I am building a sump for my new 175 Oceanic Bowfront. It is a new stand design that gives me room for a large sump/refugium down below. It is trapezoid in shape to maximize the area. I am building it with the largest dimensions that I can and still removable from the front. I is around 60 gal, measures 43 1/2" length, one end is 15 1/2", the other 22" and 18" tall. I am using 3/8 plexiglas G.
I am about ready to start gluing, and found this great thread, thanks guys! The first joint will be attaching the back (cut to fit inside the ends) to the bottom. The second glue operation will be two joints, one to the bottom and one to the back after it has set. It looks like the pin spacing method will work as described in this thread for the bottom joint, but how about the joint up the back? The shim method won't work here, and it does not have the weight of acrylic for clamping pressure. Would you recommend using bar clamps?
Also, any thoughts on the design? I have not finalized how much space will be dedicated to sump and how much is refugium, but I will likely end up with internal dividers that would add bracing. Do you think it might be necessary to add an inside lip at the top for bracing?
Thanks,
Rick