Acrylic

[ncox38]

I am trying to track down some reasonable priced acrylic for the baffles in my sump. Anyone know where to go? HD only sells big sheets (3x5ish) @ $75.

 

[chadfarmer]

what size do you need ?

 

[ncox38]

Between 3/16 and 1/4" thick. 4 pieces @ 12 x14, 1 piece @ 12x 17. They are going into a 55 gal.

 

[Im Lon 2]

I used Plexi-glass from Homedepot worked great for me.. 1/4"

Also Stupid can get some Black PVC sheets that would work nice as well, it's pretty cheap, and it is 1/4" thick too. Only thing is it's black but how cares it is in your sump..

 

[Schplitter]

Why not use glass in a glass tank? It's stiffer and will hold better...

just my 2 cents.

 

[Im Lon 2]

The only thing bad about glass is if you don't have round edges on the top. you could really cut yourself on the edges if you don't have rounded edges.. I think the acrylic is cheaper, but I could be wrong.

 

[bigmike7544]

u can buy a 48" x 24" from lowe's for $40 thats what i use a few weeks ago for my baffles in a 55

 

[DrBDC]

If you use glass, take a small rubber hose and split it down the side and install it over the edges of the glass. Almost like those door edge guards for cars.

 

[ncox38]

The glass they sell at HD is nice and cheap but it comes in 12" widths. The inside of a 55 is probably 11.5", I would have to cut off 1/2 inch. It is not easy to cut off small strips of glass, it never breaks in one clean strip.

Thanks mike, I'll check it out.

 

[pewter_jean]

Let me tell you, take stupid up on the black pvc.
Last summer I build my sump, and I thought you could only use glass with glass. and acrylic on acrylic.
I went the the glass shops because the glass at HD and lowes was to thin, 1/8 window pain glass, not sturdy at all. I had to get the glass cut twice, very exspensive to say the least. But that isn't the problem. With all that glass in the sump, it makes it very, very heavy. If you can get away from the extra exspense and the weight, then do.

 

[Grace's Dad]

So the pvc will hold to the glass?

I am a few weekends away (hopefully) of trying to get water in this tank and setting up my sump will be my first step.

 

[ncox38]

36 bucks and they cut it for you at lowes.

 

[StupidsReef]

I can get from a place in O fallon MO. It's fairly cheap, I can't remember the size that I got Lonnie I know it was $10.00 for the sheet/piece and you can cut it with a skill saw or jig saw.

And no the PVC will not hold to the glass, But the silicone will

 

[kipher]

I had the glass baffles for my glass tank cut at a "Glass Shop" and it was cheaper than all above mentioned. I got 3 baffles at 1/4" thick at about 12"x12 for like $18. And they beveled the glass edges for free. I placed the order and picked it up the same day. Just a thought. (If you attempt this though you have to give them very accurate measurements!!)

 

[latazyo]

here is my take on acrylic baffles in a glass sump

so many people talk crap about how silicone doesnt bond to acrylic and how your baffles are going to blow out,blah blah blah

here is the point: the silicone that you lay down will 100% bond to the glass and will bond "ok" to the acrylic, but that is ok because you're basically making a silicone "valley" for the acrylic to fit into

since the silicone will hold to the glass pretty much forever, the baffles aren't going anywhere

the water moving through the baffles does not put that much pressure on it, so that is not a big deal

aknowledged error: I did use some thin acrylic in my sump and it bows a lot, so definitely at least get the .222" stuff

I used the really thin/cheap stuff and it bows (but is still holding up just fine)

 

[Grace's Dad]

Hey stupid,
pm sent on the sheet of pvc, if you can still get it.