help please...re-doing sump

[supermarvin76]

Well, a while ago I designed a sump in a hurry because I was excited to do it. Now I am re-doing it.

The tank that I had / am using is a 20gal. 24" long. I used plexi-glass for the chambers, and did not think through the chambers.

I have a CPR bak-pak that I would like to include in the design some how.

I would like to make the chambers out of glass this time. My question is how do you measure and get the glass cut to avoid 1/16 too big or too small of a piece, which is one of the problems I had with the first one I did.

Next question is what kind of glass and sealant should I use?

I would like a refugium somewhere in here.

Any other tips or suggestions would be great.

Thanks!!!

 

[30mini]

Well, first off, you want to measure the inside dimensions of the tank, and then go 1/8" shorter cut for each one. This will give you 1/16" of clearance for silicone. It doesnt matter what kind of glass you use, just make sure that you use silicone that doesn't have any kind of mold inhibitors at all!

 

[dngspot]

I have built a refigium from the same tank as you did. When cutting the glass you must know the inner size of the aquarium, just as mentioned above. I would recommend that you find a straight edge. I measure the tank and then measure the glass to be cut. I mark the glass with a fine felt marker. Two little marks will do. I then lay the straight edge on the glass and clamp it with small spring clamps with rubber covers on the tips of the clamps. Then I put the cutter on the mark and adjust the straight edge so the wheel on the cutter sits on the mark. Do this at both ends of the glass, and then recheck. You are ready to score the glass fallowing the straight edge. This works every time.
I usually cut my glass to 1/16, of an inch, but you really need to know the inner measurement of each baffle location.
I would use 1/4 inch glass. I had a bad experience with 1/8 inch.
Go to Lowes and get Aquarium silicone. It is located with their glues.
Here is a rough pic of the refigium that will reside under my 55 gallon.

 

[supermarvin76]

Thanks for the replies.
Any ideas as to how to incorporate my CPR bak-pak into this?
The tank that I am using is the "regular" 20gal, not the 20 long. I was not very clear with that.

What size pump should I use? I was thinking of a MAG __?? unless someone has a different idea.

Thanks again.