sump/fuge ?'s

[Dozer]

I am planning out my first attempt at a sump/fuge (previously I ran a 55gal. that didn't have either). This will be on a new tank I'm setting up, a standard 125 (6' long, 18.5"deep to give an idea of the stand size). Due to space and location restraints the sump/fuge have to go under the stand. Here's my main question: I Would like to know what you all would recommend. Two separate tanks- say a couple 20's or 29's- one for sump one for fuge, or one combined unit- say a 55 gal.?

[Brett Wilson]

If you combine them the plumbing will be simpler. I think it'd be easy to make a 55 be dual purpose.
If you wanted to you could even divide them by putting an acrylic wall in the middle of the 55 so water has to go over it to get to the other side....

[StephenA]

55 Gal would be nice, split it up the right way. My 30 Gal sump takes up 90% of the room in my stand. Make sure your combo can deal with about an inch of water from the tank when the power goes out. My tank fills the sump up to about 3-4" from the top of my 30 when the power goes out.

[Dozer]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. I took your advice and bought an old used 55 off of craigslist. I'll reuse my 20 gallon sump I already have as a sump/fuge combo on my other display I already have up and running (55gal).

Btw, anyone know if there's any reason I can't use acrylic in the glass tank instead of glass panels for baffles/dividers? How about a minimum thickness I should use on them?

[brewercm]

You should be able to use acrylic in there. Just cut to size and silicone them into place, I would think the thickest stuff they sell at Home Depot would work fine for that.

[Henry]

Mike I'm using a 55gal as a sump for my tank. I used acrylic to seperate the sump compartments. I would have recommended something other than the 55 b/c it is so narrow. Originally I had mine setup the way you are going to do yours, but I then decided to go with an above tank fuge. Best of luck.

[Ram_Puppy]

I thought acrylic and silicone did not bond well?

I was just looking at the acrylic they have at home depot, it's very expensive, I think buying glass might be a more wallet friendly route.

just my two pence.

[Tim Marvin]

Silicone will not bond to acrylic. Ram is correct. Use glass, or build an acrylic sump. I can help you with it if you'd like or Dan down in San Antonio builds some very nice one from what I hear.

[Dozer]

I already grabbed an old 55gal. glass tank so I want to use that if possible. I'll just go with glass baffles instead of acrylic. Is this going to cost me a fortune to get hold of small, custom sized sheets of glass?

[Dozer]

Tim- Thanks for the offer, I just may take you up on that...

[Tim Marvin]

I've built some useing light grates. Bring the tank by and we'll build it sometime.

[matt]

It shouldn't be too expensive to get glass cut to size at HD or lowes.