Baffles how tight?

OldSaltMan1 · 12/10/2008, 03:47 PM

I am going to have baffles cut for my glass sump. How tight/close should the baffles be cut? I would just think they need some gap down the sides for the silicone. How much space should I allow? Anyone have baffles cut that were too tight or too loose? I am using a 29g tank that will have 5 baffles installed.

billdogg · 12/10/2008, 04:06 PM

i use acrylic cut to fit loosely, then just use a healthy bead of silicone to hold them in place. I prefer the acrylic because of possible breakage of glass

OldSaltMan1 · 12/10/2008, 04:31 PM

Thanks, I have build with both glass and arcrylic, but with all my projects I have not been able to get the two to stay together for any length of time using silicone, or anything else!

barjam · 12/10/2008, 05:42 PM

Properly done acrylic baffles will stay in a glass tank using nothing but silicone. You have to support the front and back of the baffle though.

If you use acrylic make sure you leave a 1/8 or better gap otherwise when the acrylic expands (warm water) it will crack your tank.

OldSaltMan1 · 12/10/2008, 05:46 PM

OK, what do you mean by "support the front and back"?

Linina · 12/10/2008, 06:41 PM

I had some glass baffles cut to the exact dimension of the space available and the shop cut them on the generous side of my measurement. I had to return them and get them re-cut. On the re-cut they were obviously being cautious and I'd say I had maybe a 1/8"gap. We did not have any trouble getting them in.

Now for unrelated reasons I had to take these out. I can say that the parts where there was a slight gap were easier to get out because you could slide a razor in there. Some of them were more flush and we couldn't get a razor in there to cut the silicone and it was very very difficult to get them out. All in all, all of the baffles were so hard to get out that I am amused that I worried whether they would be good and stay and all that.

I replaced them with more glass baffles (the first ones were too tall, ordered 9" ones instead of 11" ones). I have never tried acrylic ones.

OldSaltMan1 · 12/10/2008, 07:05 PM

Thanks, that is what I was looking for. I think I will have mine cut about 1/8 smaller. That would allow me some wiggle room!

12/10/2008, 03:47 PM	#1
OldSaltMan1 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 113	Baffles how tight? I am going to have baffles cut for my glass sump. How tight/close should the baffles be cut? I would just think they need some gap down the sides for the silicone. How much space should I allow? Anyone have baffles cut that were too tight or too loose? I am using a 29g tank that will have 5 baffles installed.

12/10/2008, 04:06 PM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	i use acrylic cut to fit loosely, then just use a healthy bead of silicone to hold them in place. I prefer the acrylic because of possible breakage of glass __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

12/10/2008, 06:41 PM	#6
Linina Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Aurora, Colorado Posts: 366	I had some glass baffles cut to the exact dimension of the space available and the shop cut them on the generous side of my measurement. I had to return them and get them re-cut. On the re-cut they were obviously being cautious and I'd say I had maybe a 1/8"gap. We did not have any trouble getting them in. Now for unrelated reasons I had to take these out. I can say that the parts where there was a slight gap were easier to get out because you could slide a razor in there. Some of them were more flush and we couldn't get a razor in there to cut the silicone and it was very very difficult to get them out. All in all, all of the baffles were so hard to get out that I am amused that I worried whether they would be good and stay and all that. I replaced them with more glass baffles (the first ones were too tall, ordered 9" ones instead of 11" ones). I have never tried acrylic ones. __________________ 40 breeder, Elos Mini Current Tank Info: 40 breeder, elos mini

12/10/2008, 04:31 PM	#3
OldSaltMan1 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 113	Thanks, I have build with both glass and arcrylic, but with all my projects I have not been able to get the two to stay together for any length of time using silicone, or anything else!

12/10/2008, 05:42 PM	#4
barjam Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,695	Properly done acrylic baffles will stay in a glass tank using nothing but silicone. You have to support the front and back of the baffle though. If you use acrylic make sure you leave a 1/8 or better gap otherwise when the acrylic expands (warm water) it will crack your tank.

12/10/2008, 05:46 PM	#5
OldSaltMan1 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 113	OK, what do you mean by "support the front and back"?

12/10/2008, 07:05 PM	#7
OldSaltMan1 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 113	Thanks, that is what I was looking for. I think I will have mine cut about 1/8 smaller. That would allow me some wiggle room!