Sump Baffle Question

dward0487 · 07/13/2014, 03:59 PM

So, I recently installed the sump section into my glass AIO tank, and running a bead along the acrylic baffle edges was tough because of the tight space I was working in. Using painter's tape in these 1.5" gaps was pretty much impossible, so they look pretty messy... I'm waiting for the adhesive to cure, and then I will leak-test it. Hopefully everything will be good to go. Here's my question:

If I DO have any small leaks in the baffles, will these really matter? My sump setup consists of two "under-over-under" baffle sets, so I have 2 baffles that will be regulating the water level in the sump sections. I'm assuming that small leaks are acceptable, since the flow through the sump should be far greater than the rate of any leaks, which would keep the water level steady while the return pump is running. Is that correct? I'd like a few opinions on this. Thanks!

planedoc · 07/13/2014, 04:04 PM

You are correct, it really does not matter. One thing with acrylic, glass, and silicone is silicone does not bond to acrylic very good. It's best to run a good sized bead on the glass that will prevent the acrylic from moving. It bonds a little but a seam only seal will most likely fail. The bead bonded to the glass will prevent the acrylic baffle from moving

dward0487 · 07/13/2014, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by planedoc

One thing with acrylic, glass, and silicone is silicone does not bond to acrylic very good.

Thanks for the quick reply! Actually, since I knew that silicone doesn't work all that well for acrylic, I used an adhesive called E6100 that is supposed to work well for bonding acrylic and glass. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough room to run a bead along the actual edge of the acrylic baffles before installing them due to the tight clearance, so I ran beads down the sides and "pushed" them into the gap as best I could. The baffles definitely won't be moving, but I'm not sure how good the coverage is on those seams... I hope it all works out!

ca1ore · 07/13/2014, 08:41 PM

Since the baffles don't have to be completely water tight, they just have to not fall over, I have found it acceptable to use even silicone sealant for the job. The bigger problem, is making sure you cut the acrylic baffles slightly short because they will expand. Cracked a sump this way.

dward0487 · 07/14/2014, 04:11 PM

Yeah, I used toothpicks to keep a gap between the baffles and the glass when I was installing them. Hopefully that's enough room.

planedoc · 07/14/2014, 04:25 PM

Sounds like ad job well done

07/13/2014, 03:59 PM	#1
dward0487 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 38	Sump Baffle Question So, I recently installed the sump section into my glass AIO tank, and running a bead along the acrylic baffle edges was tough because of the tight space I was working in. Using painter's tape in these 1.5" gaps was pretty much impossible, so they look pretty messy... I'm waiting for the adhesive to cure, and then I will leak-test it. Hopefully everything will be good to go. Here's my question: If I DO have any small leaks in the baffles, will these really matter? My sump setup consists of two "under-over-under" baffle sets, so I have 2 baffles that will be regulating the water level in the sump sections. I'm assuming that small leaks are acceptable, since the flow through the sump should be far greater than the rate of any leaks, which would keep the water level steady while the return pump is running. Is that correct? I'd like a few opinions on this. Thanks!

07/13/2014, 08:41 PM	#4
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Since the baffles don't have to be completely water tight, they just have to not fall over, I have found it acceptable to use even silicone sealant for the job. The bigger problem, is making sure you cut the acrylic baffles slightly short because they will expand. Cracked a sump this way. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

07/13/2014, 04:04 PM	#2
planedoc Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 535	You are correct, it really does not matter. One thing with acrylic, glass, and silicone is silicone does not bond to acrylic very good. It's best to run a good sized bead on the glass that will prevent the acrylic from moving. It bonds a little but a seam only seal will most likely fail. The bead bonded to the glass will prevent the acrylic baffle from moving

07/14/2014, 04:11 PM	#5
dward0487 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 38	Yeah, I used toothpicks to keep a gap between the baffles and the glass when I was installing them. Hopefully that's enough room.

07/14/2014, 04:25 PM	#6
planedoc Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 535	Sounds like ad job well done