Sump glass thickness relative to display

[Idech]

Hello, I am thinking about upgrading to a 110 gal, 48 x 24 x 22 high custom made tank with a 36 inch, 30 gallons sump. The tank would be installed by professionals, as I cannot do it myself. They are quoting me an expensive sump (with nothing fancy, but 10 or 12 mm glass I think - waiting for answer).

This is an expensive project and I am wondering if I could just buy a regular Seapora 30 gallons and have them add and silicone sections. The Seapora tank would have around 5mm I suppose. This would save me 300$-400$ so not negligible.

Would my system be less robust if the glass thickness in the sump is significantly less than the one from the display tank ? Is 5 mm glass able to sustain flow meant for 12 mm glass long long term without failing ?

I’m all for saving money, but not at the cost of safety. I don’t want to cause leaking that could cost thousands to fix to save 300$…

 

[PotatoPig]

The rimmed tanks enable much thinner glass than any sort of rimless system, which is probably part of why they’re a lot cheaper than the custom builds, and there’s a lot of redundancy in the design.

The flow through the sump is also going to be relatively low - you’re not doing 50-100 turnover in it with massive power heads. It’ll hold water just fine unless you’re doing something very odd with your sump.

FWIW - a lot of folks use these types of tanks with DIY installed glass baffles from a local glass shop for economical and customized sumps.

 

[Idech]

The rimmed tanks enable much thinner glass than any sort of rimless system, which is probably part of why they’re a lot cheaper than the custom builds, and there’s a lot of redundancy in the design.

The flow through the sump is also going to be relatively low - you’re not doing 50-100 turnover in it with massive power heads. It’ll hold water just fine unless you’re doing something very odd with your sump.

FWIW - a lot of folks use these types of tanks with DIY installed glass baffles from a local glass shop for economical and customized sumps.

Thanks for the infos. FYI, the display tank will be Euro braced, not rimless.

 

[exnisstech]

Thanks for the infos. FYI, the display tank will be Euro braced, not rimless.

I think pig was talking about using a rimmed tank for the sump.
If your hiring someone they may not be too receptive to using a cheap tank to make a sump. There may be more labor involved on their end since it not what they normally use. Time = money. Plus they would have to stand behind the product and they may not want to accept that responsibility if it's not a product they are supplying. But it won't cost anything to ask them.

 

[Idech]

I think pig was talking about using a rimmed tank for the sump.
If your hiring someone they may not be too receptive to using a cheap tank to make a sump. There may be more labor involved on their end since it not what they normally use. Time = money. Plus they would have to stand behind the product and they may not want to accept that responsibility if it's not a product they are supplying. But it won't cost anything to ask them.

Yes, I got that. He also mention rimless, thus my comment.

I did ask them about getting a regular tank for the sump and they said I could but I didn’t ask about warranty. That’s a very good and important point. Thanks !

They also said they quoted me a sump built the same as a display, with polish glass. And that they could make it regular, non-polished glass, to save money. Their sump is 100 mm thick. That would save me 300$. They are looking to see if they can change the dimensions a bit to add extra savings.

Is non-polish glass hard to see through ? I’ve never seen any.

I believe going with their sump is important for the warranty, so I’ll forget about the Seapora tank for a sump.

 

[Troylee]

Get a 20long or 40 breeder etc and order a baffle kit off eBay.. all you gotta do is silicone the baffles in and it’s less than a hundred bucks.

 

[Troylee]

Yes, I got that. He also mention rimless, thus my comment.

I did ask them about getting a regular tank for the sump and they said I could but I didn’t ask about warranty. That’s a very good and important point. Thanks !

They also said they quoted me a sump built the same as a display, with polish glass. And that they could make it regular, non-polished glass, to save money. Their sump is 100 mm thick. That would save me 300$. They are looking to see if they can change the dimensions a bit to add extra savings.

Is non-polish glass hard to see through ? I’ve never seen any.

Glass will be clear.. I’m sure they’re talking about the edges of them.. rough and sanded hopefully or just raw cut glass that’s sharp as a razor

 

[Idech]

Glass will be clear.. I’m sure they’re talking about the edges of them.. rough and sanded hopefully or just raw cut glass that’s sharp as a razor

Not sure. I thought they meant the glass itself would be non-transparent. I hope it’s not edges as sharp as a razor, lol !

I’ll make sure to ask, thanks.