Modifying Existing Sump Baffles

[goody]

I purchased this sump due to its size and to go with my eventual tank upgrade which is now 4 years behind schedule, but due to COVID, I brought home my inhabitants from my classroom tank and started an 80g. The sump is 48x 20x 20.

First chamber: 20 x 15.5 (includes 12x15.5 skimmer area and 8x15.5 for drain and 2 filter socks)

Middle chamber: 20 x 17 wanted to have this as refugium

Third chamber: 20 x 8 return

The way the baffles were installed, they keep the water level about 1.5 inches from the top of the entire length of sump until return section.

Is there a way I can modify these baffles w/o damaging the sump. I'm thinking I can probably cut them down the height of the baffles, but I've never worked with acrylic and probably don't have tools/bits to do this. I can also probably cut "slits/openenings" in the baffles at the height I want water level, but again not sure if tools or if this is possible with middle baffles.

Water is not as high as it would normally be right now. I'm not even having water go to 3rd section that will eventually be my true return section. I've slowly been moving pump over chambers as I would get more water for tank and sump.

 

[goody]

Anyone?

Maybe you cut teeth in an acrylic overflow and you can share what tools or bits you used. That information would even help me out.

 

[ca1ore]

Not sure I entirely follow the layout of the sump, but acrylic sheet can be cut/routed with regular wood working tools. If you have a set of bimetal hole saws and can get the drill body in there, that might be the easiest way to adjust water levels. Trim router would work also. You'd have to be careful to not split the acrylic, but going slowly and not routing out too much material per pass will help.