Building a new sump.

I am Maul · Feb 15, 2016

I'm going to start building a new sump using a 40 gallon tank that has been sitting around. I was discussing my plans with my LFS and was told that I will not be able to use a glass tank with Plexiglas panels. They said that the Plexiglas panels and the silicon will not bond with a glass tank.
Has anyone else had any issue with this? My first sump I built was extremely simple, and was built using a 20 gallon glass tank with Plexiglas panels. Never had any issue with them falling down or leaking.

fragit · Feb 15, 2016

Buy glass from a glass shop. I've read there is a video on bulk reef about plexiglass and making baffles for sumps and how it is not a good idea. I just got mine for my 40 breeder sump I bought 5 pieces of glass for $35 and silicone on Amazon. Boom sump.

I am Maul · Feb 15, 2016

I'm wanting to build something similar to an Emerald sump. A little too intricate for glass. With plexiglass I can router out all the openings just the way I want them.

SammyL · Feb 15, 2016

Just use regular glass the thicker the better, do not use very thin or it will brake.

Xclusive Reef · Mar 27, 2017

fragit said:
Buy glass from a glass shop. I've read there is a video on bulk reef about plexiglass and making baffles for sumps and how it is not a good idea. I just got mine for my 40 breeder sump I bought 5 pieces of glass for $35 and silicone on Amazon. Boom sump.

what size glass did you get from amazon?

fragit · Mar 27, 2017

nycluis718 said:
what size glass did you get from amazon?

Glass was from a local glass shop, silicone was from Amazon.

ReeferMaddness843 · Mar 27, 2017

I just got glass from a local supplier here for my 20Long sump I'm building. I got 1/4" plate that I had all edges rounded to prevent from slicing myself up when reaching in.

lion king · Mar 27, 2017

I have plexi baffles in my glass sump with no problems, this is the silicone I used http://m.homedepot.com/p/GE-2-8-oz-Silicone-Sealant-GE-57/202038072 ; it bonds to both plastics and glass and is reef safe.

mgoesma · Mar 27, 2017

I used Plexiglas. In my sump worked fine. Cost a lot more than glass but like you I wanted a complex design. You just use more silicone. And thick Plexiglas. More or less you cut the Plexiglas and run a bead on both sides to support it. Silicone doesn't stick to Plexiglas as well as glass but it is very doable.

bblumberg · Mar 27, 2017

I think that one key point is to make the Plexiglas baffles a bit smaller than you would glass to allow for the panel to expand as it absorbs a bit of water. Otherwise, you might get a cracked tank. I have dim recollections of 1/8" extra gap, but check this before taking my word for it...

Bruce

mgoesma · Mar 27, 2017

bblumberg said:
I think that one key point is to make the Plexiglas baffles a bit smaller than you would glass to allow for the panel to expand as it absorbs a bit of water. Otherwise, you might get a cracked tank. I have dim recollections of 1/8" extra gap, but check this before taking my word for it...

Bruce

I did about 1/8 in gap also. I didn't know about the expansion but it allows the silicone to stick better.