View Full Version : sump dividers
sarah_elizabeth
06/06/2011, 07:51 PM
Does everyone here just cut their own or do they sell them pre measured?
Either way, I'm looking for a good website or store to buy the appropriate materials. I have a 29 gallon tank I'm not using that I could use for a sump, would that be okay or do I need one that is more long than tall?
Read a few tutorials and now I think I have a pretty good idea on how to do it, just need to get started. :bounce2:
disc1
06/06/2011, 08:20 PM
All depends on your budget and skill. If you got the dough, you can go to a glass shop and have custom pieces made just right to fit. If you're like me, go to Home Depot or Lowes and get a good piece of plexiglass and cut it up. Get the thicker stuff, too thin and it will bend. Glue it in with silicone. It don't have to look pretty if it's a sump.
firebirdude
06/06/2011, 08:28 PM
Glass is cheaper than plexi fyi
RocketSurgeon
06/06/2011, 08:32 PM
glass silicones to glass better than plexi to glass.
Josh_Canada
06/06/2011, 08:34 PM
i have acrylic perferated with 1/4" holes, acrylic is also alot easier to work with if your going DIY.
firebirdude
06/06/2011, 08:35 PM
glass silicones to glass better than plexi to glass.
Yeah but silicone is plenty strong enough. And, not to split hairs, but a sump divider doesn't need to be anything special.
dublo8
06/06/2011, 09:05 PM
Hd and lowes both sell glass pre cut for picture frames. It's not very thick but I have used it on 3 sumps and never had a problem. Nothing is going to bend as long as there is equall pressure on both sides of the glass/plexiglas. The glass may not be perfect size but a glass cutting kit for $8 isn't a bad investment either.
It's true that a sump doesn't have to be pretty but I enjoy looking at mine and use the five as a secondary "private" display.
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Phuster
06/06/2011, 09:18 PM
I just made a 29 gallon with sump dividers and baffles. Go to Lowes they have glass and can cut it for you.
I have a 29 gallon tank that I made a DIY sump out of as well. For the panels I used 1/4" glass custom cut from a local glass shop. They cost me around $10 each for them. Then just silicone them in place, let dry, and you're done.
Toddrtrex
06/06/2011, 11:09 PM
I have always used (( 6 sumps )) acrylic baffles with a glass sump, secured with silicone, and they hold just fine; one still holding strong after 7+ years.
With the 2 newest ones I made -- 20 long -- I was able to pick it up by just one baffle and held strong. I like the flexibility (( no pun intended )) that acrylic offers, the better fit -- able to nip the the bottom corners to account for the silicone bead on a lot of tanks.
Chris27
06/07/2011, 06:54 AM
I have always used (( 6 sumps )) acrylic baffles with a glass sump, secured with silicone, and they hold just fine; one still holding strong after 7+ years.
With the 2 newest ones I made -- 20 long -- I was able to pick it up by just one baffle and held strong. I like the flexibility (( no pun intended )) that acrylic offers, the better fit -- able to nip the the bottom corners to account for the silicone bead on a lot of tanks.
What that guy said....
Except I use amazing goop instead of silicone, I think it holds just a little bit better and I don't have to use the stupid caulk gun....
PCFisher66
06/07/2011, 07:45 AM
I just had some glass cut at Lowe's, the cuts are free and they have the tools to do it easier and make cleaner cuts.
RocketSurgeon
06/07/2011, 08:03 AM
I just had some glass cut at Lowe's, the cuts are free and they have the tools to do it easier and make cleaner cuts.
I do not recommend glass from Lowe's, as it is easily cracked or broken. It is too thin for my taste.
The sump is where i do most of my work. I'm already in cramped quarters. I don't want to be extra careful not to break a baffle or cut myself. I want to be able to get in, get the work done, and get out.
phenom5
06/07/2011, 10:30 AM
I've used both, both work.
Acrylic to glass isn't ideal, but since baffles have pressure on both sides of the baffle, it works just fine, and that's what my baffles in my sump are now.
Glass to glass is a "better" solution. Find a local glass shop, and they cut your baffles for you for pretty cheap. FWIW, I got baffles & the glass to build a shelf overflow on my last tank from a local glass shop for right around 25 bucks.
I've never used the stuff from HD or Lowes, but I agree with RocketSurgeon, seems like it would be too thin.
firebirdude
06/07/2011, 10:37 AM
HomeDepot and Lowes sells a couple different thicknesses as well as a couple different varieties. Agreed that the cheapest thinnest plexi (think it's .092") is not really good for anything other than covering picture frames. But they sell all the way up to .25" I think. They also sell Lexan (which is about x10 as strong), but I guess that's beside the point seeing as how it's also twice as expensive.
Anyway, using glass or plexi, the silcone is PLENTY strong enough to hold the bond. Even without any water pressure. And as I said, it's just a baffle. It could even leak water and it wouldn't be a big deal. Let's not over-engineer this.
Toddrtrex
06/07/2011, 10:39 AM
Heck, my first sump's baffles were made with the thin plexi, and it held for 7+ years, even the part that was under pressure. It did bow a bit, and I switched to the 1/4 inch stuff, but still worked.
evsalty
06/07/2011, 10:53 AM
able to nip the the bottom corners to account for the silicone bead on a lot of tanks.
That can be done on glass as well. It is called dove's tail or something like that. I had 4 baffles of 3/16" cut like that for a 20L and also had the edges seemed to be safe to handle for less then $40.
I personally would never use the HD and Lowes glass, I tend to be rough on things, and I DID stress this to Dublo8, but I believe him when he says his use of that glass has worked just fine.
FWIW I have also used acrylic baffles but now that I have used nice thick glass I will always use thick glass.
http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu343/evsalty/40br/CIMG2379.jpg
jkcoon
06/07/2011, 11:05 AM
Personla preference but for the small price difference, i'd lean toward having it custom cut out of thicker glass from a glass shop... they call also smoth the edges so you don't risk cutting yourself.... just my two cents though
ccalabro
06/07/2011, 11:20 AM
I made my baffles with the .25 thick plexi from HD, and actually it bows quite a bit. At some major maintenance interval, I will definitely silicone in a brace. If I had it to do all over again, I would definitely do the baffles in .25 glass.
Gold Stripe
06/07/2011, 12:05 PM
3/16 glass is the way to go. Take a dremel to the bottom corners and round them off to allow for the bottom tank bead. Silicone them in place and forget it. Nice and strong and secure. Bump it with the skimmer or the return pump and no worries.
Qtip760
06/08/2011, 01:38 AM
You can use acrylic, but glass is better for a glass tank. Local glass shops charge ~$5 a piece(cut to fit), so really no reason not to use glass. If you do chose to use acrylic be careful not to cut the pieces to snug because it will expand after getting wet and can break your tank.
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