Glass tank/Acrylic baffles?

Ryan009 · 12/15/2008, 08:40 AM

I bought an All Glass 120 to use as a sump and put cell cast acrylic baffles in to separate the various chambers in the sump.

My local reef club had its holiday party at my house yesterday and some people expressed concern that the acrylic will expand when put is service (the sump is dry as it hasn't been installed yet) and possible break the glass or seams on the 120.

Fact or fiction?

celano · 12/15/2008, 08:56 AM

Hmm I've never heard of acrylic baffles expanding before and breaking the tank. If you're really worried about it you could have the baffle cut a little less wide so there is a small gap inbetween the tank and the baffle. When you silicone them in just fill the gap. This is what I did with mine and it seemed to work out really well.

Blazer88 · 12/15/2008, 10:11 AM

I left a 1/8" gap on each side of the acrylic baffle and used GE silicon to hold it in place. I've never had an issue.

12/15/2008, 08:40 AM	#1
Ryan009 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West Bend, WI Posts: 433	Glass tank/Acrylic baffles? I bought an All Glass 120 to use as a sump and put cell cast acrylic baffles in to separate the various chambers in the sump. My local reef club had its holiday party at my house yesterday and some people expressed concern that the acrylic will expand when put is service (the sump is dry as it hasn't been installed yet) and possible break the glass or seams on the 120. Fact or fiction?

12/15/2008, 08:56 AM	#2
celano Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 910	Hmm I've never heard of acrylic baffles expanding before and breaking the tank. If you're really worried about it you could have the baffle cut a little less wide so there is a small gap inbetween the tank and the baffle. When you silicone them in just fill the gap. This is what I did with mine and it seemed to work out really well.

12/15/2008, 10:11 AM	#3
Blazer88 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,415	I left a 1/8" gap on each side of the acrylic baffle and used GE silicon to hold it in place. I've never had an issue.