where to get acrylic supplies for building sump

[Radicaljbr]

Hi all,

I broke my glass sump last night and now need a sump/fuge. I called around and most places want around $300 or more to build me a sump with fuge.

So, I think I will try my hand at building my own. Whe do you go to buy acrylic sheets? How thick should a 30 gallon be? This will go under my 105 Gallon reef tank.

Will there be a meeting where acrylic will be discussed?

Thanks

 

[Bowman]

John off the top of my head Team plastics on W150th St. just south of Lorain. There is a place in Middleburg Hts by UPS but I can't think of the name. Also talk to our webmaster Paul Cimino and member Larry Summers as they work with plastics. We are looking at doing a workshop working with plastics. HTH John

 

[Radicaljbr]

Thanks John,

Do you have an email for Paul and Larry?

Since I am running my tank right now without my sump, I need to build this thing rather quickly.

Thanks again!!

 

[mike660r]

You may be better off buying a used tank to tell you the truth. If you don't have the experience of working with acrylic. Building something out of acrylic that needs to hold water could be catostrophic. Not to mention a waste of money if your joints leak. I am not trying to discourage you by any means. I am just sharing my opinion from what I have learned about working with acrylic.

I purchase my pieces from a shop in Toledo. Its a small dive but they have always had the small pieces I needed. You can also get all your adhesives here: http://www.mcmaster.com/

 

[Radicaljbr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7144990#post7144990 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mike660r
You may be better off buying a used tank to tell you the truth. If you don't have the experience of working with acrylic. Building something out of acrylic that needs to hold water could be catostrophic. Not to mention a waste of money if your joints leak. I am not trying to discourage you by any means. I am just sharing my opinion from what I have learned about working with acrylic.

I purchase my pieces from a shop in Toledo. Its a small dive but they have always had the small pieces I needed. You can also get all your adhesives here: http://www.mcmaster.com/

Thanks, I have been wanting to try this for a while now and since I cracked my tank last night, now is the perfect time. I understand that I have no experience and it might not turn out too good, but if I can build a house then I am hoping I can build a tank. I have been doing some research on RC and it seems pretty straight forward. I might make a little tank first just to try my skills.

Thanks for the link

 

[mike660r]

No problem.. Good luck with your project. I hope all goes well.

 

[fade2black]

The place in Middleburg Hts is Total Plastics. If you have any questions on building it, let me know....I've built a tank or two in my day.

 

[Radicaljbr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7148560#post7148560 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fade2black
The place in Middleburg Hts is Total Plastics. If you have any questions on building it, let me know....I've built a tank or two in my day.

I would love to talk to you about this.

I have PMd you.

 

[Thurge]

H&P Manufacturing on Carnigie is where I go. They have a pretty large scrap pile.

 

[Radicaljbr]

What about the acrylic sheets sold at Home Depot and Lowes?

Will that work as well?

Thanks

 

[Bowman]

The sheets you get there are extruded acrylic, not the perfered material for boxes of water. Extruded absorb much water which puts stress on the glue joints. You could probably get by with it for dividers and baffles, but in the long run your better off using cast acrylic for the entire project. HTH

 

[Thurge]

For years I have been asking why its highly recommended to use Cell Cast over extruded, and have never gotten an answer except from the guy at the acrylic shop who tells me the only difference is that the cell cast is more machineable...
Where did you find out about extruded absorbing water?

My sumps have been out of extruded acrylic, I just go a little thicker when choseing scraps to build it. No problems to date...

 

[Bowman]

Thurge; I learned a lot of the information from the acrylic fabrication course I took sometime back. It was conducted by several individuals that work in the acrylic fabrication field. Cell cast is preferred because of it's workabliity, both for machining and bonding. Extruded is said to absorb more water than cell cast putting more stress on the glued seams. Also glue does not "bite" into extruded as well when doing glue up. If you have been using it for a while and not having problems and are satisfied with the results that is great Keep on doing what you have been doing, all I am doing is passing on the information I have been given. No problems here. HTH

 

[Radicaljbr]

Does anyone have a number for this place called Total Plastics in Middleburg Hts.?

Can't seem to find a number in the book. Would like to call before traveling down there.

Thanks

 

[Bowman]

Team Plastics, Inc.
3901 W. 150th St.
Cleveland, OH 44111

Phone: 216-426-2280, 800-931-8326 (toll free)
Fax: 216-426-2283

Employees: 10-49
Activities: Distributor, Manufacturer
Export Markets: Western Europe, Asia, Europe
Import Markets: Asia, Europe


Contact Team Plastics, Inc.
Find Team Plastics, Inc. and others on ThomasNet.com

 

[Bowman]

http://www.totalplastics.com/

17851 Englewood Dr.
Cleveland, Ohio 44130-3468

440-891-1140
877-348-6825

 

[Radicaljbr]

John,

Wow....your good.

Thanks for all the info.

 

[Bowman]

Can't take all the credit google gets most of it.

 

[Thurge]

Thanks for the info John. I wasn't doubting I was hoping, as you did, you would finally have the answer to my question.

 

[Radicaljbr]

Called both and I can get a 4 x 8 sheet of Cast for around $106.

Does this sound right?

Now I just need to create a good design.

Then the fun starts!!