Repairing Sump Baffles

[rooroo]

I installed my new sump today, and the silicon I used to glue in the baffles did great except for one baffle, which isn't even under as much pressure as the other baffles. It's not imperitive that I repair it immediately, but I was hoping there's an easy way to repair the seam without removing the sump and scraping off the old silicon. Would two part, 5 minute epoxy work? Or that epoxy in stick form? I can drain the sump down a bit and remove water from the areas around it, but if theres something safe for underwater use that would be even better.

 

Just to defend the baffles a little, I probably should have bought thicker acrylic as they bow a bit when under pressure, but when the whole sump is full none bow. Anyway, any help greatly appreciated.

[Guest zmalexander]

Not sure if the epoxy will bind acrylic to glass....

 

By the way, I just ordered my acrylic from Piedmont, I did go with 3/16". What thickness did you use?

 

Oh and for everyone else. Piedmont will cut your acrylic to whatever specifications you like, but they cannot machine it...i.e. can't put in drain slots or holes. All they do is cut it to size.

 

Zac

[rooroo]

3/16"

 

If you've got the time it might be a good idea to call them up and see if you can get 1/4". If not it will probably hold, just use extra silicon.

[rooroo]

Well I realized that my plumbing is also a bit off, so I am going to have to empty the sump anyway to flip it around. So I am going to reinforce the baffles with scrap acrylic.

[steveoutlaw]

Just use a butt load of silicone. I got a full caulk tube of it from BRK and my baffles arent' going anywhere!!

[YBeNormal]

Add small acrylic spacers between the acrylic baffles. This will help with the bowing as you fill or drain the sump. And as Steve said, use a bunch of silicone. The silicone sticks to the glass very well but not so well to acrylic so what you are basically doing is creating a silicone wall that holds the acrylic panel in place.

[TROLL]

Use a lot silicone, 3/16" won't have enough area for silicone to stick acrylic to glass.

 

As for bowing, maybe try gluing eggcrate to the pane- just glue it to the baffle or tie cable it. It works great for me.

[quazi]

I siliconed egg crate on the glass next to the acrylic, and it gives the acrylic a lot more strength.

[rooroo]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to get some thicker acrylic today and will glue in spacers for the baffles. I still have plenty of silicon left so I'll be sure to use a lot of it.