building a sump

[cozmo911]

Can i use glass instead of something like plexiglass for builing a sump?Plexi more $$$
Also is there a type of Silicone sealant that i can buy at Home Depot,instead of the sealant that they sell at the pet store that is three times as much.

[tabwyo]

You can use glass but it's a pain to cut to size. I used just plain ol' clear silicone sealant from the hardware store for $2.50 a tube.

[wanareef]

You can even use a big rubber maid tub, an old glass tank or whatever holds water and doesn't leach chemicals.

[cozmo911]

The guy i get the glass from cuts it for me......thats thats ok
Any Silicone Sealant from the local hardware store ok then?

Also if i build baffles say one inch apart,i wont be able to seal the glass on both sides i guess.....with glass being heavy,might have a problem

[tabwyo]

I used scrap pvc as spacers for proping up my "under" baffles. When the silicone dried they came right out. I marked where I wanted my baffles and put in a bead of silicone first then slid the baffle into place through the sticky stuff. Leaves ugly streaks but I don't spend all day staring at my sump, just half the day.

[cozmo911]

Ok one more thing
How far apart should each pain of glass be for the baffle 1 inch ?
and the middle pain about 1-2 inches of the bottom....is that right?

[tabwyo]

depends on the amount of flow and the size of the sump.

[cozmo911]

90 gallon sump

with a mag18

[Doug1]

On the silicone make sure it has no anti fungal or mildew agents, a lot of silicone products say not to use for aquariums but thats a liability thing for the lawyers, silicone is silicone and will stick and hold, its the additives that make it unsuitable for aquarium use.

[shinbo]

HD also sells silicon for aquariums but I've only seen them in "tooth paste" presentation and not in the big tubes. Its about $3, half the price than at the pet store.

[tabwyo]

In truth the cheapest is usualy the best cause they don't add antifungals.

[cozmo911]

Ok thanks

What about the baffles
glass 1to 2 inches away from each other ok.....with the middle one 1 inch of the bottom....is that ok

Thanks for any help

[tabwyo]

I'd go a 1/2 inch off bottom and run your sump so the water level is barley over the flow over baffles this will help force the bubble out of the water.