is plexiglass/lexan good for a sump?

Break out the ducktape !

Moderator: snoopdog

Post Reply
User avatar
DannieH42
Amoeba
Posts: 27
Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2004 3:37 pm
Location: Fairhope

is plexiglass/lexan good for a sump?

Post by DannieH42 »

I am thinking about building a sump for under my 125g. I am trying to go the economical route and was going to use rubbermaid containers, but I cannot find one the right size. The sump has to be less than 14.25" wide. I have read a lot of posts about using acrylic and how expensive it is. I know there are reasons you would want to use this for a tank, but are there any reasons not to use cheaper pexiglass or lexan for a sump?
User avatar
Bkndsdl
Amoeba
Posts: 167
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2005 12:52 pm
Location: Grand Bay, Alabama

Post by Bkndsdl »

I have a Tidepool sump I'll sell for $25............I just replaced it w/a sump refugium. It works great; has several slots for filters, carbon, etc. Even has a big biowheel....Here's a pic:

Image

Lemme know if you're interested.
-Mike
http://bkndsdl1.home.mchsi.com/
Why do we park in a driveway, and drive on a parkway?
There is NO SUCH THING as a hot water heater.
User avatar
Bkndsdl
Amoeba
Posts: 167
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2005 12:52 pm
Location: Grand Bay, Alabama

Post by Bkndsdl »

To answer your question, Plexiglass will get brittle and crack over time. Acrylic or Lexan won't.
-Mike
http://bkndsdl1.home.mchsi.com/
Why do we park in a driveway, and drive on a parkway?
There is NO SUCH THING as a hot water heater.
User avatar
lwready
Amoeba
Posts: 68
Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2005 3:22 pm
Location: West Mobile

Tidepool

Post by lwready »

Mike,

I gave myself a Tidepool for Christmas. (kicking myself now that I know the price of yours) Looking at your picture I'm trying to figure out how your skimmer is plumbed.

Currently I have my skimmer HOB and would like to place one in the sump instead.

Any suggestions.

Larry
Larry

All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you. Gandalf
User avatar
Bkndsdl
Amoeba
Posts: 167
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2005 12:52 pm
Location: Grand Bay, Alabama

Post by Bkndsdl »

Larry, my skimmer is just sitting in the sump; the pump is submersible.

What brand skimmer do you have? I had a BakPak look-alike on my 30g, and I had planned on setting it in the sump and getting a longer piece of hose to drop the pump to the bottom of the sump. It'll work, but it's a pain because it takes up so much room.

If you could raise the tidepool up, you might have enough room to hang your skimmer on the side of it.
Last edited by Bkndsdl on Thu Jan 05, 2006 8:52 am, edited 1 time in total.
-Mike
http://bkndsdl1.home.mchsi.com/
Why do we park in a driveway, and drive on a parkway?
There is NO SUCH THING as a hot water heater.
User avatar
DannieH42
Amoeba
Posts: 27
Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2004 3:37 pm
Location: Fairhope

yes I am interested

Post by DannieH42 »

call me @ 604-6573 and we will discuss the details.
User avatar
Scott
Goby
Posts: 2495
Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2003 9:00 pm
Are you a Bot ?: No
Location: West Mobile
Contact:

Post by Scott »

I think the cheaper plexi is extruded which will not work. You have to use cast acrylic.
Wanted: to set up a tank again.
Post Reply