Sump baffles

[dmatt56]

Hello Everyone,

 

I'm finally starting my sump project. I had glass baffled cut last night from Lowes. After attaching them, I noticed they are 3/32" (single ply) thick. Will this be thick enough for a sump? I siliconed the heck out of the baffles.

 

I plan to test the system tomorrow after everything finishes drying. What happens if the baffle fails?

 

Thanks,

 

Matt

[Brian Ward]

Hello Everyone,

 

I'm finally starting my sump project. I had glass baffled cut last night from Lowes. After attaching them, I noticed they are 3/32" (single ply) thick. Will this be thick enough for a sump? I siliconed the heck out of the baffles.

 

I plan to test the system tomorrow after everything finishes drying. What happens if the baffle fails?

 

Thanks,

 

Matt

 

You're referring to the thickness of the glass? For the baffles in the sump, I expect it will be fine. You'll know pretty quickly - they shouldn't bow at all when you have water flowing through. If the baffle fails, then you'll have broken glass and it won't be doing its job anymore, so you'll have some cleanup and more work to do - hopefully the broken glass won't get sucked into your pump.

 

Basically, if you set it up and the glass is bowing then it's not thick enough. If you don't see any bowing, then it should be fine.

[extreme_tooth_decay]

You're referring to the thickness of the glass? For the baffles in the sump, I expect it will be fine. You'll know pretty quickly - they shouldn't bow at all when you have water flowing through. If the baffle fails, then you'll have broken glass and it won't be doing its job anymore, so you'll have some cleanup and more work to do - hopefully the broken glass won't get sucked into your pump.

 

Basically, if you set it up and the glass is bowing then it's not thick enough. If you don't see any bowing, then it should be fine.

 

 

I used the thin glass from lowes and 2 of my 3 baffles eventually broke. (on a 55 sump, so the pieces were only 12" wide).

 

Your mileage will vary.

 

When I re-did it, I used the 1/4" acrylic from lowes (that they cut for me). That stuff is indestructible.

[dmatt56]

I used the thin glass from lowes and 2 of my 3 baffles eventually broke. (on a 55 sump, so the pieces were only 12" wide).

 

Your mileage will vary.

 

When I re-did it, I used the 1/4" acrylic from lowes (that they cut for me). That stuff is indestructible.

 

It's only a 10G aquarium sump, so there wouldn't be as much pressure or water volume as a 55G. Hmm... now I'm wondering if I should redo the baffled for 1/32".

[El Camaron]

I made a sump a while back using glass from lowes and the baffles lasted till i sold the tank, i think you should be fine.

[extreme_tooth_decay]

I'm not sure what caused mine to break...maybe the constant large amount of flow/pressure. Possibly me hitting it with the LR or skimmer. Possibly the 10" DSB in the middle. Dunno! I never actually noticed it break.

 

Since it is only a 10G, and easily re-done, I'd just wait and see what happens. I don't think there is much danger from small shards of glass getting in your equipment, mine broke into big pieces, and the big pieces still stuck there from all the silicone until I removed them.

[jason the filter freak]

you could always laminate two sheets of glass to each other using silicone making them 6/32 or 3/16 thick then glue them in place

[dmatt56]

you could always laminate two sheets of glass to each other using silicone making them 6/32 or 3/16 thick then glue them in place

 

 

Last night was the first night I used the clamp on light for the fuge. I noticed it produces ambient lighting on the wall that shines into the tank, slightly. Will this light bouncing back in the tank hurt anything? Do I need to block it some how?

 

Thanks,

 

Matt