DIY sump Need Input
- Thread starter koop171
- Start date
Conner;3925498; said:
I am now looking into a DAP alternative unless someone can tell me for sure that they have used this GE silicon I before with no dead loss over time. I hate to buy the All Glass brand silicone b/c it's so expensive ($20 per tube)
Conner;3925726; said:
Thats all I needed to hear. You're the third person to say it's ok to use and have used it so I'm going to.
I've got the tank all ready to start the sump build. I've got the glass pieces cut, egg crate cut, Tank cleaned, Silicone bought, Pump, bio media, chemical media, Plexi for drip plate (not drilled yet)
Looks like I just need to cut my PVC legs for my bio chamber and cut and drill my plexi drip plate and I'm ready to go.
Now I just need to fiugre out what I'm going to do for tops on this sump? But I'm not going to worry about that yet.
I'll start the build tomorrow and I'll make a new thread when I'm done with it so I can get all the info and pics into one post.
koop171;3926388; said:
Have fun drilling that drip plate
. Always a good time, and your arms feel like jello afterwards...Tops would probably be best made out of acrylic, so you can cut to fit around any hoses/pipes and electrical cords.
Conner;3926530; said:Have fun drilling that drip plate
Tops would probably be best made out of acrylic, so you can cut to fit around any hoses/pipes and electrical cords.
That's what I was thinking for the topd but My concern is the acrylic bowing. I made tops out of acrlyic for another tank I have and the pieces were only 12"x12"x.224" and it still bowed over time.
How would you prvent the bowing?
koop171;3927698; said:
You could cut some small 1" wide pieces of acrylic the same width as the lids, then glue them to the top (or bottom) of the lids, so that they are perpendicular to the lid (forming a T), and that will help brace them to prevent bowing.
I used 1/4" acrylic for my sump lid, and while it does bow, it still sits in the lip of my 55g sump just fine. The bow also provides a place for the condensation to focus and drip back into the sump from...
Wow you guys covered a lot of ground since yesterday 
Conner was right about my media selection/suggestion. There are a few manufacturers of different density foam to use as media though it can get a bit pricey. For cheapos like my you could use something like a car washing sponge for your course sponge, something like a dishwashing sponge for your medium and something like quilt batting for the fine stuff.
Why I prefer my design to layering pads is it creates an even distribution of flow through your available surface area. It is also easier to create a no bypass situation.
Like Conner said, GE1 Window & Door silicone is perfectly safe for aquarium use. The Kitchen and Bath version of all GE silicone has an unsafe ammonia based additive to prevent mold & mildew. The GE2 line of silicone uses an evaporating agent the leaves the silicone (to a lesser degree) mold & mildew resistent and this evaporating agent may have accumulating long term effects.
DAP's plus line of silicones is comparable to GE2, the non plus line is comparable to GE1, and DAP's kitchen & bath also uses an ammonia based anti mold & mildew additive.
Conner was right about my media selection/suggestion. There are a few manufacturers of different density foam to use as media though it can get a bit pricey. For cheapos like my you could use something like a car washing sponge for your course sponge, something like a dishwashing sponge for your medium and something like quilt batting for the fine stuff.
Why I prefer my design to layering pads is it creates an even distribution of flow through your available surface area. It is also easier to create a no bypass situation.
Like Conner said, GE1 Window & Door silicone is perfectly safe for aquarium use. The Kitchen and Bath version of all GE silicone has an unsafe ammonia based additive to prevent mold & mildew. The GE2 line of silicone uses an evaporating agent the leaves the silicone (to a lesser degree) mold & mildew resistent and this evaporating agent may have accumulating long term effects.
DAP's plus line of silicones is comparable to GE2, the non plus line is comparable to GE1, and DAP's kitchen & bath also uses an ammonia based anti mold & mildew additive.
