Help, did I order the glass baffles too small ??? need an answer fast-

joegoersch · 12/28/2011, 07:10 AM

oops I mean too big. I went to the glass shop yesterday to order baffles for my sump a 40 breeder. I ordered them 12 x 17 3/8, which leaves about 1/8 inch total along the sides. I did this so I wouldn't need big gobs of silicone.

I just read that one should leave 1/4 inch so as not to have undue stress on the sides of glass. Maybe the glass shop did not cut them yet, so there's still time to call. Is this true ? Would 17 1/4 be better ?

Thanks !

joegoersch · 12/28/2011, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joegoersch

oops I mean too big. I went to the glass shop yesterday to order baffles for my sump a 40 breeder. I ordered them 12 x 17 3/8, which leaves about 1/8 inch total along the sides. I did this so I wouldn't need big gobs of silicone.

I just read that one should leave 1/4 inch so as not to have undue stress on the sides of glass. Maybe the glass shop did not cut them yet, so there's still time to call. Is this true ? Would 17 1/4 be better ?

Thanks !

thegrun · 12/28/2011, 07:56 AM

I don't see this as a problem. The tank is able to hold the pressure of the water without the baffles, I don't see where an extra 1/8" of silicone is going to make a difference. The baffles will make the tank stronger. I haven't made a glass sump in years, but I used a 3/16" gap the last time I used glass, I can't see a 1/8" gap as an issue other than 3/16" (or 1/4") would give you a stronger bond. The pressures inside a 40 gallon sump just aren't that great, don't worry about it.

jason2459 · 12/28/2011, 08:01 AM

The smaller the gap the stronger the bond. It will not put more force on the tank's glass but would actually reinforce it and reduce any deflection.

joegoersch · 12/28/2011, 08:38 AM

Thanks

bglegs · 12/28/2011, 08:45 AM

When I built my sump that's the gap i used...1/8...

less silicone and stronger bond that was already mentioned...

12/28/2011, 07:10 AM	#1
joegoersch Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 327	Help, did I order the glass baffles too small ??? need an answer fast- oops I mean too big. I went to the glass shop yesterday to order baffles for my sump a 40 breeder. I ordered them 12 x 17 3/8, which leaves about 1/8 inch total along the sides. I did this so I wouldn't need big gobs of silicone. I just read that one should leave 1/4 inch so as not to have undue stress on the sides of glass. Maybe the glass shop did not cut them yet, so there's still time to call. Is this true ? Would 17 1/4 be better ? Thanks ! Last edited by joegoersch; 12/28/2011 at 07:54 AM. Reason: error

12/28/2011, 08:01 AM	#4
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	The smaller the gap the stronger the bond. It will not put more force on the tank's glass but would actually reinforce it and reduce any deflection. __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

12/28/2011, 07:56 AM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I don't see this as a problem. The tank is able to hold the pressure of the water without the baffles, I don't see where an extra 1/8" of silicone is going to make a difference. The baffles will make the tank stronger. I haven't made a glass sump in years, but I used a 3/16" gap the last time I used glass, I can't see a 1/8" gap as an issue other than 3/16" (or 1/4") would give you a stronger bond. The pressures inside a 40 gallon sump just aren't that great, don't worry about it.

12/28/2011, 08:38 AM	#5
joegoersch Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 327	Thanks

12/28/2011, 08:45 AM	#6
bglegs Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 267	When I built my sump that's the gap i used...1/8... less silicone and stronger bond that was already mentioned...