Need some mechanical help for adding fuge to sump

[Boochika]

I'm looking to add an acrylic partition to my sump so I can have a refugium section before my skimmer. I believe I have enough space for my skimmer and a 7" fuge section prior to the skimmer. This should be plenty IMO for my lightly loaded system so far.

I have aquarium caulking and superglue, however, I'm not sure how I can do this quickly and get it to dry without having my aquarium offline for a very long time which is obviously not ideal. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Current sump set up is a VERY large skimmer section then return section.

 

[Billldg]

Not really sure on installing it, but it you keep the water agitated you can keep the tank offline for several hours with no issues. I would aim a powerhead toward the top of the water to cause agitation.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

You could take the sump offline for a while (move your heater up to your display) and use your silicone on a glass baffle (not acrylic). Or you could just take your acrylic baffle and wedge it in tight without gluing it.

 

[Boochika]

You could take the sump offline for a while (move your heater up to your display) and use your silicone on a glass baffle (not acrylic). Or you could just take your acrylic baffle and wedge it in tight without gluing it.

My concern with wedging it would be separating the sump over time and damaging the sump. Is there anyway to glue/weld the acrylic?

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Is the sump glass or acrylic?

 

[Boochika]

Is the sump glass or acrylic?

Sorry for the confusion, current sump is acrylic.

Just trying to save ~$300 by modifying the sump I have instead of buying a new one. Also avoid the headaches of replumbing the whole thing.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Gotcha. Ya I'd just take the sump offline for however long it takes for acrylic weld to cure. Dont use the silicone. Make sure your tank has surface agitation and heat and it'll be fine.

Personally I'd take this as an opportunity to upgrade sumps. Get a cheapo tank from petco and have a local glass shop cut some baffles. Then you can take your time setting it up how you want it and just swap sumps when it's ready.

 

[Boochika]

Thanks I'll try it out.

 

[Thespammailaccount]

I went the lazy and cheapest route and bought a basket at the dollar store

 

[Boochika]

I went the lazy and cheapest route and bought a basket at the dollar store

I didn't even think about this. Any chance I could get a look to get an idea. I'm thinking like a 6 x 4 hang on basket with some sort of lighting for it.

 

[Thespammailaccount]

I didn't even think about this. Any chance I could get a look to get an idea. I'm thinking like a 6 x 4 hang on basket with some sort of lighting for it.

The basket works great. It has slots for water movement and the bottom two inches or so there is no slots so I added some miracle mud and some bio media and rubble rock for pods. The bright green piece of plastic was another basket that I cut a piece of to give some more height. I much rather spend money on coral

 

[xxkenny90xx]

The basket works great. It has slots for water movement and the bottom two inches or so there is no slots so I added some miracle mud and some bio media and rubble rock for pods. The bright green piece of plastic was another basket that I cut a piece of to give some more height. I much rather spend money on coral

Love it!

 

[Boochika]

Does the basket just float in your sump against a baffle or is it secured somehow?

 

[BrandonS]

basket idea is awesome!!

if you wanted a removable acrylic baffle using door weather stripping from home depot on the edges of the acrylic baffle lets you get a snug fit to wedge it in without putting so much pressure on it.

 

[Boochika]

basket idea is awesome!!

if you wanted a removable acrylic baffle using door weather stripping from home depot on the edges of the acrylic baffle lets you get a snug fit to wedge it in without putting so much pressure on it.

You guys are too clever. Just have to match acrylic thickness with weather stripping. Not even match it, just can't be too thin. Great idea. Easier to remove also.

 

[Thespammailaccount]

Does the basket just float in your sump against a baffle or is it secured somehow?

It has some rubble rock in it that keeps it from floating