Need suggestions for a sump(rubbermaid, etc)

[loganj]

Silicone will hold glass just fine...it's all that holds your aquarium together. You can use the silicone from HD...make sure you get the 100% pure clear silicone by GE. Don't use the stuff for windows and doors or the stuff that's labeled for bathrooms....only the plain clear silicone. Silicone doesn't work quite as well on acrylic though. I have heard of people using it to join acrylic, but I have seen it fail too many times to trust it. It seems to stick to glass very well though. Let it cure for at least 24 hours before you put any water on it. If you have any glass cut for dividers, I would suggest having the edges ground as this will lessen the danger of getting cut on it.
Logan J

[roadster3043]

Thank you everyone.

I think I'm getting more interested in making the sump either in acrylic or with a 10 gal tank.

Anyone has any links, info, etc. as to working with acrylic, tools needed, etc.?
Does HD cuts acrylic to specified measurements?

I've always been curious, what tool is used for making the Us on the overflows, etc.

TIA

[loganj]

The best way to cut acrylic is on a table saw using a 7 1/4" paneling blade. Make sure the teeth on the blade are in line with each other and not offset. Offset teeth will cause the acrylic to chip. Run the blade so that it comes through the acrylic about 1/8".

The best glue I have found for acrylic is Weld On #3 and #16. The #3 is very thin and your parts will have to fit perfectly to use it. The #16 is thicker and will fill gaps...needless to say, I use mostly the #16 .

HD is too high on their acrylic...check your local glass shops. You should be able to buy a sheet of 1/4" for about $80. You might buy scraps of the right size for nearly nothing depending on how large a sump you wish to construct.
The best tool for making the U tubes on the overflow is your credit card. Seriously, I have tried to bend that stuff and have not had lots of luck with it. You can bend sheet acrylic with a heat gun, but you have to be really careful not to overheat it or it will bubble up. I just buy the U tubes though. You can bend PVC easily with heat, but I like the clear tubes better.
Logan J

[roadster3043]

Thank you Logan.

My apologies, when I was referring to the Us I meant the surface skimmer/strainer on the overflows.

[loganj]

Oh OK. That is called a weir. I use the table saw to make them. Just stand the piece of acrylic up against the miter guide and run it across the blade. Set the blade height to whatever depth you want the notches to be. I use the edge of the blade insert as a guide to keep the notches even. I suppose it could be done with a router also...I'm just too lazy to set the router table up to do it I guess.
Logan J

I just buy the U tubes though. You can bend PVC easily with heat, but I like the clear tubes better.

I looked for these U tubes and everyone wants $9 to $10 for these here.
I took the 1inch Riser tubes from UGF and heated and bent them. Works great.

Total cost for 2 of them was around $3.

[loganj]

I was thinking that I saw them recently in the Dr Foster catalog for lots less than that...like $3. Could have been a hallucination though . How did you heat them? Mine just folded up. To get a good shape, as I'm sure you already knew, the top of the tube has to stretch while the bottom side of the bend has to compress. Mine looked like an aborted art project from the reform school kindergarten . Seriously, I'd like to know how you did yours so I can give it another try.
Logan J

Very Patiently w/ heat gun and wrapped around a Campbells soup can. You have to be as consistant as you can with the heat though, or it will do exactly what you say. Thinking about it, I made 2 of them. However, in hind sight, you may want to purchase them just for the trouble.