Sump/refugium

[Og Drogon]

Thanks to -Rkaragozler- for helping me last year with baffle size and layout on my 30g sump. Since then I've done a few with the same layout that have come out working flawlessly BUT: the corking looks like trash :-/

for the life of me when it comes to the corking I can't make it look nice. :-/ there must be a trick cause how can you cork smooth between the bubble trap baffle??
And I've worked with corking in kitchen,windows, and baths but I just can't get it to look good in a tank.

Anybody know the trick to it?????

 

[rkaragozler]

their is two ways. 1st due 1 baffle a day, or

 

[kenconnect]

You can use maskin tape. Just tape up close to the edges where u will be using the corking. Then after it's all dry just pull off the tape. It will give u a clean and finish look.

 

[thirty5]

When I caulked my sump, I did one a day. The hardest part was to smooth the caulking between the baffles where my hand could not get in between the baffles.

Remember a little spit on your finger makes a nice smooth caulk.

 

[ohana888]

like richie said, do 1 baffle at a a time. he also designed & cut my baffles for me. what i did was turn the tank vertical. i used a 9" empty box and placed the first baffle on top - ensuring it was square & level. after that cured for 1 day, i used cd/dvd cases (1") placed on top of the first baffle & then placed the 2nd baffle on top. i used a small makeup case (1") to raise it from bottom.
same with 3rd baffle. the last baffle i turned the tank 180, and placed a smaller shoe box for the return section. fully cured in 2 days.

 

[rkaragozler]

like richie said, do 1 baffle at a a time. he also designed & cut my baffles for me. what i did was turn the tank vertical. i used a 9" empty box and placed the first baffle on top - ensuring it was square & level. after that cured for 1 day, i used cd/dvd cases (1") placed on top of the first baffle & then placed the 2nd baffle on top. i used a small makeup case (1") to raise it from bottom.
same with 3rd baffle. the last baffle i turned the tank 180, and placed a smaller shoe box for the return section. fully cured in 2 days.

Looks real good, buddy.

 

[rkaragozler]

okay the trick in getting the perfect seam.
when using a chaulking gun, never cut the tip more than 1/8",
apply just enough so it takes up about 1/4" on the seams.
then with a 1" round ball start at the bottom and work your way up.
to do in between baffles use a 1/4" hose and apply the silicone.
and follow that with a 1/2" ball.

 

[Imbarrie]

I always mask with tape but I remove it before the silicone is dry or it will pull at the edges and the silicone seal will be compromised.

 

[rkaragozler]

I tried masking many times, and I could never get the knack for it.

 

[Og Drogon]

Sounds like two good ways to do it. But now I notice that the 30g I bought for a sump don't fit in the stand :-(
Anybody here have the deep blue stand 2 ? And what sump are you using?

 

[slytsi]

I wish I could help you answer that. I had the same question and never heard back from deep blue so I decided to build my own stand to make sure the 30gal sump would fit.

 

[Og Drogon]

I wish I could help you answer that. I had the same question and never heard back from deep blue so I decided to build my own stand to make sure the 30gal sump would fit.

Thanks,but there's a person on here who has the same stand and somehow fitted a 20g long under it.
I'm hoping to find a way to do a sump with a refugium. If not I'm going to have to go with a metal stand and wrap it with wood :-/

 

[slytsi]

I just heard back from Deep Blue support. I do not know if this information helps you, but I will post it here to potentially help someone else down the line.

"[FONT=&quot]Thank you for contacting Deep Blue Professional. Our 48x24 cabinets have a right side door in addition to the two located on the front. Maximum clearance inside the cabinet is approximately 25 inches. The top panel is also removable via camp lock assembly. Hope this helps."


[/FONT]

 

[Og Drogon]

I just heard back from Deep Blue support. I do not know if this information helps you, but I will post it here to potentially help someone else down the line.

"[FONT=&quot]Thank you for contacting Deep Blue Professional. Our 48x24 cabinets have a right side door in addition to the two located on the front. Maximum clearance inside the cabinet is approximately 25 inches. The top panel is also removable via camp lock assembly. Hope this helps."


[/FONT]

+1
I removed the top yesterday with my cuz, so now I'm able to fit a nice size sump thanks for the info ....... It should help lots of people.

 

[d5332]

Reviving an old thread...where do you buy glass with sanded edges to prevent cuts when working in the sump? regular glass store?

 

[Og Drogon]

Reviving an old thread...where do you buy glass with sanded edges to prevent cuts when working in the sump? regular glass store?

I got mine done in Brooklyn, SAMs Glazers. Meryl ave & Wilson ave.
He does the corners also.

 

[peteyboyny]

when you run your finger down the caulk line to smooth it, try dipping your finger in rubbing alcohol. keeps it from sticking and getting everywhere.