Buliding a 180g sump filter

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
h0ckeyfreek20

h0ckeyfreek20

Candiru
MFK Member
May 22, 2012
235
23
48
NJ
Hey everyone!
Need some advice advice.

I would like to set up a drip tray in my 180g sump... From my experience, acrylic does not bond well to glass, flexes too much, and is hard to cut/drill.

I'd like to know what kind of plastic you guys use in your sumps that can be safely and effectively glued to glass? a bonus would be easy to cut/drill.

and

What is your adhesive of choice? I've heard of aquarium silicone and Loctite super blue gel. Any experiences?

Thanks all!
 
h0ckeyfreek20 said:
Hey everyone!
Need some advice advice.

I would like to set up a drip tray in my 180g sump... From my experience, acrylic does not bond well to glass, flexes too much, and is hard to cut/drill.

I'd like to know what kind of plastic you guys use in your sumps that can be safely and effectively glued to glass? a bonus would be easy to cut/drill.

and

What is your adhesive of choice? I've heard of aquarium silicone and Loctite super blue gel. Any experiences?

Thanks all!
Click to expand...



If your sump is under the aquarium hidden in a stand another option would be is using one of the plastic utility towers from Walmart they come in a variety of sizes 3 drawers, 4 drawers and 5 drawer. You would just have to make a template and use it to drill the holes. I got the idea from Joey off of diy Fishkeepers.
Btw you don't have to utilize every drawer unless you wanted to.
 
tlindsey said:
If your sump is under the aquarium hidden in a stand another option would be is using one of the plastic utility towers from Walmart they come in a variety of sizes 3 drawers, 4 drawers and 5 drawer. You would just have to make a template and use it to drill the holes. I got the idea from Joey off of diy Fishkeepers.
Btw you don't have to utilize every drawer unless you wanted to.
Click to expand...

I already have the 180g under the tank set up and running. Just trying to modify it
 
I used a sheet of white nylon for my baffles. It worked really well and it sticks to silicone really well, plus is easy to drill and doesn't crack like acrylic. The only downside is you have to source a sheet that is food grade (I got mine for free as it was left over from a job and it is cheaper to get a whole sheet rather then getting what you need cut). Anyways i hope this helped and good luck.

Thomas.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tlindsey
Why can't you use glass? Make the drop tray out of acrylic then use glass for the baffles and the drip tray holder
 
  • Like
Reactions: tlindsey
Lepisosteus said:
Why can't you use glass? Make the drop tray out of acrylic then use glass for the baffles and the drip tray holder
Click to expand...

I have never had good luck cutting/drilling glass or thin acrylic. I don't know why haha. And when I mess up a nice sheet of acrylic its pretty costly. Was looking for a more machinable plastic.

I ended up going with HDPE 3/4" thick. cutting board material. And Poly-Weld adhesive from Tap Plastics. When I called them, they said the Poly-Weld adhesive would not harm the fish once cured.
 
h0ckeyfreek20 said:
I have never had good luck cutting/drilling glass or thin acrylic. I don't know why haha. And when I mess up a nice sheet of acrylic its pretty costly. Was looking for a more machinable plastic.

I ended up going with HDPE 3/4" thick. cutting board material. And Poly-Weld adhesive from Tap Plastics. When I called them, they said the Poly-Weld adhesive would not harm the fish once cured.
Click to expand...
I was going to suggest using ceramic tile for baffles next
 
h0ckeyfreek20 said:
I ended up going with HDPE 3/4" thick. cutting board material. And Poly-Weld adhesive from Tap Plastics. When I called them, they said the Poly-Weld adhesive would not harm the fish once cured.
Click to expand...

I believe that's "marine board"? That's good to work with. But what problems did you have cutting or drilling acrylic?
 
Lepisosteus said:
I was going to suggest using ceramic tile for baffles next
Click to expand...

Lol

DN328 said:
I believe that's "marine board"? That's good to work with. But what problems did you have cutting or drilling acrylic?
Click to expand...

Yup its easy to work with but the only thing that can glue it to glass is this Poly Weld Adhesive and Tap plastics is saying it will be fine for fish.. so I hope they are correct haha

Drill speed was the main problem. No matter what I did, I couldn't get the Bit not to bite hard into the 3/16" acrylic. Ended up running the bit in reverse and basically melting the holes. Very tedious for the drip tray on my old 125g sump
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom