1St Build Sump Filter

[gogo]

Right i'm attemping to make my very 1st sump filter ive never done anything like this before and i've only kept my own fish tank (4ft) for about 6months (my parents had fish) so ill keep an update on TFF on the progress so far. I've worked out i can have a 2ft x 1ft x 15" tank so first things 1st find a tank, my mate has got one which i've gotta go look at its 2ft but that's all i know
one quick question for anybody who may know about this but can i use acrylic dividers on a glass tank or will only glass do if anyone can help me it would be great

 

[OldMan47]

I can see no reason not to use acrylic as the dividers in the sump itself. It would be much easier to work with than glass IMO.

 

[bitteraspects]

glass is much easier to work with, and is fairly priced when you get it pre-cut from a local glass shop.
you may have trouble trying to silicon acrylic to glass, but if you can make it work, i dont see why you couldnt use acrylic.

 

[gogo]

i would have thought that acrylic would have been easier to work with jigsaw ect and the shape of my sump which is quite complicated i dont think i'll be able to cut glass like how i want it and i think i can get acrylic for free

 

[littleimp]

Think about what you need and have glass cut at local glass merchants in 4mm, glass is cheaper than acrylic. I had several sections for this 4ft sump cut and it cost me £18.00

 

[littleimp]

Easiest way to fit the panels is by standing the sump on it's end and then insert books to the height of your first baffle. Place baffle in, stick masking tape around the tank leaving 1/4" gap and silicon, just the one side. Repeat until all the panels are in and let dry, turn over and than silicon the other side in the same way. I found this to be a much neater way of doing it & take your time, it's not a race.

 

[OldMan47]

Nice tip there Littleimp. I never would have thought of setting up a support like that to silicone in a divider.

 

[littleimp]

Masking tape isn't a requirement when fitting the panels that way, just a good way of having neat edges. If your handy with a caulking gun you'd be OK without it.