Adjustable baffles?

[distracto]

Went looking for information on the right way to mount baffles in a sump using acrylic cement, and came across this article instead...

I really like the thought of being able to move them around if I add more equipment in the future. But I'm concerned about how much pressure it could handle, mostly between the refugium and return chamber, where there is likely to be a water level difference of several inches.

Has anybody tried this out, or have a feel for how reliable it would be?

- Frank

 

[daddypugg]

Pretty Wild idea -

Another question to ask - would be: will the sealeant (weather stripping) hold up to salt water?

 

[spivack]

moveable baffles

moveable baffles

I have the pieces and parts and am gonna try this. Should be ready to water test in about a week

 

[xtrstangx]

Someone local to me tried to do this and it didn't work.

 

[distracto]

daddypugg - I'm guessing if you get the "marine/outdoor" strip as mentioned in the article, it is made to stand up to at least some salt water... though whether it could be submerged 24/7 is another question, I guess.

xtrstangx - Any idea why it didn't work? Did the baffles fall out of place, or did the strips come off/disintegrate? I'm betting you'd have to get the width just as tight as possible to even have a chance.

 

[distracto]

Re: moveable baffles

Re: moveable baffles

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7559124#post7559124 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spivack
I have the pieces and parts and am gonna try this. Should be ready to water test in about a week

I'm interested to know how it works out! I think I may try it out myself also... If it doesn't work, I'm only out a few pieces of acrylic, but if it does, it would be really terrific. Plus I always have to learn things the hard way.

 

[ksp75]

It works!

It works!

It works . I tried it with 1/8" glass first and had no luck. The edge was to skinny to get good adhesion. Last night I got some 1/4" acrylic from TAP Plastics and stuck the EPDM on it, installed it and it works great. Good tight seal and I didn't even drain the sump to install them. You need to shut off the pump when installing them because the water pressure will work against you. I cut mine to fit very tight, kind of scary installing having to push so hard. I say go for it. Works good and you can always move things around. Total cost was $7 for the EPDM at Home Depot and $12 for 3 pieces of acrylic 8"x11 11/16" from TAP. Not too shabby!

 

[MJAnderson]

Thanks. I've been wondering about this. I'm guessing on a larger sump the water weight might be too much but I have a 20g sump as well.

I'm wondering if the weatherstripping compresses over time and you could lose the seal. Off to HD for some EPDM...

 

[Avast Marine]

I tried it for a 28g sump and it was more of a pain than it was worth. I never could get it just right and I was to tempted to fiddle with it. Now I just weldon a "frame" and set the baffles how I want with acrylic and silicone that to a glass tank. If I want to change it the silicone can be cut off and the entire sump baffle system removed in one piece. This way cost a little more if you want to change things, but is more reliable and easier to work with IMHO.

 

[ksp75]

Mine have been in for two solid days now and have not budged. Only reason I could ever see to move them is for cleaning or if I get a new skimmer. In a 20ga there is not a whole lot of room to change the config. Just to fit my skimmer the baffles are smack dab in the middle of the tank and unless I want to top off twice a day, half of the sump needs to stay dedicated to the return section.

I think over time they should be fine. EPDM does not have a "memory" so it always bouces back to its original shape. Its the same stuff that is around the door of your car. Open-close-open-close-open-close.......... It still looks and feels the same right. No worries man, just git er done.

 

[xtrstangx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7560247#post7560247 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by distracto
xtrstangx - Any idea why it didn't work? Did the baffles fall out of place, or did the strips come off/disintegrate? I'm betting you'd have to get the width just as tight as possible to even have a chance.

He couldn't get to hold in the first place, I think.

 

[MJAnderson]

KSP,

I have a 20g as well. Did you do the bubble traps? I'd like the return to carry 3 days worth of water so I can go away for the weekend which means I too am quickly running out of room.

My other thought was building a 2 tier sump...skimmer and return in the 20 and a fuge in a 10g tank above it with an overlow back into the return. Afraid of the return clogging up and causing a flood though.

 

[breedingroom]

I got vinyl foam tape...bit at home depot there is no EPDM foam...there is epdm but it is not compressable enough...anyone got pics to what they got.