Raise existing sump baffle

[Cymonous]

I have a running sump with two glass baffles. First section has my skimmer. I got a free bigger skimmer off someone, but the height of my first baffle is too short. It currently is at 8 inches. The skimmer needs 9-13 inches. Does anyone have any ideas on how to add on top or raise the height of this baffle?

 

[Original DMx]

Easy, buy a new sump.

Any local glass store would be able to cut you a piece (of your desired thickness) to your measurements. I would get one that is your needed width and between 9-13" tall and silicone (aquarium sealant) it right next to the existing baffle.

 

[Cymonous]

Ok, but the sump is running. I dont think I can use silicone in a running system.

 

[oblio]

I've changed stuff in a running sump. Get a piece of glass/acrylic, Lower water level in sump dry off the top of existing baffle and sides where you can put some silicone in and just silicone in the extension. Wait like 20 or so mins, you can wiggle the extension till you know it's sort of stiff. then fill back up. The trick is to raise the level in the sump so there is basically equal water pressure on both sides of the extension. If the water is equal on both sides there is no reason the baffle should move. After a bit it will be dry.

 

[Cymonous]

The second baffle is one inch lower than the first one. So, adding the extension would definitely make it uneven.

I had the idea of just getting another baffle made to the right height and lean it against the existing baffle on the inside and while using the existing silicone from the original baffle to hold it in place.

 

[Jone]

http://www.petmountain.com/product/...2-516017/perfecto-glass-canopy-backstrip.html
might leak at the sides in skimmer section but just a thought..

 

[ca1ore]

You certainly can place a new baffle against the old one and just let water pressure hold it in place. You might have to find a way to hold the button in place to prevent it from pivoting. The key is to have the new baffle fit tightly enough so that leakage around the edges is less than total flow through the section - otherwise the water won't rise above the new baffle.

BTW, it is a really bad idea to submerge uncured silicone. You need to wait at least two days; with a week preferred.

 

[rickztahone]

You certainly can place a new baffle against the old one and just let water pressure hold it in place. You might have to find a way to hold the button in place to prevent it from pivoting. The key is to have the new baffle fit tightly enough so that leakage around the edges is less than total flow through the section - otherwise the water won't rise above the new baffle.

BTW, it is a really bad idea to submerge uncured silicone. You need to wait at least two days; with a week preferred.

agreed. I wouldn't use silicone on a running system without curing time.

 

[Cymonous]

You certainly can place a new baffle against the old one and just let water pressure hold it in place. You might have to find a way to hold the button in place to prevent it from pivoting. The key is to have the new baffle fit tightly enough so that leakage around the edges is less than total flow through the section - otherwise the water won't rise above the new baffle.

BTW, it is a really bad idea to submerge uncured silicone. You need to wait at least two days; with a week preferred.

I believe ya. I remembered the fact of cure time when I first made my sump.

 

[CStrickland]

i put a bunch of these [epoxy coated rare earth magnets] around my diy overflow to hold things together. they are very strong, i have them like one outside the tank, and another inside, with the glass and acrylic between and they do well to pinch things together, but idk if they would support much weight. maybe a couple could hold a second, larger piece of glass up against the too short one for you?

i think i got the idea from people making frag racks, they haven't killed anything in my tank... yet, but to soon to say for sure. i had a couple i didn't use cause the epoxy chipped when i let them get stuck together and tried to prise them apart.

 

[Wazzel]

You could make a clamp on baffle extension out of two pieces of acrylic and some nylon thumb screws. Cut one to fit well and it will function to raise the water level to where you need it.

 

[5yearplan]

+1 what wazzle said

 

[stinkyreef]

Somewhere in these forums someone used a weatherstripping of some sort on the edge of the baffle and pressure fit it into the sump with no silicone.

 

[sleepydoc]

I would take wazzle's approach. Be careful with weather stripping. Acrylic expands a bit with moisture, so be careful with the weather stripping. If you have it wedged in too tightly, the expansion can stress the sides of your sump and cause it to crack. (this warning goes for anyone putting acrylic baffles in a glass sump

 

[cymen]

Pressure Locking Sump Baffles recommends using EPDM foam rubber. I bookmarked it to potentially try it. With that approach, you could cut your acrylic with a jigsaw and use the foam to put it in place.