The ugliest sump ever made

So I hacked up my old 90 gallon acrylic tank to "recycle" the 1/2" material to build a sump for my system. Back panel had been painted black, old coraline algae dried inside of it, and deep scratches from being shoved around the garage anytime it was "in the way" over the last couple years. On top of all that most of it is still covered with a marine slime and traces of substrate.

I wouldn't normally post pictures of such an ugly build but I find it humorous that the sump I use will be a nasty frankenstien-ish piece of doo-doo. Don't get me wrong, it's precision built with solid joints...IT'S JUST UGLY!!

Will be taking the place of a standard glass tank with no baffles. Right now I only run an L2 scrubber but I'm wanting to add filter socks, heater holders and baffles.

Pics to come /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif

 

Ok...here are some pics. i must say, after I got this together and rounded the edges over and wiped it down real good it really looked amazing. Not bad for starting with a scrap pile!!


Here is a picture of the rough cut pcs I had to start with...and when I say rough cut I mean ROUGH. I had hacked this tank apart with a circular saw and there wasn't a straight edge to be found.



The first side panel going in place. Coralline algae on the inside and scratched paint on the outside....it all just adds charm yes??
You might notice the front panel is a new pc that still has the paper on it. I had just enough left from building the display tank that I could at least have a clear view through one side


Both side panels solvent welded...drink a beer and wait.



Bonding the back in place:



Bottom and baffles complete. Rounded over all corners as well as inner and outer edge of rim.



A closer rim shot...look at all those scratches in the bottom HAHA



My plan here was to make a sock holder and heater holder...boneheaded error though, the positioning of this bracket would hold the heater too high. They needed to be lined up with the lower baffle of course. Doesn't bother me much however...I haven't been running a heater. She holds a steady 75 during winter months.



Out with the old and in with the "new"



Here's an overall shot sitting in place in operation. I build the scrubber tray so it is supported by the taller baffle and the left side panel. It's locked in place by it's position against the right side of the bracket and the emergency drain that passes through it. Water level is now constantly 1" below the scrubber /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/hehe.gif

 

It was an accident I swear!!