JayPee Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 Ok so I have finally got my finger out and have done some more work in the fish room. I got a tank for nothing that i want to turn into a sump for my system. So my question is would it be ok to use perspex for the dividers ?? I was thinking that it would be easier than glass. Because i could cut it all at home and pre fit it. So if any bits need altering i could do it here. I know perspex lids on tanks bow but being under water and having water all the way should keep it straight. So would it be ok to use ?? I just pretty keen to finish it off so I can turn on more tanks. So does anyone use perspex for their sump dividers ?? Any help would be great. Cheers JP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frinkie Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 I just cut some glass and put it in when i did mine, would have loved to use perspex but wasn't sure were to get it and wasn't sure if it released anything odd into the water. however I have seen sumps made from 100% perspex, so I'd assume its ok to use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tech Den Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 Gravel Rash did my sumps and did a great job. One of the dividers is perspex and he used a decent thickness, if it is not thick enough it will still bow with the weight of the water, if not more than a lid so if you are going to use perspex use a decent thickness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mackayman Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 I've done a little work with sumps an dividers, I gotta say, I was shocked how easy glass is to cut, I'm sure perspex is ok , but suggest ya have a go at glass, prolly cheaper an works better in the long run. Jus get some glass from the bin at the window shop an practice if ya want. Trust me, its easy to do basic stuff, If i can do it, ...anyone can. Brendan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayPee Posted January 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 There won't be to much pressure from 1 side because there will be water on both sides. One side will just be slightly lower. I can perspex reasonably cheap so thats why i was leaning that way. If i was to go glass i would get a guy in town to cut it for me but if I was to be a bit out with my measuring then that would suck. So what sort of thickness are we talking about 6 mm. I was planning on cutting some 60 mm packers to silicone onto the side of the tank so then the dividers will have 2 surfaces to adhear too. ( get my drift ) So that would help with the slight pressure of the different heights of the water. I have made perspex dividers before with no problems to the fish. So that side of things is ok. I have never worked with glass before Brendan so thats the other factor to ge perspex. Thanks for the input guys =) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tech Den Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 When you fill the sump you will need to fill it evenly otherwise the pressure will bend out the perspex if you let it flow from one end to the other. There will still be pressure of the water flow - just the same as creek flowing will move stones. If the perspex bends as just a lid with just air on either side don't you think water would be worse and heaver?? Your dividers are going to flow over and under so there will be more pressure to the top and to the bottom. This will also be increased the wider the sump and divider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supercobwe Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 buy yourself a glass cutter from ebay and practice it with the broken glass till you master it then you would be alright. I prefer glass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayPee Posted January 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 Yeah thought about the filling part but didn't consider the flow of water. Might go back to glass idea i think. Better of doing it right from word go. But if the gap under the dividers was big enough there wouldn't be that much pressure due to flow would there. The sump is 2 ft wide its a big one. I think I might cut some templates out of thin ply then get glass cut by a guy in town. At least then i shouldn't have too many dramas. =) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tech Den Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 2 foot wide sump you will need to use thicker than 5mm glass. Seen it happen with a 2 foot wide sump just snap 5mm glass. It will flex it pretty bad if it does not snap it. Nothing stopping you from using perspex it just needs to be pretty thick that's all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad-n-angry Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 6mm will be fine use glass as previously stated perspex is going to be rather thick at 2 ft wide and it does not stick well to silicone and i dont know how you can attach it to the tank to cut glass get a straight edge and in 1 motion score the glass full length ( with a proper glass cutter) then put a cable tie/ match under the score line at both ends of the glass and press down on it it will crack down that line and you have the length you need then do the same for the height sand / file the edges clean all edges with metho and where u intend to silicone it to the tank put it in place and silicone it leave to cure for the time the tube says honestly its really easy dont use 4 mm its to thin and will break under pressure 5 mm u might get away with 6 mm u will be fine even u tube it there will be some sort of video on there doing a demo on glass cutting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidTullee Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 The template idea, then taking it to a glass supplier is a pretty neat idea. Im also starting a sump this weekend so was wondering if a 1 mm gap on both sides of any baffle pieces for the silicone to get in between the baffle and tank wall is about right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayPee Posted January 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 Ok glass it is. Due to the fact i have none i will just get a tank guy in town here to cut me some cause he's pretty cheap. If i went to the glass joint in town here i would have to sell my house just to buy the s**** outta the bin. They charge an arm and a leg. So I will work out tomorrow how i will setup the sump and get the ball rolling. I'm going to get a new pump on sunday so that should give me good insentive to get things going. =) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayPee Posted January 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 The template idea, then taking it to a glass supplier is a pretty neat idea. Im also starting a sump this weekend so was wondering if a 1 mm gap on both sides of any baffle pieces for the silicone to get in between the baffle and tank wall is about right. I was going to leave a couple of mm on each side. But I'm also having an extra piece that will get siliconed to the side of the tank. There for the dividers will seal on 2 surfaces. Just don't want it to spring a leak. =) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad-n-angry Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 the thickness of the cable tie is heaps of room just don't make your gaps too big 1 mm is heaps of room just don't rush it put in 1 baffle then let it cure for an hour or 2 then add the next this allows u time to make sure its all straight and square without it being to hard to move if its not as foul as it tastes if ya manage to get some in your mouth.... lick ya finger and run it along the bead of silicone to smooth it over and helps spread it that little bit further over the glass surfaces to give u that bit extra strength of silicone.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayPee Posted January 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 Ok so I'm going glass. 1 mm gap each side. The siliconing part i will be fine with. Installed quite a few kitchens in the past so i use water with a couple drop of detergent in a squirty bottle. Well thats decided then. Better go do something. =) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
