12" or 18" UGF for 16" tank?

[f8ldzz]

I'm a new happy owner of a 60G - 48" x 16" footprint.
I really want to put a RUGF on it, but the standard sizes for the UGF's locally are 48" x 12" (55G) or 48" x 18" (75G / 90G).
I would think the UGF would function better of it covered the entire floor of the tank, so should I just get the 18" one and modify it to fit my 16" or am I stuck with the 12"?
I'm not afraid to cut the plastic panels.

 

[daveedka]

To me either way would be fine, the 12" filter would work well enough, with 3-4 inches of substrate in the front you won't have a completely dead area I don't imagine. There are a few folks who use UGF plates on half of their tank, and leave the other half without.

Cutting the larger filter down is not an entirely bad idea either. When I work with difficult to cut plastics I generally use a soldering iron with a pointed tip to do the cutting. You can get a cheap one at radio-shack. You may also be a ble to find a "hot Knife" at a good hobby shop that is designed for exactly the same purpose. Either way be very careful when working with hot plastic, but it's the only way to easily and accurately cut certain types of plastic.

If you end up with large than desired holes or gaps in the filter just cover them well with fiberglass window screen.
dave

 

[f8ldzz]

I've got access to an industrial hot knife, and I do custom work with ABS / acrylics for automotive applications.
That doesn't scare me.
Yeah, you hit it right on the head - it's the dead spots I'm worry about.
The Sea Clear 60G has rounded front corners, so that's going to be a little tricky.
I was thinking about cutting the 18" down the lateral center and then just overlapping the plates just to make things easier.
I'm going to see if I can get the front rounded corners in nicely.
Thanx for the reply!

 

[daveedka]

Just a word of advice, leave youself at least an inch between the filter and the front glass, that wqay the substrate can hide the filter well and more importantly room light can't get through to shine under the filter. you will have plenty of flow to keep anything less than 2 " from stagnating I would imagine. You may have already seen this, but here is a really good article to read for general purposes if you want. It may also clue you into some additional ideas with your customizing plans.
http://www.aquasource.org/CMS/modul...ns&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=17&page=1

HTH
Dave