Plumbing Questions

yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
I am preparing to build a sump, and have a few questions.
First of all, do you glue the PVC pipe used in overflow and return pipes together? Do you use just standard PVC glue?
Also, what is a good kind of silicon to use when installing baffles? I will be using a glass tank as the sump, and will be putting in acrylic baffles. The exact silicon would be appretiated.
Thanks!
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by yannifish
http:///forum/post/3284834
I am preparing to build a sump, and have a few questions.
First of all, do you glue the PVC pipe used in overflow and return pipes together? Do you use just standard PVC glue?
I just use the standard pvc glue from home depot
Also, what is a good kind of silicon to use when installing baffles? I will be using a glass tank as the sump, and will be putting in acrylic baffles. The exact silicon would be appretiated.
glueing acrilic will not work from what I hear with silicone. You might consider using plastic containers in the sump tank for perform the same functions as baffles.
Thanks!
Welcome and hope it works out nicely.
my .02
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
I also use the standard pvc glue
BUT I have used this stuff called water weld to attach a panel before also.....it worked great, and obviously is not toxic (or my fish and stuff would be dead LOL)
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Gluing the PVC can be done with regular PVC glue....As far as acrylic to glass....Your baffles will need to be cut short on each side 1/8" and the area to be siliconed to the glass sides of the tank need to be roughed up a bit, for the silicone to adhere. It will adhere, but not bond....It will be perfectly fine for that use inside a sump....
The purpose of cutting the acrylic panel about 1/8" short on each side that is siliconed to the tank, is to allow expansion of the acrylic panel, because it will absorb some water over time, and if it's snug or really snug, could crack the tank....
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Don't forget to clean the aquarium glass really really good and use rubbing alcohol on the areas where the silicone will be. Make sure everything is dry before applying the silicone. Like Acrylic51 said...make sure to cut the baffles 1/4" short total so there is a 1/8" gap on each side of the baffle to allow for expansion.
I would recommend using aquarium safe silicone...many people use pure silicone sold in tubes for attics, windows and doors but if you read the fine print on this stuff you will see that it says not for use under the water line.
This is what I would use...the stuff on the left in the blue package can be found at Home Depot for $4 a tube...the stuff on the right is black that I picked up at ***** and sells for about $9 a tube. I'd get the stuff from Home Depot...the clear stuff.
 
S

saxman

Guest
just another hint...use 1/4" acrylic for your baffles. 1/4" won't bow and pop loose like 1/8" can.
 
yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
Thank you all very much!
One more question. In the event that I can't get any acrylic, what will be the next best thing as baffles?Beaslbob you mentioned plasic containers in the sump, how doesnthis work?
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I assumed most people would know 1/8" thick material baffles would be to thin.....The reference of 1/8"; is as 2Quills cleared 1/8" on each side total of 1/4" to allow for expansion of panel from water absorption...
 
yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
Originally Posted by acrylic51
http:///forum/post/3284978
I assumed most people would know 1/8" thick material baffles would be to thin.....The reference of 1/8"; is as 2Quills cleared 1/8" on each side total of 1/4" to allow for expansion of panel from water absorption...
Thanks.
Any suggestions as to what I can use as baffles if I can't get any acrylic?
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Go to any glass shop, they can cut it to size for you for about the same price as it would cost for a descent sheet of acrylic. Get at least 1/4" thick glass. Make sure you clean the areas of the glass were the silicone will go realy good with rubbing alcohol and let it dry before you install them.
Acryilic is easier to work with but as someone pointed out to me before you really don't want to use the cheap stuff. And the descent stuff can get pretty pricey if you're on a budget. You can get acrylic at Lowes, but if you do then get the Lexan stuff that has the blue plastic protective sheeting on it...it is twice as expensive but it's 10 times stronger than the cheap stuff of the same thickness.
 
yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
Originally Posted by 2Quills
http:///forum/post/3285025
Go to any glass shop, they can cut it to size for you for about the same price as it would cost for a descent sheet of acrylic. Get at least 1/4" thick glass. Make sure you clean the areas of the glass were the silicone will go realy good with rubbing alcohol and let it dry before you install them.
Acryilic is easier to work with but as someone pointed out to me before you really don't want to use the cheap stuff. And the descent stuff can get pretty pricey if you're on a budget. You can get acrylic at Lowes, but if you do then get the Lexan stuff that has the blue plastic protective sheeting on it...it is twice as expensive but it's 10 times stronger than the cheap stuff of the same thickness.
I do have a good glass shop in town, so I'll go take a look.
I have yet to check the local hardware stores for acrylic yet though, so ill check those first.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Local hardwares usually aren't going to have the thickness you are looking for. Other than an actual plastics shop or someone who manufactures things out of acrylic the only other place I've seen that would have it is Lowes...Home Depot might but they didn't when I was there. Otherwise gotta order online...IMO, glass would be the easiest and surest way to go with a glass sump as well as the cheapest. I only say this because I've just been through the same thing with building my sump and I started building it with the cheap acrylic but I've learned a few new things since then so I'm going to redo it with glass baffles...1/4" thickness or maybe 5/16" if I can find it.
 
yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
Originally Posted by 2Quills
http:///forum/post/3285089
Local hardwares usually aren't going to have the thickness you are looking for. Other than an actual plastics shop or someone who manufactures things out of acrylic the only other place I've seen that would have it is Lowes...Home Depot might but they didn't when I was there. Otherwise gotta order online...IMO, glass would be the easiest and surest way to go with a glass sump as well as the cheapest. I only say this because I've just been through the same thing with building my sump and I started building it with the cheap acrylic but I've learned a few new things since then so I'm going to redo it with glass baffles...1/4" thickness or maybe 5/16" if I can find it.
I'll look anyway, as I'll be there for PVC anyway.
Any other methods? I'll probably use glass, but if there are other ways let me know.
Also, how should the baffles be put in?
Should water flow under one, the over the next, or vise versa?
How far apart should they be?
Do I need to have the glass cut a little small too?
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Originally Posted by yannifish
http:///forum/post/3285109
I'll look anyway, as I'll be there for PVC anyway.
Any other methods? I'll probably use glass, but if there are other ways let me know.
Also, how should the baffles be put in?
Should water flow under one, the over the next, or vise versa?
How far apart should they be?
Do I need to have the glass cut a little small too?
Melevsreef.com is a good informative site, that will give you alot of detailed information how the arrangement of the baffling should be and other fine pointers....Your glass does need to cut undersized a bit though....
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by yannifish
http:///forum/post/3284977
Thank you all very much!
One more question. In the event that I can't get any acrylic, what will be the next best thing as baffles?Beaslbob you mentioned plasic containers in the sump, how doesnthis work?
actually very nicely.

Will attach a schematic. the sump/pump in that schematic could just be placed in the refugium.
Actually I recommend you setup a test in your driveway with containers to simulate your tank and system. then play with it and test power out, power return, and drain failure (siphon break, blockage). that way you can have the "learning" floods in your driveway not the living room. (experience.
)
my .02Attachment 244312
 
yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
I don't have the abiliy to do that, but here's what I'm doing:
Watt drains from the overflow, and is split, some goes to the refugium, some to the sump. In the sump is the heater, skimmer, and return pump. The refugium drains into the pumping chamber.
That's the simple version.
Would a baffle be that necessary? I'll be using an auto top off system, and an octopus skimmer. Water level should stay within a 1/4 inch. However, I'll figure out some way to make baffles. I'd prefer not to use glass though. What elese can be used? Anything?
 
yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
Originally Posted by beaslbob
http:///forum/post/3285189
actually very nicely.

Will attach a schematic. the sump/pump in that schematic could just be placed in the refugium.
Actually I recommend you setup a test in your driveway with containers to simulate your tank and system. then play with it and test power out, power return, and drain failure (siphon break, blockage). that way you can have the "learning" floods in your driveway not the living room. (experience.
)
my .02Attachment 244312
Thank you.
I think I'm still going to use a glass tank, I don't want to risk the container breaking. I just need to figure out the baffles.
The driveway test is a good idea, I'll have to do that.
 
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