DIY sump questions

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Jesseliu13

Jesseliu13

Polypterus
MFK Member
Jun 27, 2012
1,129
140
96
Holmdel, NJ
Im going to be building my own sump out of a 55. I am planning on using acrylic. Does it matter how thick the acrylic is? i see a range between .09 to .22 inches. which one should i use for a 55 gallon sump?
 
To me I hate using acrylic especially in as a sump's baffle. I used to use it for my tank canopy but they tend to warp in time even with 1/4" thick acrylic. I rather use 1/8" glass than acrylic in any situation for sump baffle. My sump I used 1/4" glass as baffle and cover. I just drill my glass cover for holes for drain and return. My sump's hanging glass in air is about 3/4" above sump bottom. It can be lower for Ur 55. I just have small thin wood lying around my house so I just used it to keep the suspend glass n keep the 2 baffle glass seperated. It's a great learning experience for DIY user to design our own sump or any type of filter for our beloved monsters.



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soupa2 said:
To me I hate using acrylic especially in as a sump's baffle. I used to use it for my tank canopy but they tend to warp in time even with 1/4" thick acrylic. I rather use 1/8" glass than acrylic in any situation for sump baffle. My sump I used 1/4" glass as baffle and cover. I just drill my glass cover for holes for drain and return. My sump's hanging glass in air is about 3/4" above sump bottom. It can be lower for Ur 55. I just have small thin wood lying around my house so I just used it to keep the suspend glass n keep the 2 baffle glass seperated. It's a great learning experience for DIY user to design our own sump or any type of filter for our beloved monsters.



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Click to expand...

Hey man, thanks for helping out. But isn't glass more expensive? And also harder to score and cut? I plan make my sump very similar to your build, just instead I'll have a bio all drip plate


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if too hard for you then go to any window or glass shops let them cut it for you.. here around my area charge about $10-15 for 1/4" thick glass.. so if you use 1/8" thick it's even cheaper...if you have any Qs you can PM me...
 
If the 55 gal tank is glass, use glass as baffles. Measure your pieces needed and go to a glass store.
You have to remember that the baffles are going to have pressure behind them and silicone to glass won't be strong enough.
Even using all glass, make sure you wipe the surface down with alcohol to make a good bond with the silicone.
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burbon44s said:
If the 55 gal tank is glass, use glass as baffles. Measure your pieces needed and go to a glass store.
You have to remember that the baffles are going to have pressure behind them and silicone to glass won't be strong enough.
Even using all glass, make sure you wipe the surface down with alcohol to make a good bond with the silicone.
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Click to expand...

I see, I will use 1/8 inch glass baffles then. Can I cut them by hand?


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