CUSTOM Sump with Fluorescent Rim, possible commercial production

[Mason Michalski]

Things are chugging along, middle of the wait list with all of the Covid Acrylic PPE Stuff going on, what an awful time to try purchasing Acrylic

 

[Mason Michalski]

Some amazing news. I have finally found vendors for everything local. From Acrylic to CNC work I am good to go. For the Acrylic, I have settled on a fantastic vendor who carries Arkema, a Domestic Cell Cast brand that is used with merit in the acrylic aquarium industry for it's high quality, good bonds, and clarity. VERY close to the physical product being done for everyone to check out. This design is my premium package, I will have an econ line for affordability that I will start on after this sump for my 150 is done. Price points for both are very competitive in the industry and I am proud to have done this all from start to finish. Please stay tuned, you will not be disappointed, from logo to design/quality.

 

[Mason Michalski]

A draft on the logo, don't know if I want to color in more and do holographic or leave it clear

 

[TodaysTrolling]

I’d be interested in this.

 

[Mason Michalski]

I’d be interested in this.

Awesome, all I am waiting on is my PVC board coming in this week Friday. CNC work being done next week and then I will have the first prototype done and ready to check out by the Christmas/New Year

 

[Mason Michalski]

Update: Actually sourced an even better and more affordable CNC router for my production. I SIGNIFICANTLY decreased cost of manufacturing and am well under my original "at cost" calculations

 

[TaylorPilot]

A lot of the top sump makers out there (many who sponsor in this group) use chemcast. It is pretty comparable to the generic arkema stuff you are looking at. Finding a regular supply of the exotic colors in arkema is going to be next to impossible unless you are buying full pallets...translation...$$$$...you better be ready either turn out a lot of these, or sit on massive amounts of acrylic...the hardest part for me has been getting a steady supply of the same brand of acrylic from one or two vendors...Laird is basically one of the biggest vendors out there and especially this year, they are taking a long time to get the stuff I am looking for.

 

[Mason Michalski]

So close to the final product, enjoy some CNC videos

 

[Mason Michalski]

A lot of the top sump makers out there (many who sponsor in this group) use chemcast. It is pretty comparable to the generic arkema stuff you are looking at. Finding a regular supply of the exotic colors in arkema is going to be next to impossible unless you are buying full pallets...translation...$$$$...you better be ready either turn out a lot of these, or sit on massive amounts of acrylic...the hardest part for me has been getting a steady supply of the same brand of acrylic from one or two vendors...Laird is basically one of the biggest vendors out there and especially this year, they are taking a long time to get the stuff I am looking for.

Really? That is very interesting, I contacted a couple like Banshea and they said they use domestic cellcast, as well as some weekend warrior sump builder blogs stating some bad experience with Chemcast. I am not against making a test sump out of that brand, and doing a side by side quality test. Thankfully I am getting a 4'x8' of Arkema for $150/sheet and my supplier keeps 40 in stock at all time for a big customer of theirs, just a bit of a drive to Detroit (2 hours) unless I have my more local branch keep some on hand for me

 

[Mason Michalski]

CNC work is done though! Check out the videos and stay tuned for the finished product HOPEFULLY by this weekend, my sister ran a fever of 100.4 so my workshop is a bit inaccessible at the moment

 

[Mason Michalski]

Check out the Top Plate! Again, this has Lids to go with it, and will have 5 different fluorescent colors to choose from

 

[Mason Michalski]

Volcanic Orange

 

[Mason Michalski]

Looking for some advice on how I am going to build the sump with the intricate baffles being bonded first. I want to get it right the first time so that I can form a process, I have talked to MelevsReef a tiny bit but can't find much otherwise

 

[fishlover1478]

So close to the final product, enjoy some CNC videos

looks cool

also question about cnc is that video sped up or is it really that fast?

 

[Mason Michalski]

looks cool

also question about cnc is that video sped up or is it really that fast?

Nope! It is really that fast hahaha, two passes and its through 1/4" acylic. Also thank you!

 

[9975]

Update: Actually sourced an even better and more affordable CNC router for my production. I SIGNIFICANTLY decreased cost of manufacturing and am well under my original "at cost" calculations

What CNC router did you go with?

 

[Mason Michalski]

What CNC router did you go with?

They are a company called Midwest Sign Co, aside from building my own router these guys were so affordable and actually have a pretty prevalent track record with acrylic from their Instagram, I was very lucky to find them

 

[Mason Michalski]

Honestly from hunting down Domestic Acrylic during an Acrylic Shortage (thanks pandemic), sourcing a reliable and reasonable CNC shop, as well as 3D designing all of this, it was a huge endeavor with a lot of time invested. I really can't wait to get this done, of course finding weld on 4 locally is near impossible, surprising for being in a somewhat large city and manufacturing hub

 

[Oberst Hajj]

Cool project you have going. I've messed around with making things out of acrylic for my tank as well (I have a laser engraver and cutter). One suggestion I would pass on to you is to think about putting a round chamfered edge on at least the top side of your cutouts. Not only will it give them a much nicer appearance, it would keep the edges from cutting into things... like skin sliding over them while working in the sump. Acrylic cuts suck. lol

 

[Mason Michalski]

Yes I noticed that with some of the baffles, the rim is entirely sanded and then polished by the shop that does the CNC work, and since the baffles are bonded on all 4 corners, I have my work cut out. Biggest problem now is finding Weld on 4 locally, OF COURSE lol. Will probably have to just order online. Do you have any experience with torch polishing corners?

Cool project you have going. I've messed around with making things out of acrylic for my tank as well (I have a laser engraver and cutter). One suggestion I would pass on to you is to think about putting a round chamfered edge on at least the top side of your cutouts. Not only will it give them a much nicer appearance, it would keep the edges from cutting into things... like skin sliding over them while working in the sump. Acrylic cuts suck. lol