Local glass shops

[BlueDevil]

Does anyone know of any local glass shops, where I can buy 1/4" glass and have them cut to size. I need it to make some baffles in my DIY sump project.

 

[cbc4447]

Lowes or Home Depot

 

[BlueDevil]

Lowes or Home Depot

They don't carry 1/4" glass as far as I am aware.

 

[cbc4447]

If not I'm sure they have 1/4 acrylic. That's what I used for my homemade sump. Worked great. Now I use a Trigger Systems Emerald39 1000% better than anything homemade.

 

[BlueDevil]

The acrylic to glass bond (using silicone) is not the best which is why I want glass. This tank isn't meant to be my main DT so I can't justify spending a whole lot on a fancy sump. I just want something that will be functional.

 

[cbc4447]

Right on brother, sorry I couldn't offer some better help.

 

[jmann124]

Is there a reason the baffles can't be less than ¼"?

 

[BlueDevil]

The pressure that the water will create made me want thicker glass that wouldn't potentially break. The big box stores only carry 1/8" glass I believe.

 

[jmann124]

I made a sump out of a 20 long a few years ago and I used something like 3/32" glass. I didn't have a problem. If you're not comfortable with it, I wouldn't recommend it. It's not worth the worry you'll have.

 

[BlueDevil]

I made a sump out of a 20 long a few years ago and I used something like 3/32" glass. I didn't have a problem. If you're not comfortable with it, I wouldn't recommend it. It's not worth the worry you'll have.

This will be my fist DIY project so I'd rather play it safe if possible. Now if I can't find 1/4" glass, I might not have an option :/

 

[cee]

You can bond acrylic quite effectively with a type of silicone HD carries. That is what i did with mine and it has been fine for over a year.

 

[BlueDevil]

You can bond acrylic quite effectively with a type of silicone HD carries. That is what i did with mine and it has been fine for over a year.

Was it a specific type of silicone you got? Any concerns with the acrylic expanding and putting pressure on the sump glass panels? That is another concern I read, where the glass was being compromised by the expansion of the acrylic baffles. I guess cutting a little shy of a snug fit would allow room for the expansion?

Any pointers or do's/dont's that you can give me if I go the acrylic route?

 

[Reefrookie220]

Yash, I over worried my first sump build too lol, I'd go the acrylic route personally it's easier to work with and cheaper if you break it lol


On the glass note, check Craigslist for an old window or door, then Lowe's or HD will cut to your specs for next to nothing.

 

[cee]

Expansion at 100% humidity is only about 0.3%, or about 1/32" per foot. Just cut a little short and you'll be fine. I didn't do anything too specific.

 

[BlueDevil]

Thanks guys! Acrylic will by far be easier to fab and that put together with the issue of first finding the glass and then cutting it to specs, I think I will give acrylic a shot first. Its not like if the baffle separates that I will be left with a flood as the water will just move around in the sump.

 

[Reefrookie220]

@parroki has a bunch of acrylic he's trying to get out of his way, saves from buying a while sheet. Give him a shout.

I tried to find the threads and couldn't (didn't try super hard) that used some weatherstripping to put the baffles in place and they remained adjustable, was a cool idea and it worked well, just can find the thread lol.

 

[BlueDevil]

Thanks Waylon! I'll reach out to @parroki to see what' available. I did see some weatherstripping info. but didn't pay a whole lot of attention as I had other concerns with acrylic at the time. But I will check that out again tonight.

 

[cee]

I have the silicone at home but no way to get you that info ATM.

 

[inetjnky]

Your local ace hardware store should have what you are looking for. They have single and double strength glass. Cheap too.

 

[Jeeper]

If you don't find anything I have a 10 gal (I think) with a crack in one of the corners you can have. I was going to use it for redoing my sump (I bought an eshopps instead). I am pretty sure the glass is 1/4 thick.