Pls Help with baffles!

[Kluver]

I can't seem to cut glass for the life of me. I have broken a bunch of glass frames tonight. Basically I am building a sump/fuge and need about 4 baffles for my 20L glass.
I then came by this interesting article tonight Linky
It uses a meterial called EPDM to wrap around acrylic baffles

Here's my questions:
1. Is EPDM reef safe? The articles says so. Anyone has any experience w/ them?

2. I like to use acrylic for my baffles. Is there any material that is reef safe that can stick acrylic to glass? (I'm assuming not)

3. Does anyone know who might sells precut baffles (glass)?

 

[dattack]

1. EPDM is used for pondliner. It should be safe.
2. Might want to try silicone to stick acrylic to glass. You can use the GE I silicone windows and door at Home Depot. Make sure not to get the GEII because it contains antimildew chemicals.
3. Go to a glass shop. They will cut it straight for you.

If you have an acrylic sump, you should use acrylic baffles and use weldon solvent.
If you have a glass sump, you can either get glass or acrylic baffles and try to use silicone.

 

[Mykayel]

just call you local glass shop and have them cut them for cheap.

 

[xtrstangx]

Re: Pls Help with baffles!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7662737#post7662737 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kluver
1. Is EPDM reef safe? The articles says so. Anyone has any experience w/ them?

2. I like to use acrylic for my baffles. Is there any material that is reef safe that can stick acrylic to glass? (I'm assuming not)

3. Does anyone know who might sells precut baffles (glass)?

First off, I've had someone local try that baffle system and they couldn't get it to stick. I'd just go with the traditional glass/silicone.

1. Yes EDPM is reef safe... Read above though.
2. There is a Weld-on that is made for connecting acrylic to glass, IIRC. I have no clue what number it is, but it probably impractical to use, IMO.
3. Try any local glass shops. Even auto glass shops can cut simple panes of glass.

 

[Big Boy69]

What does EPDM stand for?

 

[Kluver]

Hey thanks guys. I'm going to try calling my local glass shops now.
EPDM stands for: Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer.

Does anyone know where I can buy some EPDM at? Does Home Depot sells it?

 

[Kluver]

Just a quick update: got all my glass baffles cut for 28.00 at local glass shop. I even found the EPDM rubber at home depot. Going to try the rubber method first since I like the idea of being able to move the baffles later. Thanks alot all for your help!

 

[swabby1214]

^

 

[kypatriot]

How do you know how tall to cut the baffles?

 

[Kluver]

From my understanding, its varies from tank to tank. I don't believe there are hard set rules to this. For example, my tank is 12" high. So i have my baffles at 8.5". HTH.

 

[dngspot]

I have built 3 different glass aquarium refigiums. Each had 5 baffles. To cut the glass I use a straight edge, long piece scrap aluminum. I clamp, softly, the straight edge to the glass and table. I then run the cutter along this edge. A light pressure against the straight edge and firm pressure against the glass. I then remove the clamps and with a sharp push the glass comes apart at the score. My table is a plastic foldable type from Sam’s Club. The straight edge can be found at a metal scrap yard. Good luck

 

[MJAnderson]

I too tried my hand at cutting glass. The thing I was doing wrong was not pressing hard enough with the cutter. Once I got it right, I was surprised at just how hard you could push down on it. After that, perfect cut every time...