Built my first sump today.

[AirAngel]

I followed a patented design by Dowtish.
Hope it works! jk

 

[Bootstrap]

What goes into the middle

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[gmoney243]

Hey gratz looks good

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[Rhino]

Looks good!

 

[Dowtish]

Very nice! The middle is a fuge section btw.

 

[11f150]

Im eventually wanting to do this to my 40b, Ill have to get some info sometime. Looks real nice

 

[Singlefin]

Looks like the return pump is going in the middle and fuge on the right. Don't think you need that much space on the right if the pump is going there. Very nice.

 

[Dowtish]

I have mine designed almost exactly like this (minus a couple of inches), and the return section is that big to limit evaporation.

 

[AirAngel]

Looks like the return pump is going in the middle and fuge on the right. Don't think you need that much space on the right if the pump is going there. Very nice.

I asked why such a big pump area myself. I believe Dowtish steered me that way to avoid running the pump dry on start up.
Thanks Chris!

 

[AirAngel]

Im eventually wanting to do this to my 40b, Ill have to get some info sometime. Looks real nice

I used a 40b spaced 12-2-2-8-12 dividers are 1/4"lexan 10"tall with bubble trap raised 2"

 

[Dowtish]

I didnt think those looked like glass baffles. Have you filled it with water yet to leak test it?

 

[DerekFF]

I'm not familiar with lexans properties. If it is like acrylic you may get some serious warpage. At least with acrylic I've found that 3/8-1/2 are required to help stop warping. But lexan may not warp. Hope it doesn't! Gl


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[AirAngel]

I didnt think those looked like glass baffles. Have you filled it with water yet to leak test it?

Uhh.....no. :squigglemouth:
Guess I'll test the tank when I clean it again.

 

[AirAngel]

I'm not familiar with lexans properties. If it is like acrylic you may get some serious warpage. At least with acrylic I've found that 3/8-1/2 are required to help stop warping. But lexan may not warp. Hope it doesn't! Gl


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Not sure why it would warp. Water pressure should be equal on both sides. Unless there is something else to worry about. I have a led light for the fuge so heat wont be an issue. It is extremely ridgid.
I was afraid of things going red and then hurting when using glass.

 

[Singlefin]

If you're going to run an ATO, there's no worry about evaporation or the pump running dry. Depends on what you're putting in the fuge, but you would probably want to maximize the space to have a lot of options open. Deep sand bed, chaeto, lr, or frag rack.

 

[Singlefin]

Shouldn't be equal on both sides. Maybe with the pump off. Should have constant pressure pulling towards the return pump.... I think.

 

[AirAngel]

Im gonna use the fuge to soak my dirty socks. jk
If I decide to redo it at some point Im only out some silicone. I had to get something built. The pump and filter under the tank are to loud for this room.
Next step is to plumb it all thru the wall into the laundry room.

 

[AirAngel]

Shouldn't be equal on both sides. Maybe with the pump off. Should have constant pressure pulling towards the return pump.... I think.

Your correct. Keepin my fingers crossed

 

[thejoshdavis]

I started on mine this weekend too, with Lexan. After filling it up and testing 2 baffles, the warping was more than enough for me to balk. I'm ordering a full sheet of 1/4in acrylic and will cut it up as needed.

I was going to do 12in tall baffles, but I'm rethinking that already too.

Acrylic Solid Sheet, Meets UL 94HB Specifications, Clear, 0.250" Thickness, 12" Width, 36" Length: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

 

[AirAngel]

OK..So all this talk had me a little concerned about this issue. I started considering the outward pressure or force exerted by a column of water.
This is an issue dealing with physics. The equation can be accessed on NASA's website. I found my scientific calculator that I havent used in 20 years and low and behold the batteries are dead.
So I decided to keep it simple and do a physical evaluation.
I filled the overflow and return section with fresh water (in the rain) leaving the bubble trap chambers empty. After a 1/2 hour, I found the distortion/warpage to be no more than 1/4" in my application, a 40b with baffles 1/4" thick X 17 3/4" wide x 10" tall. When all chambers are full this force is equalized. Keep in mind that this distortion on this exact material will be greater if the length, and or height is increased. I feel the only possible failure (the lexan wont break) could be the silicone seams.
Worst case scenario, water floods into a chamber of less water volume. I can live with the possibilty of this situation. :-)

Mike