80g sump!

I have a question for you about the materials. In my area I have 2 glass
places that will sell me materials. Here is what I am wondering. What
exactly am I asking for here? Everyone says not plexi. because it yellows
and breaks down overtime. OK, well according to the people I talk to Plexi
is acrylite just manufactured by a different company. They can get me
Plexi, Acrylite, and acrylic. Apparently they say they are all the same
just manufactured by different companies. There is a 4th product i learned
of today. It is an acrylic product made from a "generic composite" they
say. Cost is about 1/3 the price of the others. Also is $64 for a 4X8
sheet of 1/8 a good price (i know we are not in the same area : ohio here).
I am looking to build an overflow and maybe a sump or two for my systems.

Thanks
Matt

"Marc Levenson" wrote in message
...
Thanks guys! It was a difficult one to build, because of its size.

It cost about $130 for 1/4" acrylic (more than one sheet, but less than
two
sheets), plus 8.25% sales tax.

Wednesday: I drew up the design at my desk (paper and ruler.... no
computer
stuff for me! hehehe), and then another paper to figure out how many
pieces I
could get from a 4' x 8' sheet. Once I had that figured out, I called up
Regal
Plastics and placed my order. I like to get them to cut it down to bite
sized
pieces for me, which are easier to load in my vehicle and work with at the
house.

Thursday: I picked up the material and started assembly, but I used a new
method of gluing (for me anyway) and it took longer than I was used to.

Friday: Filled it up with water to test it for leaks and to look for
potential
trouble spots - too much expansion in an area could indicate failure later
on.
Left it full of water for 12 hours or longer. Saw the refugium section
bowing
too much, and that evening I drained it and left it to dry out.

Saturday: I struggled mentally how I would brace the refugium without
making it
unsightly, plus it needed to be easy to clean with a magnet. Finally I
decided
to add a horizontal brace across the inner front face and a cross brace at
the
center of that section. Added another horizontal brace across the
refugium wall
(with the teeth) as well, and let it cure overnight. Built a far easier
sump
that same evening. Pictures to follow soon.smile

Sunday: Filled it up with water again, and verified that my solutions
worked,
and took a dozen pictures. Danny picked it up a couple of hours later,
and was
very happy. Here's a quote from the club message board that he posted:
"I want
to thank Marc for helping me on this fuge. He did an outstanding job
designing
it and making it. All I can say is this fuge rocks. If you need a fuge and
dont
have the tools to make one I would recommend him over any of the big
manufacturers that mass produce fuges. Not only is he cheaper but he will
build
to spec. High quality all away around. He is easy to talk to, and very
helpful."

I'm glad he's happy!

Marc


david wrote:

spill it Marc how long did it take to plan and build. that looks like
you
SHOULD give up the day job
how soon before we can order them here it the uk


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