looking for an acrylic sump...

nikonosis · #1 01/10/2006, 10:13 PM

Is anyone selling any 50-60 gallon acrylic sumps? I am looking for something like this http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/sumps/58/58sump.html
If I can't find any I guess I will just try and build my own, not looking to spend alot on it.

Does anyone know any places around jax that sell 4'x8' sheets of acrylic?

chiapet · #2 01/10/2006, 10:49 PM

Check out Farco Plastics in an industrial park off of Phillips Highway.

They will cut to spec for you as well.

nikonosis · #3 01/11/2006, 07:37 AM

ok thanks, i will do that!

pjhaddock · #4 01/11/2006, 08:30 AM

If you dont have the resources to make one I can help you out. Here is a pic of the sump I built for my 75G out of 1/4" acrylite from Farco Plastics. Its ~40G

SSweet1 · #5 01/11/2006, 08:34 AM

Mike just built me a very nice custom one for my big tank. He is Mpdharley on here. Carrie

nikonosis · #6 01/11/2006, 08:50 AM

thanks for all the info, i really appreciate it!

nikonosis · #7 01/11/2006, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pjhaddock
If you dont have the resources to make one I can help you out. Here is a pic of the sump I built for my 75G out of 1/4" acrylite from Farco Plastics. Its ~40G

How much did it cost you to build that? Im looking to build (or get someone to build it for me) something a little bigger, like 48 x 18 x 20 or something around that size. Trying to get an idea of price.

nikonosis · #8 01/11/2006, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SSweet1
Mike just built me a very nice custom one for my big tank. He is Mpdharley on here. Carrie

Do you have any pictures of the sump he built you?

pjhaddock · #9 01/11/2006, 08:58 AM

It took about a whole sheet, which at the time was ~$90 if I remember right. Mine is 42x16x16.

SSweet1 · #10 01/11/2006, 10:07 AM

I have to get Philip to do my pictures on here

It looks alot like his picture except has teeth on the final baffle and drilled on one end. I noticed your from O.P. and that is near Mike he is in Fleming Island. Philip lives SS/Arl. both cost around $100 so that is why I mentioned Mike. Carrie

nikonosis · #11 01/11/2006, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SSweet1
I have to get Philip to do my pictures on here It looks alot like his picture except has teeth on the final baffle and drilled on one end. I noticed your from O.P. and that is near Mike he is in Fleming Island. Philip lives SS/Arl. both cost around $100 so that is why I mentioned Mike. Carrie

So mike built yours for around $100? What size is it?

nikonosis · #12 01/11/2006, 11:34 AM

is everyone sump 1/4" cellcast?

mpdharley · #13 01/11/2006, 12:28 PM

For most everything I've done so far I've used 1/4" cell cast. However, most of the sumps have been under 30" long. I haven't done enough sumps (of various sizes and shapes) to be able to say that for x size sump you should use 1/4", 1/2", etc.

I have seen one calculator out there that for two of the sumps I've built said I should have used 1/2". I used 1/4" and I think it will be fine. I am also currently trying to find out from those that have worked with acrylic much longer than I have what their general rule of thumb is for thickness and whether or not to add euro bracing.

pjhaddock · #14 01/11/2006, 01:05 PM

Carrie, send me a pic of it if you want and I will host it for ya. pjhaddock@bellsouth.net

I am actually on the westside, off Ricker Road near Argyle.

nikonosis · #15 01/11/2006, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mpdharley
For most everything I've done so far I've used 1/4" cell cast. However, most of the sumps have been under 30" long. I haven't done enough sumps (of various sizes and shapes) to be able to say that for x size sump you should use 1/4", 1/2", etc.

I have seen one calculator out there that for two of the sumps I've built said I should have used 1/2". I used 1/4" and I think it will be fine. I am also currently trying to find out from those that have worked with acrylic much longer than I have what their general rule of thumb is for thickness and whether or not to add euro bracing.

Have you seen all the sumps Marc has built? From looking at his site is what has made me want to do an acrylic sump. He builds some nice stuff.

http://melevsreef.com/links.html

reefkeeps · #16 01/11/2006, 01:41 PM

pjhaddock & or mpdharley,

Would you guys be willing to describe, maybe even demo the making of a sump in the Feb meeting? The would very kewl! I need one anyway I would buy the parts and I think I have the tools.

nikonosis · #17 01/11/2006, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by reefkeeps
pjhaddock & or mpdharley,

Would you guys be willing to describe, maybe even demo the making of a sump in the Feb meeting? The would very kewl! I need one anyway I would buy the parts and I think I have the tools.

this is all the tools you need!

http://www.melevsreef.com/tools.html

mpdharley · #18 01/11/2006, 01:47 PM

Been trying to put something together, just haven't had the time. I'll shoot for Feb's meeting though.

pjhaddock · #19 01/11/2006, 02:13 PM

I'll work with ya Mike and see what we can do... Would be best to have the meeting at a house for sure, cause it makes one heck of a mess!!! Where is the meeting planned for Feb? I am going to miss this month at Bio, going to be moving someone to Texas.. fun fun!

nikonosis · #20 01/11/2006, 02:30 PM

mpdharley, anyway you can could give me a price on how much it would cost to build me a sump that is 48"x 16"x 20", just like pjhaddock's with the intake/skimmer section 13"x 20", refuge section 24"x 20" and return area 9"x 20".

mpdharley · #21 01/11/2006, 02:39 PM

I'll take a look at this tonight and try to get you some info tonight or tomorrow morning(ish)

nikonosis · #22 01/11/2006, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mpdharley
I'll take a look at this tonight and try to get you some info tonight or tomorrow morning(ish)

Sounds good!

nikonosis · #23 01/11/2006, 04:43 PM

Here is a side view, I decided I rather have the sump be 18" tall instead of 16". Making the sump 48"x 18"x 20"

reefkeeps · #24 01/11/2006, 05:27 PM

I think I want two half that size that connect to each other, that way I can get it under the tank.

pjhaddock · #25 01/11/2006, 05:40 PM

I hope what you mean by "return" is where the water is returning from the tank. Usually a return in a sump is where the pump goes to pump back to the tank. If not, then your drawing is all backwards and the "return" is too small.. the way I see your drawing in order to work, is water overflows from the tank to the left compartment (no skimmer????), the bubble trap eliminates the bubbles, flows through the refugium, and lastly into the return on the right where the pump is to pump back up to the display... left to right flow all the way.. is this correct?????