First post, need a little help verifying my math on sump tank

[TwistedMind]

So, im about to have some glass cut and just wanted to verify this math before spending the money.

1 x 48 1/2 x 20 1/2 ( Bottom )
2 x 48 1/2 x 15 3/4 ( front and back )
2 x 19 1/2 x 15 3/4 ( Ends )

This will give me a sump measuring 48 1/2 x 20 1/2 x 16

with a water depth of 12 inches it will make the sump 50 gallons, well 49.8 but we will call it 50.

1/4 glass should be fine as long as I dont fill over 14 inches correct?

return chamber will be 12 x 20 " , Refugium 21 x 20 " , inlet 12 x 20 " , Skimmer will sit in the inlet box, over flow pipes will be seperated in a 6 x 10 chamber

I have some plans I drew up but I cant figure out how to use the new scanner. lol

will be a bubble trap between the refugium and return pump, Do these numbers make a square water tight box provided I silicone properly?

[allan]

Hey dude,

Welcome to MAAST. There are a few of us out there in port A... if you don't already know that. :)

Quick question, since you're working out a sump, why don't you go acrylic? I think it would save you money over material costs, definitely lighter.

[EpicWin]

Check your math. 19 and 1/2 is a full inch shorter than 20 and 1/2. U said 1/4 inch glass. Shouldn't it be just 1/2 inch shorter?

[TwistedMind]

I live in Aransas Pass and I am very glad to hear there are locals, because honestly im the only person I know who wants a aquarium LOL.

[TwistedMind]

Check your math. 19 and 1/2 is a full inch shorter than 20 and 1/2. U said 1/4 inch glass. Shouldn't it be just 1/2 inch shorter?

Yay, see this is why I posted. LOL

so the ends should be 20 x 15 3/4

[TwistedMind]

Hey dude,

Welcome to MAAST. There are a few of us out there in port A... if you don't already know that. :)

Quick question, since you're working out a sump, why don't you go acrylic? I think it would save you money over material costs, definitely lighter.


I really don't think acrylic would save any money, in fact I think it would cost more.

1/4 glass locally cut, edged, and seemed is going to cost me 4 dollars a square foot.

The only place I know to get lexan is lowes and it runs 60 dollars for a 4ft x 3ft sheet.

Unless you know a local supplier of polycarbonate that i do not.

[TwistedMind]

Yea so I just called the local acrylic shop and it will cost double what glass would.

[rrasco]

Glass bonds better to silicone anyways, the plexi can get expensive and flexes if you don't use thick enough material. I've used it before, but I like my glass sumps more.

Welcome. Nice to see you make the jump from RC.

[BBQHILLBILLY]

Just curious.Why dont you get a used 75. By the time you buy all of your silicone and glass, wont it cost the same amount?
All you need to do is cut some baffles the way you like it. What size sw tank will you be using for display?
If you do decide to build from ground 0, post under diy. I would like to follow the thread.

[TwistedMind]

Just curious.Why dont you get a used 75. By the time you buy all of your silicone and glass, wont it cost the same amount?
All you need to do is cut some baffles the way you like it. What size sw tank will you be using for display?
If you do decide to build from ground 0, post under diy. I would like to follow the thread.


going to be a 75 GDT , I just figured if I built my own i could keep the water level low enough for cheap lights ( 12 " ) , and i could lay it out the way I wanted instead of the way im forced to.

I bought a used 40 of CL yesterday thinking I could turn it into a sump, but its not going to work, I guess they had it set up as a terrerium and one of the end glases was cut in half. So I wasted 40 bucks, However I am thinking about taking it apart and cutting it up to make my baffles.

If you have a used 75 I would be very interested in purchasing it. But I haven't found one for any sort of reasonable price yet. Everyone wants retail for their 5 year old tanks. What I would really like is a 40 long, can run around 100 gallons total volume.

So far I have, 75 GDT, 6" reef octopus pinwheel skimmer nwb150, Maxspect Razor 160 W 27 inch LED lights, 2 visitherm 300 W heaters, glass holes 1500 GPH overflow,danner mag 9.5 return pump, pro test kit, refractometer, Mikro portable 75 GPD RO/DI filter, and 175 gallons worth of red sea coral pro salt, tat im wishing I didnt buy after reading alot of reviews about it being cloudy.

Im going to run my plumping through the living room wall into my garage, the girl friend okay'd it. so I need to build two stands, a sump, got to buy a Quarantene tank, then set all this stuff up, and start shopping for live rock and sand. Thinking ill go with 80 pounds of sand, 20 pounds of live rock, and 55 pounds of dead rock I hope will seed.

Then I can start picking out CUC, and fishes.

[TwistedMind]

So, i got a second 75 gallon tank for free. 75 gallon display, 75 gallon sump anyone? Seems like a waste to me but I might make it work if I can't find a 40 breeder for cheap pretty soon.

[reefreak]

usually petco has $1 to gallon sales you might want to check there