DIY sump

[tidioute06]

Have a couple questions about a DIY Sump.
Where can I purchase sheets of decent acrylic?
For a 40-50g sump how thick should the acrylic be?
Whats the best blade type to cut the acrylic?

Any suggestions on assembly (special clamps, tape, ect)

[fsn77]

While I don't have any specific answers, you'll find some useful information at this website (http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html) -- see the links on the left for several "how to" pages related to working with acrylic.

[tidioute06]

Thanks for the reply.
Yea I've been all over melevs site and he doesnt say anywhere about where he buys his acrylic or the thickness used in the tanks.
Home depot/lowes has junk plexiglass which i refuse to use...

[fsn77]

Marc (melev) is a really nice guy. I'd bet if you sent him an e-mail with your questions, he'd probably answer them.

[tidioute06]

I'll have to try that. thanks

[TomToro]

I've built sumps with both glass and acrylic. I bought the acrylic from Home Depot and cut it with a very small tooth trim circular saw. I masking taped over the line I needed to cut so it would be a clean cut.

The glass I had cut for me by a glass company. Each piece was cut perfectly and had the corners ground so they would sit flush against the silicone bead.

Cost was about the same for both (acrylic sheets are expensive here in Michigan). I opt for the glass now when I build a sump. Both materials were 1/4 inch.

[The Zigman]

I would build it from glass, simply because silicone does not stick to acrylic very well.
Ace hardware cust glass, as do some menards and Lowes stores.

[excuzzzeme]

I made mine out of acrylic and have no problems with it being glued in with silicon. I also used ¼". For a blade I cut it on my radial using an 80tooth aluminum cutting blade. Makes nice smooth cuts with no melting.

[xsdbs]

I made mine out of acrylic and have no problems with it being glued in with silicon. I also used ¼". For a blade I cut it on my radial using an 80tooth aluminum cutting blade. Makes nice smooth cuts with no melting.

you were able to use silicone for the plexi? I thought that plexi had to be glued with a special glue and that silicone worked on glass. if the silicone worked was it a special type of silicone? thanks

[TomToro]

When I used acrylic for my baffles, 3 different sumps, I had no issues with GE 1 silicone coming apart or leaking between sections. One sump lasted 10 years without incident. I use glass now because...I have no idea. I just like it.

[xsdbs]

When I used acrylic for my baffles, 3 different sumps, I had no issues with GE 1 silicone coming apart or leaking between sections. One sump lasted 10 years without incident. I use glass now because...I have no idea. I just like it.

were just the baffles then the plexi and the main tank glass?

[TomToro]

were just the baffles then the plexi and the main tank glass?


Yeah, just the baffles were acrylic. The tank was just a regular 50g breeder.

[xsdbs]

oh, OK. I didn't think silicone would hold the outside seams of acrylic.