sump baffle material

[Monkeyfish]

I'm using a 75g tank for a sump. Can I cut 3/8" acrylic to use as the baffles or do the baffles need to be made out of glass?

If the acrylic is okay; will silicone (generously applied to both sides) hold the baffles or do I need to use something else?

Thanks for the help,
Eric

 

[shyland83]

You can cut acrylic to fit and silicone both sides. the silicone traps the baffle in place, so even if the silicon doesn't stick really well it will be fine. just scuff up the acrylic first with a little sand paper.

However, glass it typically cheaper and adheres better with silicone. 1/4" glass cut to size at a glass shop won't cost you much, so unless you have acrylic laying around or can get a good deal i would personally use glass.

 

[bigsink]

Please go with quarter inch glass. You will be MUCH happier in the long run. If you have it cut, make sure all of the edges are polished so you do not cut yourself when cleaning in the future.

 

[Monkeyfish]

If I go with the glass, does the fit have to be snug or do I leave a tiny bit of room tween the baffles and tank/sump wall for the silicone?

Why will the glass baffles be superior to the plastic?

 

[qy7400]

Acrylic doesn't really adhere to silicone, it'll just float in place and eventually your center baffle will fall out. If one of your baffles is for a fuge it will always leak and the pressure may just pop it out of place. With glass baffles the silicone will adhere, good seams should last a long time plus be water tight.

 

[TimSalty]

You want a little room for silicone. I went to Gino's auto glass, they will cut your glass and seam the edge for you so you don't cut yourself while your doing scheduled cleanings to your sump.

They're very resonabvle for custom cut pieces too.

Tim

 

[billsreef]

Whichever material you use, you do not want a snug fit. You need a bit of wiggle room to allow for expansion and contraction of the glass with changes in temperature. I have actually seen tanks cracked because of baffles being fitted snuggly.

 

[Monkeyfish]

Is 1/16th of an inch between tank and baffle enough wiggle room?

Hey Tim - Where's Gino's at?

 

[billsreef]

1/16 should be good, basically just enough that it would fall over without the silicone.

 

[Patrick12]

I have done both and either will work. I have had no problems with the pressure causing leakage around my acrylic baffles. If you apply the silicone correctly, it will adhere well enough and like stated, is really just holding it in place anyways. I like the acrylic because I can use the tablesaw and make teeth that I cannot do with the glass.

In the end, either one will git r dun.