Habitat - Indoor :: Adhering suction cups to PVC pipe...

[windowsforeyes]

Could someone tell me what kind of silicone (or other adhesive) I should use to adhere suction cups to PVC pipe?

I bought a 4" T shaped one and a 4" elbow shaped one for Ollie and Lucy, but they won't stay under water on their own and I need a way to keep them at the bottom. Suction cups seemed perfect but now I can't get them to stick to the pipe!

Thanks!

[megcornell]

It would have to be aquarium silicone because that's non-toxic. But I believe silicone doesn't stick well to the sides of PVC.

Is there some way you could put something inside the pipe to weigh it down like sand?

[Vtolds]

I would just go t0 a hardware store and by Aquarium Safe Silicone. It is safe too use and is rock hard when it is fully cured.

[windowsforeyes]

I've tried the aquarium safe silicone and you're right, meg, it doesn't work at all. it acts like the sticky stuff they use to attach credit cards to paper when they send them to you in the mail -- the suction cup pulls right off and then balls up as you rub it off.

i guess i'll try putting something inside of it to weigh it down. i've seen other people who have used pvc pipe in their tanks -- grey goose was my inspiration with his amazing set ups, perhaps i'll message him to see what he did...

thanks again!

[grey goose]

Aquarium silicone (or any kind of silicone/adhesive) will not stick to PVC for very long.
The only thing I know of is an epoxy called "Mr. Sticky". It's a two part epoxy that needs to be mixed.

http://www.a-a-i.net/underwater.htm

Get it here:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... catid=8534

[Vtolds]

I would ruff the PVC up first like if you were putting plumbing together so the glue sticks. You could even go as far as drilling a small hole in it. Hve it big enough to fit the end of the section cup threw but small enough it grabs onto it tightly, not the suction end but the other end.

[FLhaven4strays]

Dunno, but GreyGoose managed it (see link below for pics)

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6372

I've heard superglue is aquarium safe from a friend who has multiple tanks (fish & turtle) but I've never researched it further than that.

[mikee]

Depending on the suction cups you may want to seek a mechanical solution. Some suction cups have a pointed end that is disigned to be pushed through a solid plate or "pipe" You may want to drill a hole in the pipe and also glue that end in the hole. Not seeing the suction cup, I can only guess.