Anyone in the CR/Ia City Corridor good with acrylic?

[jmadison]

Looking into possibly building a sump for my 180, but have not tried my hand at working in acrylic. I was wondering if there was anyone around eastern IA, specifically IC area, that could serve as a mentor/co-builder in this project.

Thank you in advance and happy reefing!

 

[CyberJester]

I have built a sump, not very difficult Making it look really pretty and having beautiful seams is about the most difficult thing. I am willing to help you give you guidence if you need.

I live in Cedar Rapids.

If you want someone who is really good at it and does professional quality acrylic work. Try B-Rad over at www.iowareefs.org. He is truly a master, and has all the right tools to do jobs like this which is a big part of it.

Jeremy

 

[jmadison]

Thank you sir-
Guess I'll finally have to bite the bullet and join GIRS hahaha, I lurk there, but dont do any posting.

 

[llebcire]

Umm...180?

Apparantly things have changed since we swapped frags a few months ago (remember - I got cought up in it and traded for something I already had )? I'll assume you're not living in the same place...or won't be for long...

Enjoy the 180 and take some pics Josh!

-Eric

 

[jmadison]

^Nope, got a place with a full cement basement I'll def. be posting up when stuff starts moving.

 

[buy_baff]

I to would highly recommend B-Rad. And thanks for the zoas Josh they are doing great! I will be calling you soon about that RBT and possably some more zoas.
Thanks!

 

[jmadison]

Was just gonna pm you and ask how they were doing! Glad to hear!
I have contacted him on GIRS, but as of now still no response. Is he on here at all?

 

[pschmitz]

Josh -

I built my sump out of 1/4" acrylic I got at Plexicraft over by Hills bank in Iowa City. The guy there was skeptical of my novice skills, but confident after a quick tutorial that I could do it my first time around. (or perhaps banking on my failure for future sales ) I got a fair amount of bubbles in my seams, and almost poisoned myself with the weld-on sticking head and shoulders into a half-baked sump - two things I plan on avoiding the 2nd time around. I recommend letting him do it, but that being said, there are those of us who are willing to lend a hand! I would also seek out a higher weld-on number, as the #4 Plexicraft provided was a bit runny - and it is my understanding that it gets thicker with the higher numbered grades.

Excited to see your setup take some roots!

Also - the rics are doing wonderfully, and so are the zoas! Got any new pretty things you wanna unload?

 

[jmadison]

Thanks for the info! Happy to hear your stuff is doing well. How much did your actual materials cost? I am assuming this was a small/med sized sump. I am still trying to see what costs are gonna be compared to glass.

 

[pschmitz]

My sump is 30x18x16 with about 26gallons of used space. here is a drawing from the top with the refugium taking up most of the front side of the apparatus.

I dont want to jack the thread, but.. It was definitely cheaper than buying a pre-fabricated one, and I got all the dimensions I wanted! The only down-side to acrylic I can see is cleaning it - I have a boat load of light in my sump and am building coralline as fast as my display. :/