Sump Baffle Material?

[tinpusher]

I am turning a old 50 gallon into a sump/refugium. I am using a design found at the following link.

http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/sumps/f/sump_f.html

I phoned Industrial plastics and was quoted $25 per sq. foot cut to size for aquarium 1/2" acrylic. Is there a cheaper plastic that will serve the purpose. I don't need to see through it as the refugium viewing will be through the 50 gal. glass.

Thanks for all your help, this is a great forum

Doug
the question man

[muck]

so what is the 1/2" acrylic for..??
If its for baffles i would just get some 1/4" glass pieces cut at a local glass shop. Or if you have access to 1/4" glass from somewhere cut it yourself. Its pretty easy.

[Delphinus]

Muck's right, you don't need 1/2" acrylic for baffles. That will cost a fortune.

Go with glass. Securing acrylic to glass can be fun (by "fun" I really mean "not fun"). It's far easier to secure glass to glass (using silicone). Silicone sticks really well to glass, not so well to acrylic.

Cut glass should be cheaper even if you get it at a glass shop, but if you can find scraps or whatnot you can probably do it for a pretty minimal price. "Clear float" is I think what you want to look for (aka "standard glass"). 1/4" or 6mm should be OK. I would think that for baffles since they're not holding water back you could get away using 4.5mm, although I myself have always used 6mm. Maybe someone else can comment on using 4.5mm for baffles..

Anyhow just my $0.02.. Good luck!

[tinpusher]

Acrylic is what was used on the site where I found the plans. I also thought acrylic woud be easier to work with as I have never done anything with glass. I will call the local glass man today and get a quote. Would you cut the baffles exactly to width (ie snug) or leave a bit for silicone between the baffle and tank side? Is there any specific silicone that you recommend? Are all silicones toxic free?

Thanks Muck and Delphinus

[reeferaddict]

Go with even 3/16" acrylic.... can cut with a carbide saw blade carefully, or a triple ground if you have one... make the panels 1/8" smaller than you need and then run beads on both sides... had mine like that for 2 years with no problems.... you aren't going for strength... just redirecting the water flow...

[Invigor]

if you've got a glass cuter, a yard stick and a tube of silicone, working with glass is much easier than acrylic. I think the 3 combined would be cheaper than a saw blade.

and if you didn't notice, marc's sumps are 100% acrylic, and he builds loads of them, so he's a champ at working with the stuff.

a tip if you go the glass route: ask them to sand down two corners of each piece of glass that touches the bottom of the tank -- It will make for an easier fit against the bead of silicone that's already there.

I use "Silicone I Kitchen and Bath" by GE found at most hardware stores.

[tinpusher]

Was wondering what to do at the bottom corners. I did not know they could sand corners of glass. Thanks Invigor. Any suggestions on type of silicone?

[Invigor]

Originally Posted by tinpusher

Thanks Invigor. Any suggestions on type of silicone?

Originally Posted by Invigor

I use "Silicone I Kitchen and Bath" by GE found at most hardware stores.

edit: I guess they don't make silicone I anymore, silicone II should work fine as well.

[muck]

Originally Posted by Invigor

edit: I guess they don't make silicone I anymore, silicone II should work fine as well.

I just bought 3 tubes of the silicone I a week ago at Home Depot.

[zulu_principle]

Hi Doug

Make sure the silicon says "safe" or "ideal" for aquariums.

Let me know if you want to go with plexi, I have lots available and can cut to the dimensions required.


Wendell
www.oceanaquatics.com