40 breeder build
- Thread starter BlueDevil
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BlueDevil
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Thanks Dave! The acrylic baffle experiment didn't go so well. The baffles leaked more than I anticipated in a couple of hours. So I ended up calling a ton of glass shops regardless of whether or not they were listed as auto glass places. I found one that is going to cut me the baffles out of 1/4" glass for only $10 a baffle. So it's back to the glass baffle plan.
All in all it will end up being a lot more water tight and I can now use silicone without any concerns about adhering.
So thank you for the silicone link. I'll pick that up and can finally get my sump completed this weekend.
If you've got glass I'd go with standard silicone over the one I sent a link for. The link is best for bonding acrylic to glass and is what I used. Just make sure you get the one for aquariums (can't remember if it is type I or II).
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BlueDevil
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Yeah, GE Type I is the most common that I have seen. The other one I have seen is listed as aquarium safe. I believe the brand is DAP - sold at HD.
Reefrookie220
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The stuff made by DAP for aquarium use comes in tiny tubes, ending in more cost than 1 tube of GE with leftovers, slide a nail into the nozzle and it'll stay good for a while...not forever. Lol.
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BlueDevil
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Come on Yash, just pair up that overflow box with a Synergy sump......
Just the Synergy sump by itself would be more expensive than everything I have so far - tank, overflow, stand, rock & light!
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BlueDevil
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Me too dude!! It would have been awesome if it did with the flexibility it would have provided. It is the bottom silicone that caused the issues. Even after easing the corners of the baffle to contour around the silicone it still leaked. I just can't see how it's possible to get a completely airtight seal.
In any case I'm glad I gave it a shot. Was worth it to experiment.
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BlueDevil
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It turned out really nice, Yash! Can't wait to see the tank sitting on it!!
Thanks guys! It's amazing how much all the little bits add up time wise. Getting in I figured I'd have this whole thing ready to roll in a month. It's still probably a few weeks away at the very least before I can transfer tanks.
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BlueDevil
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I painted the inside bottom of the stand and about a foot lip on the vertical inside sides with Flex Seal liquid (the kind you can brush/roll on). The rest I painted with white exterior paint.
I have a mixed experience with the Flex Seal.
1. I couldn't get it to roll on because of its viscosity/tackiness. The roller would end up sliding instead of rolling. Painting with a brush worked much better.
2. This was an error on my part but painters tape to mask the boundaries is critical. I went free hand without thinking that I was only going to paint part of it. End result is that when it came time to paint with regular paint, there was no clearly defined boundary. As a result some of the paint that overlapped with the flex seal started beading since the rubber wouldn't hold the paint.
3. It can get quite expensive ($40 for a 32 oz can).
The jury is still out on its hardiness and how well it holds/lasts. I figured this tank would be a good test subject for future builds. Hopefully it will be as tough and waterproof as their goofy commercials make it out to be.
Sorry for the long winded explanation. Figured I'd provide all details since this is more of a journal on my build [emoji4]
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BlueDevil
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Thanks guys!
Yeah Mark. That was the idea of going with white. That should make it a lot brighter inside the stand.
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