Sump cover material that won't bow?

drawman · Apr 1, 2017

Since I've switched out my pump I get a decent amount of salt spray around where the drain is and I was thinking of adding a cover to that portion of the sump. I'm assuming over time acrylic would bow and not hold up well does anyone have recommendations for a material choice? Polypropylene perhaps? Thanks!

Gloryofthereef · Apr 1, 2017

How big is your sump? There are many different thicknesses of plexi that you can buy. In most sumps, there is a thickness of plexi that would work fine as a long term solution. Styrene egg crate might also work as a base that you could glue or zip tie plexi to if it didn't solve the spray issue on its own.

cilyjr · Apr 2, 2017

The thicker a piece of plastic is the least likely to bow. A piece of glass will not bow but it will be more difficult to cut out properly. I've seen a sump with foam board insulation as well. That served to prevent heat loss as well.

fallenlordz · Apr 2, 2017

I used lexan in the past - works alot better than your standard acrylic. Never bowed on me, and its tons stronger.

cilyjr · Apr 2, 2017

Polycarbonate (lexan) will absorb moisture as well (this is why it bows). It may work better than plexiglass but it might still bow.

You could try cutting some strips and attaching them to the sheet to act as ribs to hold it in place. I'd put them on the top (dry side) rather than underneath