Malta Aquarist Society

Is there any sealant available on the market, which is not toxic to fish and can adhere glass to jablo?

My intention ... this may sound crazy .. but it may work out ... I have some jablo boxes in which I have some coldwater sp. and are left running throughout the year in the backyard of our house. This winter, for example I had rosy barbs, killifish and a weather loach in three units running (like the ones described above). Fish are healthy ... however they can only be closely observed when netted and placed in a clear container.

Just crossed my mind, the idea of replacing the front panel with a glass one .. however will have to find a good sealant .. and still will have to do the adequate struts cause as some of you might know, the boxes (described above) tend to expand alot when filled with water.

I'm all ears to hear your thoughts and ideas. Any help???

 Why don't you build some tanks Charlon ? In my opinion it's safer and you enjoy more the fish.  If such a sealer exists maybe Martin can help you

Just like T3ddy, I also think that it's better to build glass tanks, as "jablo" is not that safe.

 Thanks for the replies guys .. glass tanks would be a solution, however would like to know if this works. What do you mean by not that safe Seracin??

I don't think that "Jablo" & glass is a good mixture. After fixing the glass with the "jablo" box & you fill it up, the "jablo" can make movements (at least that what the boxes that I have do) & may crack the glass sealer. Another thing, some "jablo" boxes (like those that import fish in) might leak by time...

If you don't want to use glass, you might use plastic, as long as there's no direct sunlight or else you can buy heavy duty tanks.

Sorry to be the one to tell you this, but in my opinion this is imposible. Cause as you will fill up the containers with water the gablo will expand while the glass will not. I dont think there is such sealant which will take such difference and keep both different materials together.

Was a lovely idea though. If something comes into my briliant mind I tell you

Lol thunder, guess you're right.

What  if instead of replacing the whole front side one cuts say a 15 x 15 cm 'box' in the front panel where then glass can be attached. There will be much less movement on that side on it's own.

Something similar is used in ponds as a see-through glass. 

 It could work like that I guess (keeping in mind that ponds are not made of jablo ) but with all the respect still I don't see the point.   I guess you could try one and fill it carefully and monitor it for leakages etc . I don't think it would look very neat either with the hole but that's just my opinion

Maybe you can try to make some sort of frame round the jablo in front where there'll be the
glass to keep the gablo in place and not opening. I dont know, this requires thinking.
Would be wise to use the gablo boxes.

 All the silicone I know will dissolve jublo on contact. You can " build "  a layer of fibreglass inside the jablo cases and to the front of the jablo cases so that the silicone will adhere to the fibreglass and not to the jablo. By this method, you will be also reinforcing the jablo cases and will not expand when filled with water.

martin

Thanks Martin for the detailed explanation.

However seems this idea is too complicated ... thought it will be much easier lol. I'll keep using the jablo boxes and will use glass tanks where constant observation is required.

Thanks to everyone for sharing his thoughts.