spacey

I actually did some work w/1/4" acrylic... played around w/cutting and trying to make something. Got some Weld-On too, if need be. Maybe... I need to sleep on it . In the mean time in case anyone's interested I found a reasonable place in Manassas for glass baffles. 12.5" x 10" 1/4" glass w/sanded edges - $10/piece! That would be for a 50g sump. Still need to take exact width (the 12.5" +/- 1/4" or so) measurements if I go this route after I actually get the tank. Full Service Glass in Manassas - www.fsglassdc.com Spacey

I have considered acrylic (plexi...) but I hear silicone doesn't adhere well to it so it's not an optimal material to use for baffles (or anything) within a glass tank. That said, I have not personally tried siliconing acrylic so don't know off hand. I have played around w/it though, including cutting. Not afraid of dust because in my experience it all melts from cutting or drilling so there isn't enough dust as far as I am concerned lol In fact it's hard to keep the two pieces sawed separate because right behind the blade the debris melts and glues them back together. Granted, I probably didn't use an optimal blade... but. Its not that cheap at 1/4" thickness... but you're right... probably beats the stupid $20/baffle quote I got. I am actually thinking about going in a completely different direction w/the sump - no baffles, multiple tanks and buckets etc. There are plenty of 10 or 20G tanks around at reasonable prices. And bulkheads and PVC are also mostly reasonably priced. So I am at this point mostly just checking on the baffles in case my unconventional sump design turns out to be a dud. Spacey

Thx Piper, I'll give them a shot. I remember A1 Glass, had them fix a broken window in my house few years back. Best, Spacey

I am debating on my sump design and one of the designs is the standard 50/55g tank w/glass baffles. But... I am shocked at how much the couple of glass shops I contacted want for the baffles cut from 1/4" glass. $20/baffle! Is this the going price in this area or just a steep shop I run into? I am located in Haymarket/Manassas area, so west/south west of the beltway location would be best but I am willing to drive pretty much anywhere in the area if the prices are decent. Thx, Spacey