I find myself in need of a new sump/refugium. I am thinking of making one using acrylic. I have seen on the web recommendations to use 1/4" and 3/8" thick plexiglass. The largest open span between joints for walls, baffles and floor will be 15" wide X 16.5" tall. The water level will be 13" during operation with the possibility of 16" should the pump quit and the tank drain down. There are local places (Ocean Springs, Biloxi, and Gulfport, MS.) to purchase plexiglass but the price appears to be all over the board. I will need for my current planned configuration just under a full 4' X 8' sheet.
Is 1/4" thick enough to prevent warping?
What solvents have you used?
Who are the cheeper places locally or online to purchase Plexiglass?
Does having it pre-cut by the supplier add much to the cost?
Thanks in advance for the help.
Plexiglass sump/refugium
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Doug
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I just came from a local plexiglass supplier. I was told by him that a couple other people who had bought his plexiglass to make sumps complained that within 3 weeks the saltwater had melted (his words) the surface turning it white. I have never heard ot this. Has anyone else? I would think that it is some sort of build up on the surface from the saltwater not a reaction between the plexiglass and the saltwater.
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Archie
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sorry for late reply been kinda of busy.
1. i would personally use 3/8 over 1/4 to prevent warping.
2. i use weldon no3. has to be used with an applicator(type of syringe)
you do not have to use weldon no 16 unless your cuts are larger than 1/16
of an inch.
3. i purchase mine online at either ridout plastics or us plastics
4. acyrlic is cut very easily with a carbide tipped(about 36 teeth) blade used
in a table or radial arm saw.
5. you want to use acrylic not plastic.
1. i would personally use 3/8 over 1/4 to prevent warping.
2. i use weldon no3. has to be used with an applicator(type of syringe)
you do not have to use weldon no 16 unless your cuts are larger than 1/16
of an inch.
3. i purchase mine online at either ridout plastics or us plastics
4. acyrlic is cut very easily with a carbide tipped(about 36 teeth) blade used
in a table or radial arm saw.
5. you want to use acrylic not plastic.
