Diy Sump Thickness.

[proton]

Hi all, I am about to make my own sump, or thinking about it. I have looked around my LFS and not so LFS and can't find a 12" x 12" (305mm x 305mm) tank. But on ebay I have found perspex glass that is exactly that size. But at what thickness can I make the sump? there are some that are 3mm thick, 4mm thick, 5,6,8,10 ect... Which thickness is safe? I was thinking 4mm or 5mm? The size under my tank is just over 13" x 13"...

But the price of creating it is the same as a clearseal tank , Typical !!!

 

[SkiFletch]

Well, 4mm would probably be safe but would be difficult to make a good seal if this is your first time working with acrylic. 6mm would be much easier to seal. Remember, you can't use silicone to make a tank with acrylic, you have to use a methylene chloride based solvent to do it.

 

[proton]

Can I sniff it?

I think I might just go and get a clearseal one. Would cost around £12 - £20. I would need clamps for the corners ect... Gota think about it... methylene chloride, is there another name for that?

 

[SkiFletch]

methylene chloride, is there another name for that?

Dunno what its sold as in the UK, but in the states, the commonly available solvent is made by a company called IPS and the product is Weld-on

 

[AK77]

This should do the trick

** Edit**

Be warned though the above linked to item welds the two surfaces in seconds, so you might want to try a slower curing one, that will give you time to make alignment adjustments.