Sump Build Question

RedDmon · 05/27/2008, 06:13 PM

A lot of what I've been reading about building a sump says to use 1/4" clear acrylic. Most of these sumps are monsters compared to what I have in mind. Anyone see any reason why 3/16" clear acrylic wouldn't work? The size I have in mind is going to be approximately 24 to 30 inches long, by 12 inches wide and 16 inches tall. I might be able to squeeze 14 inches on the width but not sure if that'll mean cutting a hole in my stand or not. I know 12 will fit. I would be figuring on using some sort of bracing at the top.

Feedback?

VisionsSS · 05/27/2008, 07:26 PM

Check out www.melevsreef.com

His first sump was 1/8" acrylic and he stated that it worked but had quite a bit of bow. I would think you could use 3/16" being its very close to 1/4" would work but I would consider adding additional braces for extra support.

I would look into the cost factors as there really isn't much difference in 3/16 and 1/4" it might be better to spend an extra $20 for piece of mind.

Spend some time threading through Melevsreef. You might even get some different design ideas you hadn't thought of.

RedDmon · 05/27/2008, 07:58 PM

True the cost per sheet from 3/16" to 1/4" is minimal. But I have access to 3/16" for free. So, it goes from spending $80 for 1/4" or spending nothing on 3/16". I've looked at a lot of melevsreef.com designs, Marc work has kind of been the inspiration for my project.

VisionsSS · 05/27/2008, 08:04 PM

Cool! I'm always a fan of free materials for DIY projects. Really IMO you have nothing to loose. If Marc has done one with 1/8" and it didn't blow up then I would say 3/16" should work for you. Just over build the braces and water test it for a day or more to make sure no leaks.

Another idea depending on your stand room/design is to add some wood braces around or in front of the sump to hold it from bowing out....just an idea.

RedDmon · 05/27/2008, 08:19 PM

Thanks, I'll consider the additional external braces. Better to overbuild than to have wake up to a saltwater flood.

Mike778922 · 05/27/2008, 08:59 PM

From what I have read, it depends on the depth of the water. I used 1/4" and still have some bow over time with anything over about a foot without bracing. This is a good site to use.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/article...c_aquarium.php

shag26272 · 05/27/2008, 10:13 PM

as long as you have enough baffles on the inside it should be pretty strong

05/27/2008, 06:13 PM	#1
RedDmon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 385	Sump Build Question A lot of what I've been reading about building a sump says to use 1/4" clear acrylic. Most of these sumps are monsters compared to what I have in mind. Anyone see any reason why 3/16" clear acrylic wouldn't work? The size I have in mind is going to be approximately 24 to 30 inches long, by 12 inches wide and 16 inches tall. I might be able to squeeze 14 inches on the width but not sure if that'll mean cutting a hole in my stand or not. I know 12 will fit. I would be figuring on using some sort of bracing at the top. Feedback? __________________ Gun Control Means Never Having To Say I Missed You. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon mixed reef; Ricordea; Red Open Brain; Star Polyps, 'smrooms, Finger Leather, Zoanthids

05/27/2008, 07:26 PM	#2
VisionsSS Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 146	Check out www.melevsreef.com His first sump was 1/8" acrylic and he stated that it worked but had quite a bit of bow. I would think you could use 3/16" being its very close to 1/4" would work but I would consider adding additional braces for extra support. I would look into the cost factors as there really isn't much difference in 3/16 and 1/4" it might be better to spend an extra $20 for piece of mind. Spend some time threading through Melevsreef. You might even get some different design ideas you hadn't thought of. __________________ Visions Sound & Security GPS Northwest Current Tank Info: 45g soon to be FOWLR. Its all about "the filter guys.biz" RO/DI, sumps, fuges, ato, and Mangoves for aesthetics and the ladies

05/27/2008, 07:58 PM	#3
RedDmon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 385	True the cost per sheet from 3/16" to 1/4" is minimal. But I have access to 3/16" for free. So, it goes from spending $80 for 1/4" or spending nothing on 3/16". I've looked at a lot of melevsreef.com designs, Marc work has kind of been the inspiration for my project. __________________ Gun Control Means Never Having To Say I Missed You. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon mixed reef; Ricordea; Red Open Brain; Star Polyps, 'smrooms, Finger Leather, Zoanthids

05/27/2008, 08:04 PM	#4
VisionsSS Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 146	Cool! I'm always a fan of free materials for DIY projects. Really IMO you have nothing to loose. If Marc has done one with 1/8" and it didn't blow up then I would say 3/16" should work for you. Just over build the braces and water test it for a day or more to make sure no leaks. Another idea depending on your stand room/design is to add some wood braces around or in front of the sump to hold it from bowing out....just an idea. __________________ Visions Sound & Security GPS Northwest Current Tank Info: 45g soon to be FOWLR. Its all about "the filter guys.biz" RO/DI, sumps, fuges, ato, and Mangoves for aesthetics and the ladies

05/27/2008, 08:19 PM	#5
RedDmon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 385	Thanks, I'll consider the additional external braces. Better to overbuild than to have wake up to a saltwater flood. __________________ Gun Control Means Never Having To Say I Missed You. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon mixed reef; Ricordea; Red Open Brain; Star Polyps, 'smrooms, Finger Leather, Zoanthids

05/27/2008, 08:59 PM	#6
Mike778922 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Troy, New York Posts: 59	From what I have read, it depends on the depth of the water. I used 1/4" and still have some bow over time with anything over about a foot without bracing. This is a good site to use. http://www.cichlid-forum.com/article...c_aquarium.php

05/27/2008, 10:13 PM	#7
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	as long as you have enough baffles on the inside it should be pretty strong __________________ .