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AirAngel
Active Member
Your correct. Keepin my fingers crossed
Built my first sump today.
- Thread starter AirAngel
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Your correct. Keepin my fingers crossed
thejoshdavis
Valuable Member
I started on mine this weekend too, with Lexan. After filling it up and testing 2 baffles, the warping was more than enough for me to balk. I'm ordering a full sheet of 1/4in acrylic and will cut it up as needed.
I was going to do 12in tall baffles, but I'm rethinking that already too.
Acrylic Solid Sheet, Meets UL 94HB Specifications, Clear, 0.250" Thickness, 12" Width, 36" Length: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
I was going to do 12in tall baffles, but I'm rethinking that already too.
Acrylic Solid Sheet, Meets UL 94HB Specifications, Clear, 0.250" Thickness, 12" Width, 36" Length: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
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AirAngel
Active Member
OK..So all this talk had me a little concerned about this issue. I started considering the outward pressure or force exerted by a column of water.
This is an issue dealing with physics. The equation can be accessed on NASA's website. I found my scientific calculator that I havent used in 20 years and low and behold the batteries are dead.
So I decided to keep it simple and do a physical evaluation.
I filled the overflow and return section with fresh water (in the rain) leaving the bubble trap chambers empty. After a 1/2 hour, I found the distortion/warpage to be no more than 1/4" in my application, a 40b with baffles 1/4" thick X 17 3/4" wide x 10" tall. When all chambers are full this force is equalized. Keep in mind that this distortion on this exact material will be greater if the length, and or height is increased. I feel the only possible failure (the lexan wont break) could be the silicone seams.
Worst case scenario, water floods into a chamber of less water volume. I can live with the possibilty of this situation.
Mike
This is an issue dealing with physics. The equation can be accessed on NASA's website. I found my scientific calculator that I havent used in 20 years and low and behold the batteries are dead.
So I decided to keep it simple and do a physical evaluation.
I filled the overflow and return section with fresh water (in the rain) leaving the bubble trap chambers empty. After a 1/2 hour, I found the distortion/warpage to be no more than 1/4" in my application, a 40b with baffles 1/4" thick X 17 3/4" wide x 10" tall. When all chambers are full this force is equalized. Keep in mind that this distortion on this exact material will be greater if the length, and or height is increased. I feel the only possible failure (the lexan wont break) could be the silicone seams.
Worst case scenario, water floods into a chamber of less water volume. I can live with the possibilty of this situation.
Mike
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Singlefin
Valuable Member
+10.... Also I believe acrylic doesn't attach to silicone too good. Acrylic tanks are glued not siliconed together. It's more like a wedge holding it in place whereas glass is glued in place with silicone. It may be fine now but when it fails in the future and you have to take it apart, scrape the corraline and algae off and redo it, you will disturbing your fuge ecosystem and will have to start it again. Also the risk of bumping it out of place during maintenance and removal of your skimmer for cleaning. Just not worth the time. Glass Baffles are $6-10 at a glass shop.
Dowtish
5000 Club Member
LOL!
All this is very true. I know of folks that have used acrylic baffles on glass tanks, but I wouldnt be able to sleep at night, knowing it could possibly fail.
thejoshdavis
Valuable Member
I'm still shopping glass cutters for 1/4in glass. $60 for 4 pieces seems a bit steep.
Bootstrap
Active Member
thejoshdavis
Valuable Member
That is somewhat local. I'm checking with other shops around town.
Bootstrap
Active Member
thejoshdavis
Valuable Member
I just got off the phone with Hamilton Glass in Murfreesboro. 4 cut to order pieces, 1/4" glass is $24. Looks like they are my people.
Bootstrap
Active Member
