I am building a water installation that runs down a vertical piece of
glass, but I am having trouble on attaching the catchbasin at the
bottom of the glass. I am not sure how to attach it so that the basin,
which is made of metal doesn't come uncaulked after a few months of
water falling into it. What is the best way to attach a catch basin to
a vertical piece of glass?

Donovan Greene

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Clarification of Question by bigdumps-ga on 10 Sep 2003 07:35 PDT

This is not a glass aquarium. This is a water installation where I
have water running down the face of a 12 foot by 8 8 foot wide piece
of glass. An aquarium is an entirely different thing and is not
suitable for this situation. As for the type of glass. It is glass, it
doesn't matter whether its tempered or non or dichromatic or whatever.
So I don't see how the glass type affects anything. THe metal is cast
iron. I am aware the water will eat through anything all I'm concerned
about is dictating the time scale. I'm looking for something that will
last a decade not a month. It cannot empty into the basin because the
bottom of the glass is tied into the building structurally due to it's
huge weight, so there is no way to get underneath it or to surround it
on all sides with the basin because of how it is going to be framed
with aluminum for support. The basin must attach to the face of the
glass, but it has to be caulked with something that will stand up the
wear of the water.  I'm not sure what that is though?

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Clarification of Question by bigdumps-ga on 10 Sep 2003 07:39 PDT

Firstly, An aquarium won't work for a pleothora of reasons, mainly
because I'm not trying to build an acquarium. IT's wrong
aesthetically.

Second. the bottom of the glass, which is 8 x 12 is framed in aluminum
and tied into the concrete floor, so there is no way to make a basin
which goes underneath the glass or around the glass.

Thirdly, How does glass type affect this? It's just regular
non-tempered 3/8 inch glass.
Fourth. THe metal is cast iron.

Fourth- THe basin must be caulked to the glass itself, but I need
something that will be resiliant enough to stay watertight for years.

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Request for Question Clarification by sublime1-ga on 11 Sep 2003 21:02 PDT

Donovan...

Have you considered silicon caulking? This is used
in very large aquariums, and many contractors are
using it for bathtub caulking as well, since it 
lasts longer than regular caulking.

Interesting question.  I suppose rather than re-invent the wheel, you
might explore glass aquariums with metal frames.  Another thought is
why must it be attached to the metal basin?  Can it be manipulated in
such a way that it simply empties into the basin?

Also, the answer to your question will depend on the type of glass and
metal.

Eventually, water will wear through anything.  Visit the Grand Canyon.

Why not have the glass surrounded on all sides by the basin?
 __________
| _______  |
|__________|

have you thought of using a short piece of glass glued to the glass
wall to direct the water flow away from the base of the wall and into
the basin? Thus allowing the basin to stand alone. The glass can be
ground at an angle so it slopes down. To stop drips a smaller piece
can be glued at a right angle under-neath.(like a windows drip rail)
Another idea is to build to glass basin straigt onto the front of the
wall. Then a fancy surround can be used, that will last as long you
like. As long as it's supported and sits on polystyrene it should be
fine. The only thing is that the centre supports will be vertical so
the water does'nt splash.
The glue that is suitable is Silicon window sealer one with a fish
tank shown. I've used it to make several 8ftX2.5ftX2.5ft fish tanks,
one of which survived an earthquake.
Hope this helps or gives you some ideas, Good luck.

the tank on the wall would use the the wall as its back. useing window
sealer it makes the water safe for pets and wildlife.

I am not really an expert of any sort in this area, but I would
suspect that it's the slightly porus nature of cast iron that makes
this difficult.

I have not got the resources to run any tests, but I would try a
two-part epoxy. It can form a very strong bond. Also, I am not sure
from your description if this fixing agent is supposed to support the
whole weight of the catchment tray, but if it is, I imagine that will
make it significantly more difficult too. I'd suggest discrete screws
or pegs through the glass to help support the weight.

Just my thoughts.

Regards,
Sycophant-ga