Glass Sump

[dwdenny]

I know some of you use old tanks as sumps and some use acrylic. I was looking into build my sump aout of 1/4" glass. It will be 26X15X15 with the baffles inside would I need to brace the top like you would for an acrylic sump. I am just asking I might still get Reef One to build the sump out of acrylic he gave me a great quote. But One of my 4-H parents owns a glass shop and I am sure I can get a good price on the glass.

[Bug_Power]

I have a 36x 18x16 acrylic tank and don't run any top bracing. the baffels inside depending on how you baffel it act as a brace. Also you can Euro brace the tank easily and cheaply on that tank. You can do it fine without bracing we have build a 40x 24x24 out of 3/8 acrylic with no bracing other then the baffels and it holds fine as well. Build our setup, test it out and see if it stresses or bows. If you feel the need to brace, just go back and add one. Not a big deal. We built our sumps an nearly 1/4 of the cost of "custom we buy the stuff and weldon it for you" tanks. Do it yourself and you'll enjoy it much more. Most sign shops can get you acrylic and plane the edges for you straight. Acrylic for both sumps was around $100 with baffels and everything cut. Throw in a single bottle of weldon, and your done! plus you can repair or build skimmers and such with leftovers!

[LoneStar]

Acrylic can be easier to modify or fix later on. Its a lot easier to drill if you don't have diamond glass bits. I built my sump and refugium with acrylic and did not really have to do much cutting. I sent my drawings to Regal Plastics, they cut out all the shapes and then all I had to do was drill the bulkhead hole and glue them together. Both the sump and refugium cost only $100 for the material and cutting costs. It would be cheaper if you bought a sheet of acrylic and then cut it yourself, if you got the right blades and tools.

[Bug_Power]

if you have a table saw and a striaght edge your 1/2 there. A laminate blade works well, basically you don't want to melt the acrylic and at the same time not gouge it. I definatly reccomend having someone run the edges through a planer to make it all square. It's amazing what weldon and some pipe clamps can do though!

[dwdenny]

That is the problem no table saw. I know it can be done with a circular saw with the right blade a big "T" Square. The problem I run into with Acrylic is I have to go to SA to get the weldon and acrylic. It wouldn't be bad if I was only an hour away but I am 4hours. That is why I was asking about glass plus I know a couple of show owners that would give me a good price( I think they will). I was on garf.org the other day looking at the their DIY plans and it said 1/4" think that would think enough or should I bump that up to 3/8" to be on the safe side. I know that acrylic would be easy to do but I just dont have all the right equipement to do it correctly and so I dont feel comfortable doing it.

[GaryP]

Doug, Try here. They have a store in SA too.

Regency Plastics
(956) 687-9105

[dwdenny]

Will call them and see but I think I called them a while back and they didn't carry acrylite just plexi and lexan I think. Will call again.

Edit: Don't sell acrylic period errrrrr

I think I will be going with glass as I can get it easier and I dont have to drive to Corpus or SA to get the supplies and Weldon. I know it will be heavier then the acrylic. Will have to campare the cost as well I know that I can have Regal cut the pieces I need for about $90 plus the weldon another 10 (for #4 and #16 plus applicator). Will call about the glass here in a bit and see what that will run me. Will 1/4" be good or should I ask for 3/8"

[LoneStar]

1/4" glass may be ok but if you could go to 3/8", it sounds like more peace of mind to me...

[dwdenny]

yeah me too after I think about it. Thanks for the input everyone

[Andrew]

A 20 gallon high glass tank has close to the dimensions you're looking for. 24 X 16 X 12. All you'd have to do is add the baffles.

Andrew

[GaryP]

I have 30 longs under both my tanks. I don't even have baffles. Sock filters work better for controlling bubble then baffles and you get the added benefit of filtration.

[dwdenny]

well it is going to be a sump/fuge so I am adding the baffles to seperate the sections more then anything. Will be using three over-under-over for the skimmer section and just one for the fuge part.

Called around town here and got a price for the sup/fuge of $47.00 for all the pieces 1 25 1/4"X14 1/4" two 26"X16" and two 16X14 1/4" all 3/8" thick. Once built I will measure and get the beffles cut to about 1/16" small and silicone those in as well. For acrylic it would have cost me $93.00 plus the drive to SA plus the weldon. I don't think I will have any problems with glass but I will build and let dry 72 hours before water testing. WIll keep everyone updated but may be the end of the month before I start. Thanks for everyones input.

Doug