moonlightdriver
New member
was going to do my own sump with baffles ... just wanted to know what people used for attaching the baffles to the side walls? If anyone has any pictures of what they have done that might help as well...
DIY Sump
- Thread starter moonlightdriver
- Start date
Tonynlo
New member
Assuming glass? Depending on how much you need, you can get away with DAP -Aquarium silicone, for maybe 1 baffle. For more, use GE silicone 1. GE 2 is the bad stuff. Do not use GE2.
Caulking tips. Don't try to add the baffle from the top down. Tip it up on it's side the long way and add the caulk like that. It will save a mess. A little bit does a lot, no need to overdue it.
Soften/sand the corners of the glass pieces you are add, you don't want to break the seal on the bottom of your sump tank.
When measuring the glass pieces you need to have cut. Take 1/4" off the length to account for silicone filling (1/8" on each side).
I do not know much about acrylic, but glass is very easy to work with IME.
I stacked cd cases to hold the baffles in place while I added silicone. For a cleaner look, add some masking tape on each side of the baffle about 1/4" from the glass. Pull it off after adding the silicone and you will get a nice clean line.
Caulking tips. Don't try to add the baffle from the top down. Tip it up on it's side the long way and add the caulk like that. It will save a mess. A little bit does a lot, no need to overdue it.
Soften/sand the corners of the glass pieces you are add, you don't want to break the seal on the bottom of your sump tank.
When measuring the glass pieces you need to have cut. Take 1/4" off the length to account for silicone filling (1/8" on each side).
I do not know much about acrylic, but glass is very easy to work with IME.
I stacked cd cases to hold the baffles in place while I added silicone. For a cleaner look, add some masking tape on each side of the baffle about 1/4" from the glass. Pull it off after adding the silicone and you will get a nice clean line.
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naprestsleep
blank
I used GE1 from lowes and the cheap glass from there too(doubled it up for strength). I marked the outside of my tank with a speed square and marker for the location of the baffles. Then I placed the baffle in using a speed square to make sure they were straight. As I siliconed I removed the speed square and they stayed in place with just the wet silicone.
I lucked out, as I only had to use one baffle, basically to keep the level in my skimmer area constant. If your setup allows try using 1 baffle, will make your life easier. If you need more you can add them, but your sump will need to be dry for a day or two.
I lucked out, as I only had to use one baffle, basically to keep the level in my skimmer area constant. If your setup allows try using 1 baffle, will make your life easier. If you need more you can add them, but your sump will need to be dry for a day or two.
moonlightdriver
New member
this is going to be for my 55 gal setup...
so I was going to find a used tank that will fit under the stand and go from there...
I thought I would use acrylic because I have some laying around the house...
so GE silicone 1 should work then? ( I didn't know if there was any toxics in the silicone that would be harmful to the fish)
was going to build unless someone had one for sale that would work for me
so I was going to find a used tank that will fit under the stand and go from there...
I thought I would use acrylic because I have some laying around the house...
so GE silicone 1 should work then? ( I didn't know if there was any toxics in the silicone that would be harmful to the fish)
was going to build unless someone had one for sale that would work for me
Tonynlo
New member
Silicone does not bond to acrylic. There is some type of weather stripping that people have used to basically wedge the acrylic in place on a glass tank. There were a few threads on RC about it. I personally do not like this method because of the added pressure to the tank walls along with water weight will be putting your sump under more pressure than it was designed for. Either that, or you are going to need to use a lot of silicone on each side of the acrylic piece. Water pressure can still knock your baffle loose each method though. I would highly suggest using glass on glass and acrylic on acrylic
naprestsleep
blank
I believe the silicone will not attach to the acrylic, but will to glass. So using it on both side of the acrylic baffle will keep it on place, but may not be completely secure.
Using a 20 or 29 you may be able to use the stock glass from Lowes, which is under $5 a piece, they will even cut it down for free(I think its 10x12, I have a 29g sump and I needed 10x11.5, and they were able to cut that .5 off).
Using a 20 or 29 you may be able to use the stock glass from Lowes, which is under $5 a piece, they will even cut it down for free(I think its 10x12, I have a 29g sump and I needed 10x11.5, and they were able to cut that .5 off).
block head
New member
your 55 is 12 W" chances are your stand won't be able to fit a 12" tank underneath it.
naprestsleep
blank
Forgot the 55 was that narrow in width.
bigkenny76
New member
Maybe a 20 long would work,
Tonynlo
New member
Willistein
Active member
If you do use acrylic, do not make the pieces very snug against the walls of the tank. I did this once, and since acrylic absorbs water, it expanded and cracked my sump.
Tonynlo
New member
here you go.. The stuff was called EPDM. You can get it at Lowes or HD.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_3/cav3i1/Baffles/bafflesart.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_3/cav3i1/Baffles/bafflesart.htm
moonlightdriver
New member
so a typical tank isn't going to fit under the stand...
anyone have any ideas for a container to use as the sump?
anyone have any ideas for a container to use as the sump?
block head
New member
rubbbermaid tote or similiar plastic container will be most likely the most economical choice , 55's aren't often used as reef's. you'll need to get creative to aquascape a 12" wide tank. lot's of cheap 75 90 120's to be had. might still be able to pick up 40 breeders for $40 if you want to go smaller.
moonlightdriver
New member
So I measured the stand last night and I think I might be in some trouble... it's only 10 1/4 wide on the inside... so I might have to rethink what I want to do
I was going to do a fish only tank... and I came across a 55 gal new for cheap... so that is why I picked it up...
I was going to do a fish only tank... and I came across a 55 gal new for cheap... so that is why I picked it up...
Another thought would be to build a bigger stand. I'm sure, in the future, you're going to want to go reef and if you decided to do so, with a bigger stand, you could fit a nice big sump!! Most everyone I know who gets into reefing as a FOWLR or FO eventually go to reef and always wants to go with a sump after fully understanding the benefits of one. A quote from a member here I believe that has motivated me to build a new stand for my sump reads as follows "dilution is the solution to pollution."
Now, I only have a 20H but I am currently upgrading to a 40B DT and 29G sump that I had to build a new stand for. Well worth it IMO for many reasons mainly the larger water volume and less clutter in the tank. And, easy use of ATO, water changes, etc. All of the benefits of a sump in a reef tank well outweigh the drawbacks of setting one up.
Like the others have said, use glass in a glass aquarium for baffles. Many have been very successful using acrylic or even plexiglass but the absolute best route to go is to use glass. Additionally, use GE1 as stated above, not GE2. GE2 has fungicide in it and will cause you major issues.
Now, I only have a 20H but I am currently upgrading to a 40B DT and 29G sump that I had to build a new stand for. Well worth it IMO for many reasons mainly the larger water volume and less clutter in the tank. And, easy use of ATO, water changes, etc. All of the benefits of a sump in a reef tank well outweigh the drawbacks of setting one up.
Like the others have said, use glass in a glass aquarium for baffles. Many have been very successful using acrylic or even plexiglass but the absolute best route to go is to use glass. Additionally, use GE1 as stated above, not GE2. GE2 has fungicide in it and will cause you major issues.
Tonynlo
New member
Buy 2 10G tanks and get yourself a diamond bit hole saw and a bulkhead. The setup below works from left to right. Build a small platform to raise the left tank. Drill the hole on the right side of the tank and channel it down to the lower tank. Keep your skimmer in the first tank and your return is in the right tank. You can use some eggcrate to create a wall and build a small fuge too. Use your imagination on that.
