Help! Sump brace needed

[BostonReefer300]

Hi All,
My acrylic sump (66"Lx48"Wx16"H; there's no top or rim---basically a 3-sided rectangle with a totally open top) has been slowing bowing out in the middle. The middle compartment is large so I'm guessing the weight of the water over time just stressed things in the middle. Does anyone have a suggestion for a brace? Even something I can just pick up at Home Depot? I've been searching online and can't find anything that looks suitable. Acrylic thickness is 3/4". Thanks!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi All,
My acrylic sump (66"Lx48"Wx16"H; there's no top or rim---basically a 3-sided rectangle with a totally open top) has been slowing bowing out in the middle. The middle compartment is large so I'm guessing the weight of the water over time just stressed things in the middle. Does anyone have a suggestion for a brace? Even something I can just pick up at Home Depot? I've been searching online and can't find anything that looks suitable. Acrylic thickness is 3/4". Thanks!

Simply add eurobracing. Easy to do. Use Weldon instead of glue- no silicone

 

[ca1ore]

HD doesn't carry acrylic of adequate thickness; you'd have to go to somewhere like US Plastics. I'd probably just put a cross brace on, since it's a sump; but eurobracing would certainly look better.

 

[BostonReefer300]

Thank you both for the suggestions. Eurobracing won't work great here because of the cover on my filter sock compartment. A simple center brace is probably the way to go. Any suggestions? I'm looking at the Home Depot website but don't see anything suitable. In my mind, I'm picturing something simple---like a rod that has an L-shaped claw on each end and something in the middle that allows me to tighten it