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Advice? Anyone Make Custom Sized Tanks/Containers?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by rmclaughlin, May 28, 2016.

  1. May 28, 2016 #1
    rmclaughlin Atkins

    rmclaughlin

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    I am redoing my sump, and I'm looking for a custom sized ATO container. I'm looking for one that is the same length and height as my sump but only 4" wide. My idea is that it will slide in right behind my sump and everything will be neatly contained in the space I have available. It's not going to be very big...approximately 7 gallons based off my calculations. If you know someone that can make one, let me know. Thanks!
     
  2. May 28, 2016 #2
    jeremy Davenport, IA

    jeremy Acro Addict

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    Just do a gogle search. There are a bunch of custom acrylic businesses on the net.
    I know Mark at meleve's reef make them. And a bunch of others.
    If you have problems finding any let me know I will post some links here.
     
  3. May 28, 2016 #3
    rmclaughlin Atkins

    rmclaughlin

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    Thanks Jeremy. I've been looking a bit...just wasn't sure if there were any companies that anyone recommends.
     
  4. May 28, 2016 #4
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

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    something like that is pretty easy to DIY
     
  5. May 30, 2016 #5
    rmclaughlin Atkins

    rmclaughlin

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    Thanks. I'm somewhat hesitant to do DIY as the sump I have now was a DIY job from someone, and I've had to deal with two leaks now. Once was an internal leak between the ATO section and the rest of the sump, and now there's a leak on one of the outside seams. Luckily I was home to see a small puddle before all the water drained out.
     
  6. May 30, 2016 #6
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

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    Something that small can be made rock solid with 1/2 acrylic.

    What measurements are you looking at? I may have enough scrap acrylic & we could do a joint Wloo/CR event again & play with acrylic.

    @blackx-runner@blackx-runner
     
  7. May 30, 2016 #7
    rmclaughlin Atkins

    rmclaughlin

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    That would be awesome. So I just got the Emerald Trigger 26 sump that is 26" long, 13" wide, and 15" tall. Based on how much room I have left in my stand, I was looking for something that is 26" long, 15" high, and 4.5" wide. Something that size would slide in perfect behind the sump. With 1/2" acrylic, I think the storage space would be almost 5 gallons, which is about what I have now. I could extend the length up to probably 29" to increase the volume though.
     
  8. May 31, 2016 #8
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

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    I will have to see if I have any scrap acrylic around that size, if not see how much I can get some cut for. How do you want the holes?

    If you arent in a big hurry we can make it a meeting next month
     
  9. Jun 1, 2016 #9
    Oz Davenport

    Oz New User

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    Having done several of these projects, let me tell you what you are up against.


    First, 1/2 inch acrylic is massive overkill. 1/4 inch will be fine especially if you plan on baffles as they will add strength.

    Second, finding scrap beyond 24 inches is difficult. You can have this built exactly as you want but it will cost about $200+.

    Third, being square is critical. I use a table saw and route the edges. If you are not doing this, you stand the chance of a leak.

    Fourth, exactly how are you planning on moving water through this and back to your tank? I am not sure I understand that from the thread.

    Fifth, if you plan to put a lid on this, make it polycarbonate. Acrylic will warp toward the dry side if it is not welded to another edge and even then to a certain extent.

    All the good sumps use poly for lids.
     
  10. Jun 1, 2016 #10
    rmclaughlin Atkins

    rmclaughlin

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    Thank you Oz! I'm still a little hesitant about doing a DIY one as I've had bad experiences with the DIY one I had. I know there are some very knowledgeable people here though that could build a quality one. I'm using a Tunze 3155 that will pump the RODI water out of this container into my sump. A lid would be nice to help with reduce evaporation. I'll have to think about it more and see what my options are. Thanks again!
     
  11. Jun 2, 2016 #11
    Bud West Des Moines, IA

    Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

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    I think I missed this thread, but my answer is pretty much, everything that @Oz@Oz said :) except maybe the cost, which is not far off, (I would estimate $125, $150 for 3/8" walls and no baffle on the inside)

    I think 1/4" would do OK but it's going to bow at 26" long so my recommendation is to put in a small baffle (maybe 10-12" tall and 1" or so off the bottom - not bonded to the bottom = lets water pass) to take out that pressure on the corner seams, would make a huge difference.

    As for the lid, polycarbonate is good but PETG is what Royal Exclusiv uses and it will definitely not warp. But that stuff is really expensive. I bought a full sheet of it a while back, $350+ for 3/8", I was going to use it for a copycat build but it never panned out so I still have it sitting on a shelf...
     
  12. Jun 2, 2016 #12
    xroads La Porte City, IA

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    The reason I suggested 1/2 is he is worried and it would be bullet proof. I like to be safe and over build things if cost is not a consideration.

    Here I can get 1/2 scrap 25 lbs for $20 and plenty in those sizes.
     
  13. Jun 2, 2016 #13
    Bud West Des Moines, IA

    Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

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    Yeah I forget, you have Regal Plastics there that still sell out of the scrap bin. I'm with you on the thicker material, 1/2" woudl be great (even if it's extruded) and 3/8" cast would be pretty good too, but the 1/4" with a baffle in the middle would realistically be nearly as good. The material cost difference of the parts is really not the issue, it's the cost per sheet, so scrap is the way to go for a DIY build.

    Getting stuff square is the key in building. You get that done and the build will be that much stronger.
     

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