Got a 20G Long AGA for a sump

[wonderballz]

Hey guys. I wanna make a sump out of the 20G. Can I use acrylic for the baffles? I was thinking of this type from www.melevsreef.com. Three sections. From right to left, intake from DT, back to tank, and then fuge. What do you guys think?

 

[Dre]

Yes you can, and remember the corners on the AGA are not square because of the silicone and the rim.

 

[emmanuel]

you can use acrylic but it wont work the way you want it should be right to left you should go dump from dt then fuge in the center then return to tank on left ---that is if you do it as pictured

 

[Dre]

Hey guys. I wanna make a sump out of the 20G. Can I use acrylic for the baffles? I was thinking of this type from www.melevsreef.com. Three sections. From right to left, intake from DT, back to tank, and then fuge. What do you guys think?

I must be missing something. :scratchch

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Acrylic + Glass = Fail.

If the tank is glass use glass baffles. If the tank is Acrylic use acrylic baffles.

 

[wonderballz]

Got it. Glass baffles, and right to left you should go dump from dt then fuge in the center then return to tank on left.

Any other ideas?

 

[emmanuel]

Acrylic + Glass = Fail.

If the tank is glass use glass baffles. If the tank is Acrylic use acrylic baffles.

Ive been using acrylic baffles on my glass sump for 6 years with no problems just dont make the acrylic too tight on the glass cause expansion is different even though it should not expand and contract much since the temperature of your water will/should always be stable

 

[Dre]

I use plexyglass in my glass refuge/sumps because i can cut/drill holes if need be,If i make a mistake with the measurement i can shape it to fit and it will not brake or cut me.I'v been using plexyglass inside glass sumps/refuge for years without a problem .Once the silicone is set it's hell to get it out.In the pic below i use the black plexyglass for partions in my refuge/sump.

 

[wonderballz]

Ok. Thanks you two. I'll prob go with acrylic. 1/4" should be sufficient no?

 

[Dre]

Ok. Thanks you two. I'll prob go with acrylic. 1/4" should be sufficient no?

1/4 is good .I should also point out that Acrylic cost about 3 times more than glass.Good luck.

 

[wonderballz]

ok...yet more useful information. Thanks Dre. For some reason, I thought it was the other way around. Glass it is.

 

[wonderballz]

kinda bringing this one back. I built the 20G sump. Just wanted to know, when plumbing the plumbing, should the drains be under water, or just above the water line? Should I get some filter socks? I am in the process of finishing off my stand, and gonna need to get the plumbing squared away.

Thanks guys.

 

[duke62]

dont do acrylic.go to a glass shop it will cost u around the same price.they will even cut the bevels out for you

 

[wonderballz]

thanks duke, but the sump s already built. just a question on the plumbing.

 

[wonderballz]

Any input on the plumbing question?

 

[motortrendz]

theres a ton of info and threads on the drains, durso/standard stockers or custon jobs..

thry reading this thread its legnthy but should answer all your questions

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=344892

 

[fritz]

In my experience your best bet is to slow the water down as much as possible before it hits the water. This will minimize noise, splash and therefor salt spray etc. You can use a PVC trap like you have under any sink in your house to help slow the water down. Another thing to avoid is a straight drop! Always have the water come down like a water slide rather than a water fall. I usually terminate water into the sump at a 45 degree angle.

Also use glass for the baffles, as was mentioned it costs the same and will adhere to glass better with silicone. Glass sumps use glass baffles, acrylic sumps use acrylic baffles. Just because someone has done something for years and it worked doesn't make it a good idea or the best way to do something.

 

[wonderballz]

Cool, Thanks fritz. I am planning a 45 degree angle towards the sump rather than a perpendicular drop. Also, I have the drain Tee'd off to the fuge, so I can adjust the flow. I have read that having the fuge water drain slightly above the water line so it stirs the surface a little. I suppose I should do the same for the main drain.

 

[fritz]

You can get super funky here. Don't glue the last few pieces till you've settled in on what you like. I've tried 90 degree elbows halfway submerged to really get flow, loc-line nozzles all kinds of stuff. Go crazy, there's no "right" way to do it.

Unless of course you're going to gravity feed your skimmer and have the air spillover feed your fuge. Other than that, there's no right way.

 

[wonderballz]

Thanks Fritz. I am gonna run freshwater for a little while to make sure it's all water tight.