutting disc.

Just realized it is Makrolon not Lexan. Same diff?

Makrolon = polycarbonate

See: http://www.usplastic.com/knowledgebase/ ... entkey=445

DONE. That was f-ing stressful. I ended up using a diamond tile cutting disk in the angle grinder for the job. Was literally was sweating a breathing like I'd run a marathon.

But it got done and the Makrolon didn't shatter or crack... Woot woot!

Now to clean up the edges and drill new holes in the clean sides.

amazing progress. Bummer about the leak. Good luck with your fix.

Be careful drilling the new holes.
Been a while since I drilled any, but we used to use special bits. Make sure it is clamped down and backed by wood that has no holes in it. If the drill grabs the back of the sheet as it goes through you may chip or crack the plastic.

Secret of drilling holes in plastic is use a blunt drill it wont grab and pull through

Melting holes them through with a hot soldering iron removes the risk of shattering too, but might not give as neat a hole.

An undedrwater video camera would be so much simpler!

I used an ordinary drill bit and had no issues.

Have used the Sikaflex to help make the two outlet caps on the bottom of FT#2 watertight.

How long do I need to let the Sikaflex cure before filling the tank?

One day will do 2 days better

We would like to visit your family and system in October as we travel in Australia. Can you PM us for more info?

Drumroll please!!

Ok so two questions:

(1) How likely is it that scoria will leach/contain lime or other carbonates?

I want to order my scoria tomorrow but the supplier is quite far away and I won't have the luxury of a vinegar test for reactivity.

(2) There is still a very slight leak around the outlet tap at the bottom of FT#2. Which is now full of water.

If I smear some more Sikaflex around the outside of the outlet will this fix it? Or will I have to empty the tank again to fix it properly?

Question one I would just use it are you fishless cycling
Two no do it right the first time empty it