sump glass thickness

[js198027]

I am currently building my first sw setup. I am using a 40 breeder for a sump. Was just wondering what thickness glass everyone is using for the glass dividers

[Phranque]

I used 1/4" glass dividers in my 55 sump. With a smaller tank, you may get away with 3/16", but I certainly wouldn't go down to 1/8". The 1/4" is pretty stout, but not too heavy or bulky to work with..... I'd recommend it. My local glass shop cut me two 12" x 15" panes, polished the edges, and rounded the bottom corners on one of the panes for $22.

[Tkey3425]

1/4" minimum for a 40B. 18" is a pretty wide piece of glass and it would be a mess if it flexed and shattered.

[js198027]

can anybody give me a recommendation on how tall to make the partitions?

[mr_X]

What are the specs on your skimmer? 10" is about average. you can always put the skimmer on a platform to make the partitions higher if you want a deeper refugium, but don't forget to leave some room for the DT to drain into when the return pump is off.

[Tkey3425]

In my 40B I'm going to run 12" of water. That should leave me plenty for my 210 DT to drain (IF my calculations are correct lol) What size is your tank so we have an idea of how much drain you would have?

[js198027]

sorry, my Dt is a 75 and I am planning on using a reef octopus Diablo dc 150 skimmer. The specs say Recommended Sump Water Depth: 5.5"-6.5" and I am planning on getting the Diablo dc 3500 return pump.

[Tkey3425]

i have always used egg crate to lift a skimmer.

[js198027]

do any of you know is that recommendation a minimum water height can the water go up that high on the skimmer or would I have to raise it 5" to have have a 10"water height in the sump. sorry if these are dumb questions. Just trying to understand it all.

[Tkey3425]

Originally Posted by js198027

do any of you know is that recommendation a minimum water height can the water go up that high on the skimmer or would I have to raise it 5" to have have a 10"water height in the sump. sorry if these are dumb questions. Just trying to understand it all.

You will have to raise it to the manufacturers water level recommendations

[Grizz]

Originally Posted by js198027

do any of you know is that recommendation a minimum water height can the water go up that high on the skimmer or would I have to raise it 5" to have have a 10"water height in the sump. sorry if these are dumb questions. Just trying to understand it all.

You'll need to raise the skimmer 4.5 inches if you want a water depth of 10 in. This will set the skimmer in 5.5 inches of water

[js198027]

Ok. Thanks for the info. Any suggestions to raise it other than a lot of stacked egg crate?

[Phranque]

Originally Posted by js198027

Ok. Thanks for the info. Any suggestions to raise it other than a lot of stacked egg crate?

Yeah.... build a BOX out of eggcrate & zip-ties. You can make it whatever dimensions you want. Use a few ties down each side & around the bottom (or top) panel, and it is surprisingly stout.....

[js198027]

thank you very much that's a great idea

[doaz]

Where do you get the egg crates?

[Tkey3425]

Originally Posted by doaz

Where do you get the egg crates?

Any lowes or Home Depot should have it. It's usually in the lighting section

[Grizz]

Originally Posted by Phranque

Yeah.... build a BOX out of eggcrate & zip-ties. You can make it whatever dimensions you want. Use a few ties down each side & around the bottom (or top) panel, and it is surprisingly stout.....

You can also fill that box with rock rubble. less wasted space

[Ingy]

HA! Dufous at my Home Depot lighting department never even heard of the stuff. I found it in the construction section.

[Tkey3425]

Originally Posted by Grizz

You can also fill that box with rock rubble. less wasted space

Just keep good flow around them so they don't build up detritus and create more problems.

[TheTodd]

Not to hijack the thread, but I've been following this and have always had acrylic tanks with the built-in filtration or been around tanks that already had the sumps built and running. Why do skimmers need to be raised? The 240g I am setting up came with a skimmer (no idea what brand...looks older) and I think he just had it on the floor of the sump. Now I am wondering if it needs to be raised. I'm working on all of that (sump and adding a 35g refugium to the two CPR boxes he used) this weekend.