Custom sump building question???

[Miller]

So if one was to build a custom sump with the approximate dimensions of 27"x30"x height no more then 15" (water level 10"), would 1/4" acrylic be sufficient?

My PM sump is 16"x36"x16"H (water level 9") is built of 1/4". So I am assuming the sump mentioned above would be alright as well.

I'm sure it was alright, just before I invested the $$$ into making it I wanted to make sure others agreed.

 

[jayman10134]

i would say that would work, assuming your craftsmanship is of the same quality as the PM.

 

[dcforester1]

What is the price difference with the thicker material, it might be worth it.

 

[Miller]

i would say that would work, assuming your craftsmanship is of the same quality as the PM.

Well I plan to find somebody that has access to a CNC machine to cut all the pieces so they will be PERFECT. Im sure I can take my time with the weldon to put it together.

What is the price difference with the thicker material, it might be worth it.

1/4" 48"x96" ~$181
3/8" 48"x96" ~$306
1/2" 48"x96" ~$397

 

[jayman10134]

now that i think about it you might want to add some extra baffles or braces that will hold the middle together. or some sort of brace that will connect the tops of each side to keep them from bowing out.

 

[dcforester1]

Well I plan to find somebody that has access to a CNC machine to cut all the pieces so they will be PERFECT. Im sure I can take my time with the weldon to put it together.



1/4" 48"x96" ~$181
3/8" 48"x96" ~$306
1/2" 48"x96" ~$397

That is a huge difference, now I know why you are asking.

 

[Miller]

now that i think about it you might want to add some extra baffles or braces that will hold the middle together. or some sort of brace that will connect the tops of each side to keep them from bowing out.

There will be multiple baffles for the skimmer, fuge, rock and return pump. I should have posted that in the first post.

That is a huge difference, now I know why you are asking.

Yeppers, the 1/4" price is not bad. 3/8" and 1/2" is pricy.....

 

[highpower9979]

Why not buy a used tank off brs and put some baffles in it for way cheaper. I use a 40 gallon breederr for a sump

 

[snowmaker]

way cheaper

agree, not to mention a fraction of the time before it is running, and pretty heavy duty.

 

[Miller]

The space I have to work with is 27x30.... There isn't a stanard tank size that I know of that would fit that and not waste space. I am thinking about shutting down the basement sump setup I have ATM and putting a sump under my stand. So I want to fit as much water under the stand as possible which is why I am going custom.

 

[JayM]

you might want to get in touch with one of the fabricators here if you want to go custom; l they can probably give you a turnkey for less than the cost of the materials and CNC time

I know johnk does some, as does CS, and MELEV down in tx does as well.

 

[Miller]

you might want to get in touch with one of the fabricators here if you want to go custom; l they can probably give you a turnkey for less than the cost of the materials and CNC time

I know johnk does some, as does CS, and MELEV down in tx does as well.

I'll send out a few emails to see about getting one built. Shipping from TX on a sump would have to be expensive due to the size and packaging.

I know a few people that have a CNC machine, I should be able to get the parts cut for a 6 pack.

 

[stingythingy45]

I'll send out a few emails to see about getting one built. Shipping from TX on a sump would have to be expensive due to the size and packaging.

I know a few people that have a CNC machine, I should be able to get the parts cut for a 6 pack.

Yeah,it's not bad cutting acrylic.
The people you know probably already know this.But a 2 flute endmill will gum up less.
I'd charge you a 30 pack.

 

[JohnK]

I would strongly suggest running the thickness (and any other design questions) by James (aka Acrylics) on RC. James can be found here;
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1056956&page=43

I suspect that you would be OK with 1/4" considering that it will have baffles which will serve to reinforce the tank. Adding a eurobrace and or Cross brace may necessary, but I'm not sure.

Also, FWIW, the usual way of building an acrylic tank is to have the ends, then bottom and top, slightly oversized, and then flush cut with a router after the seams are done. I'm sure you can build it with the parts cut perfectly (CNC), but you will actually have less room for error that way.

Also, also, if you've seen this thread, lets talk before following the builder's approach. His sump will probably hold together, but in several ways this is a "your doing it wrong" thread;
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1744377