building acrylic sump

[hoaglanddiver]

mojo... thx for heads up on width.. was thinking 3/8, but now maybe 1/4. My sump will be in basement w/ tank 1 floor above. That's why I'm hoping to go large. (they say more water = better - right?) Course I certainly dont want overkill... so if you all think 70 + gal too much for 170 gal tank... lemme know and I'll slim it down a bit. I will add though, that 170gal tank I'm looking at is "tall" and am thinking bigger sump would have more gas exchange for entire system as tank only surface area only 48 x 24 (height is 31 or 35.. cant remember at moment).
I've heard that 80/20 in columbia city sells acrylic.. anyone have any luck going there?

 

[mojo~]

if you bond your baffles in in a fashion that there isnt a huge area where there is no support it is not going to bow. With that size of tank and if it doesnt have to be custom you might consider a glass tank. But if not then you could always do eurobracing around it too. I can fill mine to the rim and it doesnt bow. THe baffles keep it together as well

 

[mojo~]

Mine is 36 long but I have 4 baffles. If I only put one in I would brace it. But you should have a 3 for your bubble trap before your return pump. Just my two cents. But everyone has different ideas.

 

[mojo~]

why dont you post some pics so we can see what you are working with. So we can all understand the differences.

 

[hoaglanddiver]

I was planning on refugium to the right side, skimmer to the left. that would leave bubble trap about 1/3 way in from left and refugium separation about 1/3 in from right. Then pump out of middle. That would give me cross support equidistant throughout and then perhaps include eurobracing. Anyone done something similar and think that would keep it from bowing (1/4 inch acrylic)?

 

[mojo~]

hoagland did you look at my pics. I think you are talking about what I made.

 

[frank1of7]

A

 

[hoaglanddiver]

Mojo, Your pic of your sump looks just like what I had in mind. Since I'm not confined by a tank stand (sump to be in basement), I'll prolly go a little larger, but design would be essentially the same.
Lee

 

[mojo~]

figure out the foot print you want and the height you would like to have. plus what skimmer are you going to run. That way you can figure out optimum water depth in the skimmer section.

 

[hoaglanddiver]

Ah, well, slightly off topic for forum, but not exactly.... What skimmer do you recommend? I see that you seem to know alot and perhaps "test" some? (guessing this due to your posts on that royal exclusive vertex). I still a total newbie, but a skimmer would be something I could purchase prior to remodel being finished. Would appreciate your recommendation(s). Tentatively, Tank will be 170 gal. 48x24x35.

 

[frank1of7]

regfugium

regfugium

Hoagland here is a diagram of my sump. I think this is what you are looking for isn't it?:bum:

 

[mojo~]

let me know your budget and I am sure I can give you a few really nice units to choose from that will all work really well.

 

[hoaglanddiver]

Frank, yeah, essentially that's what I'm looking at... (looks very similar to Mojo's from page 1 of this thread). Both look great. Again, I dont have too much of a constraint on size. Since I am planning for 170g ("tall") my surface area is only about 1150 sq inches... I guess on a "non-tall", it'd be more like 1700 sq inches. That all being said, I'd like to have a sump which is deep enough for whichever skimmer I go w/ but also one which has a decent surface area to help makeup for what the tank, itself, is lacking. Does this make any sense? Am I being too concerned w/ surface area? would appreciate anyone's comments on this. thx

 

[JCR's Reef]

I wouldnt be concerned with the surface area. With good flow in your tank you'll allow enough O2 exchange, etc... Just make a sump big enough for what your wanting it to hold. If you have room for whatever size sump you need, I would get creative. maybe make 5-6 different sections in it, or more.

 

[hoaglanddiver]

Josh... that would be my plan exactly ("Maybe make 5-6 different secitons in it, or more"). However, I think I'll be lucky to just be able to construct a bubble trap and refugium. I'm guessing the more acrylic bonds that are needed, the harder it will be to do (ie: I believe that.... at one point during construction, all pieces that are to adhere to same wall will need to be bonded all at same time. -- not sure I'd be able to do that). Definitely open to suggestions on how to do it though. Pls let me know of any thoughts you may have. regards,
lee

 

[JCR's Reef]

Acrylic is alot easier to work with b/c you can use the capillary method, Glass and silicone is a little harder if your wanting a clean look and its harder to bond both sides. Being in I.T. I think your reading a little too much into it... LOL. Everything wont need to be glued at the same time. I glue one at a time so I dont have to fiddle around or bump other pieces while their trying to bond. Just find a way to construct, glue your pieces together while leaving room for you to be able to get to the other parts of the sump. Its like a puzzle if you have alot of stuff going into it.
I know it seems overwhelming.. but once you get going you'll find out how easy it is..

 

[mojo~]

easy as pie.

 

[hoaglanddiver]

you guys are making it sound easy... when researching on line it seemed that all who had never done before had huge issues w/ air bubbles, etc... maybe I'm making mtn out of molehill

 

[mojo~]

THe biggest thing is really take your time. make sure the edges are smooth before glueing it together. This will make for a better seam.

 

[Tooantuh]

I just called Meyer Plastics today and talked to them about the acrylic and the prices they have on them, here as followed :
1/4"x4'x8' Cast Acrylic $157.15
1/2"x4'x8' Cast Acrylic $308.60 I can also look into the prices of the other thicknesses that ya'll might want, just let me know. I was also told that if I had the exact measurements of what I needed cut, that they would cut what ever I needed for a one time charge of $5.00 more. I also asked how much they would charge to drill / laser the sump holes on the bottom and was told that it was like $1.oo upto $5.00 depending on the size of the whole. The lady that I talked to there said that Cast Acrylic is the best for the Aquariums then the SFS or other types. She also mentioned that they there at Meyer Plastics many years ago built Aquariums. I also asked about trying to get us a Club discount and she told me that we can try to work out something with each other. I will try to see what I can do to get the Acrylic discounted for us. I think that if we all chipped in on the stuff that we can get a good deal!Let me know if ya'll are interested and what size of Acrylic and i will she what I can do for us