DIY refugium help

Docdiggy · 11/09/2014, 11:30 AM

Does anyone know where to buy black plastic to make the baffles? I can't find it.

Docdiggy · 11/09/2014, 08:26 PM

Any help would be great.

MMacro · 11/09/2014, 08:31 PM

Why can't you just search 'black acrylic'?
http://www.pleximart.com/store.php/p...sheet_18_thick

RocketEngineer · 11/09/2014, 08:33 PM

STOP, Please. If you are trying to put black acrylic dividers into a GLASS tank, you run the risk of having the glass panels break. When acrylic is exposed to moisture, it expands which in turn can cause so much pressure on the inside of the glass panel that it cracks.

Please use acrylic baffles only in an acrylic sump. If you have a glass sump, you should make the baffles out of 1/4" glass. Don't go with the thin stuff from the hardware store as it is easy to break while working in the sump.

reefgeezer · 11/09/2014, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RocketEngineer

STOP, Please. If you are trying to put black acrylic dividers into a GLASS tank, you run the risk of having the glass panels break. When acrylic is exposed to moisture, it expands which in turn can cause so much pressure on the inside of the glass panel that it cracks.

Please use acrylic baffles only in an acrylic sump. If you have a glass sump, you should make the baffles out of 1/4" glass. Don't go with the thin stuff from the hardware store as it is easy to break while working in the sump.

Any glass shop will cut panes of 1/4" glass for you for cheap. Just measure well and place the order.

Docdiggy · 11/10/2014, 05:49 AM

Good to know about the expanding. I'm writing this for a friend and he is dead set on black. I bought an eshopps refugium and the dividers are black. I'm guessing they are black so the light can't pass through. Will there be a problem using something clear?

fermentedhiker · 11/10/2014, 07:40 AM

I've seen people use "smoked" glass for baffles in glass sumps. It's heavily tinted so that it blocks most if not all light. Any glass shop should have options for you to choose from.

11/09/2014, 11:30 AM	#1
Docdiggy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Worcester MA Posts: 645	DIY refugium help Does anyone know where to buy black plastic to make the baffles? I can't find it.

11/09/2014, 08:33 PM	#4
RocketEngineer Space is big. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Maryland Eastern Shore Posts: 3,226	STOP, Please. If you are trying to put black acrylic dividers into a GLASS tank, you run the risk of having the glass panels break. When acrylic is exposed to moisture, it expands which in turn can cause so much pressure on the inside of the glass panel that it cracks. Please use acrylic baffles only in an acrylic sump. If you have a glass sump, you should make the baffles out of 1/4" glass. Don't go with the thin stuff from the hardware store as it is easy to break while working in the sump. __________________ -RocketEngineer "Knowledge is what you get when you read the directions, experience is what you get when you don't." - Unknown Current Tank Info: None Currently

11/09/2014, 08:26 PM	#2
Docdiggy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Worcester MA Posts: 645	Any help would be great.

11/09/2014, 08:31 PM	#3
MMacro Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,442	Why can't you just search 'black acrylic'? http://www.pleximart.com/store.php/p...sheet_18_thick

11/10/2014, 05:49 AM	#6
Docdiggy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Worcester MA Posts: 645	Good to know about the expanding. I'm writing this for a friend and he is dead set on black. I bought an eshopps refugium and the dividers are black. I'm guessing they are black so the light can't pass through. Will there be a problem using something clear?

11/10/2014, 07:40 AM	#7
fermentedhiker Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Maine Posts: 382	I've seen people use "smoked" glass for baffles in glass sumps. It's heavily tinted so that it blocks most if not all light. Any glass shop should have options for you to choose from.