acrylic baffles expand

[doox00]

Someone mentioned in another thread baffles made of acrylic will expand in the water and heat of the water. I just put baffles into my sump the other night, I made them snug on the sides of the sump walls (30g all glass tank). Confirmation on this would be appreciated.

 

[Acrylics]

They can expand *a little* (maybe 1/32" or so) due to heat and water absorption. It is recommended that you leave a little slop to allow for expansion.

HTH,
James

 

[doox00]

would you recommend I take all the baffles out and redo them? 2 or 3 out of the 6 were just snug, put into a 36x12x16 30g all glass tank.

 

[Acrylics]

Tough call IMO, if the tank sump is full already and there aren't any problems thus far - leave 'em. If it's easily done now, then pull 'em and shave down a little just for piece of mind. It's actually pretty rare that there are problems due to this but it can happen.

HTH,
James

 

[doox00]

well nothing is in the tank right now.. so I could pull em all out. Although I was pushing and pulling on them to test it yesterday and they are in there pretty good. It was a huge pain to silicone the center baffles and inner walls of the out baffle.. to get the big bead of silicone in the right spot. Someone mentioned you can glue them in place first.. what kind of glue can you use safely for this?

 

[outy]

im sure super glue would be fine but you really dont need it.

i built a 50g sump with 2 baffles that were snug but not so tight as too spread the tank apart and after a year there just fine dont worry about it unless there way too tight.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Place tape on the outside of the sump to mark your lines

Cut blocks of wood as spacers.

Place beads of silicone up the tape lines, slide the baffle against he silicone. This will seal the back side.

Let it dry.

Run a bead up the front side.

Let it dry.

Run a bead of silicone up the next tape line (for the back of the second baffle).

Place the baffle against the silicone and let it dry. (use your block as spacers).

Run a bead of silicone up the fron side of the baffle.

Let it dry.

So and and so on.. until all of your baffles are neatly in place and help be a bead of silicone on the front and back side.

You can also use a guide or straigtedge to make the silicone neater. Some folks use tape to make straight lines. They put the silicone down then peal the tape up.


Bean