How 'tight' should I get glass baffles cut to fit diy sump? - Aquarium Advice

20 20 · 09-28-2005, 07:30 AM

15 gallon tank being used as the sump, 24x12,12. The side panels of the tank are 11 7/8 inches, and that is 'glass-on-glass' fit. When I get my glass baffles cut (hopefully tonight), should I go with 11 7/8 inches wide, or back it off a 16th of an inch and get them cut at 11 13/16 inches? I'm concerned that if I get them cut as an exact match (11 7/

then when I try and put them in I won't be able to. With the lip of the tank, I can't just slide the glass down, I need to angle it it sideways to get it in the body of the tank, and then slide it into position, but it it's an exact match, will I be able to do that without breaking it?

mp3z24 · 09-28-2005, 03:01 PM

the other problem you will run into is that the silicone sealant at the seams will interfere with a pane of glass that is cut to the exact interior dimension of the tank.

that said... i would probably get the glass cut exact and also remove some of the silicone from the affected areas. then when the baffles are to be installed, i would apply the silicone to the baffle and the tank corner at the same time. as long as the baffle is not cut too large, you shouldnt have a problem with fitting it between the front and back panes of the tank.

but this is all speculation, as i have never built a sump.

~mike

andywg · 09-29-2005, 08:08 PM

I would get it cut up to a quarter of an inche smaller than the gap. Silicone can esaily handle a gap that size.

20 20 · 09-29-2005, 11:16 PM

Thanks for the replies. I had the baffles cut at 11 3/4 inches, so that left 1/16 of an inch on each side for 'play'. Was easy to get in place, but next time I might cut it a bit closer. Here's a pic:

Haven't put any water in it yet, but not bad for my first try, if I do say so myself!

20 20 · 10-03-2005, 09:45 AM

Sump in action:

09-28-2005, 07:30 AM	#1
20 20 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: PA Posts: 298	How 'tight' should I get glass baffles cut to fit diy sump? 15 gallon tank being used as the sump, 24x12,12. The side panels of the tank are 11 7/8 inches, and that is 'glass-on-glass' fit. When I get my glass baffles cut (hopefully tonight), should I go with 11 7/8 inches wide, or back it off a 16th of an inch and get them cut at 11 13/16 inches? I'm concerned that if I get them cut as an exact match (11 7/ then when I try and put them in I won't be able to. With the lip of the tank, I can't just slide the glass down, I need to angle it it sideways to get it in the body of the tank, and then slide it into position, but it it's an exact match, will I be able to do that without breaking it?

09-28-2005, 03:01 PM	#2
mp3z24 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 317	the other problem you will run into is that the silicone sealant at the seams will interfere with a pane of glass that is cut to the exact interior dimension of the tank. that said... i would probably get the glass cut exact and also remove some of the silicone from the affected areas. then when the baffles are to be installed, i would apply the silicone to the baffle and the tank corner at the same time. as long as the baffle is not cut too large, you shouldnt have a problem with fitting it between the front and back panes of the tank. but this is all speculation, as i have never built a sump. ~mike __________________ 55gal [acronym="Fish only with live rock"]FOWLR[/acronym], [acronym="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym] stand and Hood, AquaC Remora, Coralife Lunar Aqualight (4x65W), 60 LB Hirocks Base Rock, 40 LB [acronym="Live rock"]LR[/acronym] 50/50 Keys/Gulf 150 LB Playsand (~3-4 in [acronym="Deep Sand Bed"]DSB[/acronym]) 2 x Blood Red Fire Shrimp, 2 x Cleaner Shrimp 2 x Black and White Percula Clown, 1 x Orange Spotted Blenny, 1 x Red Stripe High Fin Goby

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Sump Baffles	SkinnyPete	DIY Projects	4	12-14-2005 03:19 PM
Sump Baffles	MT79	General Hardware/Equipment Discussion	5	11-17-2005 03:56 PM
Acrylic or Glass for a DIY sump	WarDaddy	DIY Projects	6	08-18-2005 11:23 AM
baffles for DIY sump	Dr.Nate	General Hardware/Equipment Discussion	3	05-18-2005 07:13 PM
gluing acrylic baffles to a glass sump?	guitarded	DIY Projects	2	12-16-2004 10:46 PM

09-29-2005, 08:08 PM	#3
andywg Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southend, Essex, UK Posts: 77	I would get it cut up to a quarter of an inche smaller than the gap. Silicone can esaily handle a gap that size.

09-29-2005, 11:16 PM	#4
20 20 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: PA Posts: 298	Thanks for the replies. I had the baffles cut at 11 3/4 inches, so that left 1/16 of an inch on each side for 'play'. Was easy to get in place, but next time I might cut it a bit closer. Here's a pic: Haven't put any water in it yet, but not bad for my first try, if I do say so myself!

10-03-2005, 09:45 AM	#5
20 20 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: PA Posts: 298	Sump in action: