DIY Sump Baffles

[ccejka]

I am going to cut my own glass baffles for a 40B sump, all I can find at the hardware stores is 1/8" was hoping to use 1/4" but do you guys think 1/8" will be fine if I can find any 1/4?

 

[rahger]

1/8” should work.
you could call a local glass shop. They might have some spare 1/4” glass for scrap or be able to cut it for you pretty cheap.

 

[Ruben's Reef]

I would go with 1/4". 1/8" is too thin and can broke easy.

 

[ccejka]

I would go with 1/4". 1/8" is too thin and can broke easy.

Guess I will be calling some glass shops in my area

 

[burnetb1]

I second thicker glass. 1/8" will work, but it can break easy. I had 1/8" glass in my first sump and I did break it on accident while moving things around. I cut up an old hex tank and used the glass for my new baffles. The benefit to this is there was an angle ground into the edge of the glass and this helped keep the flow over the baffle laminar (smooth) so I never needed bubble traps.

 

[Apotack]

I bought a 20long at the petco $1 per gallon sale and used the glass for baffles in 40b sump

 

[ccejka]

Found a glass shop that is going to cut the baffles at no extra charge now just have to figure out how big I want the baffles.

 

[WvAquatics]

What's your planned layout? Are you building a refugium in the sump also?

 

[ccejka]

What's your planned layout? Are you building a refugium in the sump also?

I am going to do a smaller skimmer chamber and larger refugium. It will be a 40B display so the skimmer that I am using now (BH50) or even if I upgrade will fit inside the 10" x 11 3/8".

Here is a rough paint I threw together trying to get my dimensions

 

[ccejka]

Only think I am not comfortable with off the top of my head it the front to back on the 40B

 

[Vinman]

Guess I will be calling some glass shops in my area

I garbage picked my glass for baffles. Cutting was surprisingly easy.

 

[WvAquatics]

That's about how I am planning my 40 breeder sump for a 40b display also. The 6x10 section on top left what's that section for?

 

[ccejka]

The section there isn't actually 6x10 that is the size of the glass, that is a 2"x 6" chamber that I will plumb 2 one inch drains in to and then the water will flow up and through the filter sock. I have the same thing on my on my 75G sump. I keeps a lot of water noise down.

Once it goes through the filter sock I am drill two 1 1/2" holes for the water to flow into the skimmer chamber. From skimmer chamber I will drill 6 1 1/2" holes into the skimmer chamber and I am going to set the water height by the next baffle. I will probably have to raise my skimmer up but that will bee super easy.

 

[WvAquatics]

Ok gotcha. I'm building my first saltwater and sump so I'm just learning different methods. Excited to see the build.

 

[ccejka]

Ok gotcha. I'm building my first saltwater and sump so I'm just learning different methods. Excited to see the build.

I have only been in the hobby for about a year but this is my 3rd build and I helped a buddy of mine and my brother do builds also and I am just trying learn and keep making them nicer. I went this was so I can have the biggest fuge possible.

I am still considering doing a algae turf scrubber over the fuge tho.

 

[WvAquatics]

I have 4 freshwater tanks. My gf wants saltwater so I'm building one. This is a loose plan of my sump.

I might adapt your idea and put a drain behind filter socks. This is based on a bubble magis curve 5. I might go for the 7 so might need some changing up some

 

[ccejka]

I am going to have my glass hopefully by the weekend and I will get it built I would post pictures

 

[WvAquatics]

I will be excited to see!

 

[scottedontknow]

try and get at least 3/16th thick. 1/8th will work BUT with 1/8th your running the risk if it snapping/chipping/cracking. it will hold the water just fine BUT if you hit it while moving a pump of during cleaning youre going to regret not going with 3/16 or even better 1/4in!

 

[Bigtrout]

try and get at least 3/16th thick. 1/8th will work BUT with 1/8th your running the risk if it snapping/chipping/cracking. it will hold the water just fine BUT if you hit it while moving a pump of during cleaning youre going to regret not going with 3/16 or even better 1/4in!

That 1/8 glass stinks...get 1/4 from a glass shop and have them buff the edges. My glass for a 40 breeder sump cost 20 bux out the door. The 1/8 glass at home depot was 15. Then id have to cut and sand it...and then its so fragile.
The glass shop was a no brainer!!!!