baffles

[woogy]

I want to build a sump and want to take it step by step. I have a 29gallon aquarium and want to do a 10gallon sump. What type of material do I need to make the baffles and what tools? Where do I get such stuff?

 

[Percula9]

Go to your local glass shop and have them cut 2 pieces of glass 1/4 inch thick. They should be the width of the tank and half its height. Glue the baffles in with aquarium sealant. You decide how big you want the chambers to be based on need. You will need an overflow box to bring water from the tank to the sump. A u-tube overflow can be purchased at your local fish store. The last chamber will hold the return pump.

 

[woogy]

I always see sumps with three baffles...is two sufficient???

can i use plexiglass instead to do it myself? What type of tool do you need to cut plexiglass?

 

[Dubbin1]

You will not get glass to adhere to plexiglass. Just go to Lowes with the sizes you need and they sell and will cut the glass for you.

 

[woogy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11644949#post11644949 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dubbin1
You will not get glass to adhere to plexiglass. Just go to Lowes with the sizes you need and they sell and will cut the glass for you.

ok...do they polish the edges so I don't get cut??

 

[Dubbin1]

No, just be careful and you wont get cut.

 

[woogy]

since the tank is about 20"LX12 1/2"H X 10 1/2"W, should I get them cut to 10" in width and 6" in height?

And should I still only get two baffles?

 

[Dubbin1]

The hight will be up to how deep you want the water in the sump. I would have the width cut to within 1/8" of the tank. Three will work much better then two.

 

[woogy]

the more in height means less or more water in the sump?

 

[Dubbin1]

More but it also reduces how much water it can hold if something goes wrong.

 

[Percula9]

I think three chambers in a sump that small will be sufficient. I built a 10 gal sump refugium with three chambers. The first has a filter sock, the second contains a refugium, and the third is the return. You have to decide which best fits your needs. The baffles edges can be sanded smooth with fine grit sand paper.