DIY Sump Thread
- Thread starter bendeng
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Fin
Professional Procrastinator
Thanks!
Idoc
Getting lazier and lazier with upkeep!
Not acrylic but none the less not less than that...
Nice! Where did you get the blue acrylic sock holder? I scrapped my sump build plan because I couldn't find one of these...and didn't have the equipment to cut that large of holes in either acrylic or glass!
TherealplexiG
Well-Known Member
I'm not from the USA.
I'm professional tank manufacturer.
But you can ask your local plastic shop to cut couple of plates for you, they can't do it in laser cnc or cnc router.. It doesn't matter how they do it, you need to provide them dimensions. The one with the bigger hole will have the outer diameter of upper lip so it sits flush in the bottom plate.. Hope it makes sense..
Jim Harrison
Active Member
Question about DIY sumps:
I can't find a 40b low enough in cost to make using one much more cost effective than just buying a premade.
So my question is this: What different types of materials can I use to build the sump tank and baffles? I've heard acrylic, I've heard ABS, etc. Aside from glass, what are my options?
I can't find a 40b low enough in cost to make using one much more cost effective than just buying a premade.
So my question is this: What different types of materials can I use to build the sump tank and baffles? I've heard acrylic, I've heard ABS, etc. Aside from glass, what are my options?
Xclusive Reef
Valuable Member
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2016
- Messages
- 1,591
- Reaction score
- 852
Are you guys using weld on 3/4 for the sump builds? Over time how well are these premade sumps going to hold up and not leak?
Had anyone used 3/8 acrylic baffles in a glass sump? I have lots of time to let it bond. But I want to make sure baffles are not going to warp or break?
Had anyone used 3/8 acrylic baffles in a glass sump? I have lots of time to let it bond. But I want to make sure baffles are not going to warp or break?
Fin
Professional Procrastinator
Watch for Petco's dollar a gallon sale, which comes up fairly often and you can get one for $40.
OP
OP
bendeng
Community Member
We used 3/8 acrylic baffles in a 55g glass sump, did not hold, the acrylic kept warping to pressure. In a smaller tank, it may be ok.
The acrylic bonds are strong if done properly. Idk about premade, but. I'm sure the experience and professionalism would leave the acrylic builds to be the strongest. Maybe worthwhile the extra costs for reliability and customer support should anything go wrong.
TherealplexiG
Well-Known Member
I meant they can instead of they can't....
Fin
Professional Procrastinator
Glass is not difficult to work with, if you have a few simple tools. All you need is a good glass cutter, a straight edge and some cut running pliers. Just takes a little practice. Kind of a lost art nowadays.
Of course, your local glass shop will be glad to cut some 1/4" plate for you. That's all you really need for baffles in a sump. Be sure to have them cut to fit inside of the sump with a little breathing room on each side. You don't want the glass to fit tightly inside the sump. The silicone will fill the space.
This is my 40B sump that I built a few years ago. I cut all the baffles and other details out of scrap glass I had from older projects that I took apart.
Of course, your local glass shop will be glad to cut some 1/4" plate for you. That's all you really need for baffles in a sump. Be sure to have them cut to fit inside of the sump with a little breathing room on each side. You don't want the glass to fit tightly inside the sump. The silicone will fill the space.
This is my 40B sump that I built a few years ago. I cut all the baffles and other details out of scrap glass I had from older projects that I took apart.
Xclusive Reef
Valuable Member
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2016
- Messages
- 1,591
- Reaction score
- 852
Confused cause I read a lot of posts where people use acrylic baffles and it works well. I think it all depends on how much silicone and dry time is used to let the silicone bond. I would not think 3/8th would warp or bend being that's a pretty thick size.
OP
OP
bendeng
Community Member
I may be confused with the 1/8" [emoji23] it was thinner than the standard 1/4" which we ended up using and has worked great.
Xclusive Reef
Valuable Member
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2016
- Messages
- 1,591
- Reaction score
- 852
oh yea well big difference between 1/8 and 3/8th.. you did not have any issues with 1/4th inch? how long did you have the baffles in the tank? just asking cause I want to make sure it will last and not have issues in like 1 year from the time they were installed.
OP
OP
bendeng
Community Member
1/4" worked fine in the 55g sump, all still in tact and tank has been running for 4 years. We did break on baffle literally yesterday but we just upgraded our skimmer and cracked it trying to squeeze the skimmer in [emoji45] going to replace the baffle this weekend. Used regular aquarium safe silicone, nice even layer smothered over both sides of each seam.
Xclusive Reef
Valuable Member
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2016
- Messages
- 1,591
- Reaction score
- 852
MY Opinion after trying to cut Acrylic it was a PITA. I damaged my dremel cutting sock baffles out. Just get the baffles from a local glass store. I was just quoted 5 baffles $35 bucks cash.. All I have to do is glue it and all done. I wish I had done better research when I was thinking about cutting both glass and acrylic myself.
