JasonH Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 Okay, I bought a sump ages ago from a fellow reefer here. It's a great sump, but I think it's too tall (scratch). It's about 20 1/2 inches tall, so it's pretty tall under a stand. I'm not sure if it was a custom made sump or a converted tank. My question is, can I cut it down a few inches, or will that cause structural issues? It has a rim around the top like a typical acrylic tank. The sides are 1/2" thick, so I would think it would be strong enough without the top, but I don't know. There is about 6" between the top of the refugium section and top of the sump. Here are some pics. I was thinking of cutting it down ~4", to still give a couple inches above the refugium, but make it easier to work in the sump under the stand. I know that space is important in case of power outage and water draining from the tank, but I think there is still plenty of space in the sump section. I appreciate any input. And, if cutting it is a good idea, how to go about it. I have a pretty decent selection of tools to chose from; table saw, router, circular saw? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold B Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 1/2" thick, I don't see a problem with that. There are calculators on acrylic thicknesses for tanks. Good luck. Thanks Harold 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnkrcklives Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 It would be kinda a feat. But I think if you were carefull you could take a section out and use weld on to put the bracing back on top. It would require more cutting/grinding but I think it could be done. Good luck... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonH Posted February 13, 2011 Author Share Posted February 13, 2011 I did think of that, but might be beyond my skill set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnkrcklives Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 If I was to attempt it I would cut it with a die grinder or a jigs saw probably a combination of both. Couldn't be any harder than chopping a car. Except the welding part HaHaHa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fpd4308 Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Lay it on a table saw with a fence. That way you get the same exact cuts on all sides. Or call Dave at Davy Jones Locker. He Cuts tanks and sumps quite a bit and can do It for ya. Doug 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnkrcklives Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 That is totally a good idea. I would have done it in the hard way. And I own a table saw and did not think of it... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonH Posted February 13, 2011 Author Share Posted February 13, 2011 Okay, here goes nothin'... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saltfinsax Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 What Doug is saying is about the best way. As a carpenter I cut boxes like that. Use the correct blade and set just at the hight for the thickness. Cut the top off as close to the brace top as you can then cut the 4" and glue the top back down. I would talk with someone that has cut Plexiglas before you do it. I just do wood. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saltfinsax Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 O man a couple min. to late. GL and let us know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonH Posted February 13, 2011 Author Share Posted February 13, 2011 Do I need to worry about getting the top back on, or would it be okay rimless? With 1/2" thick acrylic, seems like it would be okay rimless? I could try to save the top, but it might be easier just to get a new sheet of 1/4" and route out a new top, if needed. Thanks for all the advice, I really appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saltfinsax Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 You may as well try, you allready have the top after you cut it off. But I would think it would as your not filling it all up with water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGooseWhisperer Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 couldn't you flip the top over and have a clean surface to work with? or maybe thats what you were already thinking... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barelycuda Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 I wouldn't try to re-use the top. With the dividers in it already it will be pretty strong. I would cut it down the 4" and fill it with water. If it bows more than you want get a piece of 1/4" and put another top on it. I think you will have a headache if you try to use the top again if it is necessary. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonH Posted February 13, 2011 Author Share Posted February 13, 2011 Well, it went pretty well. There is one spot where I clearly wobbled the sump as it went through the saw and ended up with a less-than-straight cut, but it's a very small section. And I think the 1/2" sides are plenty thick to keep from bowing. Check it out. Getting ready for the first cut: Second cut, the side: And the top off: Hopefully, soon I can show a picture of the sump plumed into the tank. Thanks for all the advice - couldn't have done it without you guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold B Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Nice job. I wouldn't worry about the top, it's more than thick enough and like barleycuda said you also have divider support. You can take a propane or map gas torch and lightly hit the top where the blade cut and made its blade marks to make them disappear and be smooth as glass, bad choice of words, acrylic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef165 Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Be carefull with the torch, acrylic will catch fire, and burns quite fast, better to just run some sand paper to get the sharp edges and call it good. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherguy30 Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Off subject, but nice table saw buddy! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trautman Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 you can always get some acrylic rod and glue it in for support. his can also be dome if it is already set up. so no worries i think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 If needed can't you just clean the newly cut edges and add a brace across the top if you are worried about bowing? It wouldn't need to be big just an inch or two. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwenReefin Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 That sump is awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonH Posted February 15, 2011 Author Share Posted February 15, 2011 Thanks again everyone for your input. The sump is now installed and running. I'll get a picture posted soon. It's a huge sump, I think it took about 40 gal to fill. There is no detectible bowing - without top or brace. Unfortunately, I didn't think to sand down the cut edges until I already had it set up. But it's okay, it's not too sharp/rough. There is a ton more room now that the sump is 4" shorter. Thanks, Pantherguy. I know you're a woodworker; I remember the gorgeous stand you built. I'm a very, very novice woodworker, but I'm learning. I really like the sump design. Since the refugium runs the full length of the sump and it's separate from the other chambers, I can have a different rate of flow for the refugium and sump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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