My friend needs your help for sump

alpburakozbay · May 11, 2020

Hello guys. My friend made a sump from the glass. But he made the sections from plexiglass and glued with aquarium silicone.
I have read that the glass and the plexiglass are separated over time when glued with silicone.

Do you think it would be a problem?
What should be used for smooth adhesion of glass and plexiglass?

Thanks for help.

Caseyoidae · May 11, 2020

Ya, they may come apart. I’ve had it happen. Best bet is to switch to glass baffles. Have them cut at a local glass shop or buy glass at Home Depot and try your hand at it. I think it’s easier and almost as cheap to go the glass shop route

alpburakozbay · May 11, 2020

Thats his sump.

Caseyoidae said:
Ya, they may come apart. I’ve had it happen. Best bet is to switch to glass baffles. Have them cut at a local glass shop or buy glass at Home Depot and try your hand at it. I think it’s easier and almost as cheap to go the glass shop route

Hm, I think so too... He won't give up on the plexyglass, he has worked hard. I don't know.

ReefLab · May 11, 2020

IMO if you silicone it well it should be fine

if it’s not, you have to remove the sump for three days while you get new glass baffles & silicone them in/cut these out. Not fun but not like it’s going to cause a leak onto the floor.

alpburakozbay · May 11, 2020

ReefLab said:
IMO if you silicone it well it should be fine

if it’s not, you have to remove the sump for three days while you get new glass baffles & silicone them in/cut these out. Not fun but not like it’s going to cause a leak onto the floor.

Yes, that is right.

WvAquatics · May 11, 2020

I used e6000 adhesive for my sump that's a 40 breeder and plexiglass. Seems to be holding well for now.

alpburakozbay · May 11, 2020

WvAquatics said:
I used e6000 adhesive for my sump that's a 40 breeder and plexiglass. Seems to be holding well for now.

How long have you been using your sump? Isn't it harmful to the fish?

WvAquatics · May 11, 2020

Once cured it is safe for aquarium. I have only had it running 2 weeks so not a true test of time but it's holding up well now

alpburakozbay · May 11, 2020

WvAquatics said:
Once cured it is safe for aquarium. I have only had it running 2 weeks so not a true test of time but it's holding up well now

I see. Very thanks, so how is this cured? How to?

WvAquatics · May 11, 2020

Just letting it dry

Slawman · May 11, 2020

As long as there is some travel in the joints this will be fine. The main problem with plexiglass and glass is that they expand and contract at different rates and to different extent but the silicone joint will act as a shock absorber. Also all of the fail points if they are only baffles wont result in a leak so that is also good.