Star Board Baffles?

[greenstarfish03]

I have a 100G rubbermaid sump that I need to add at least one baffle to it and I need a couple of ideas. I was thinking of using star board b/c its easy to cut, but I can't find it anywhere. They have it at home depot but its real thin and I would like a thicker piece. If anyone knows where I can buy this at or near Flint/Grand Blanc that would be great. Once I find it what is the nest way to seal it? Some type of pond foam? I'm sure I wont be able to cut it to the exact size.

Then I need to get the water out and into something else long enough to do this:)

Any pointers will help.

Thanks

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I've thought about this a bit as I'd like to have a rubbermaid sump eventually. Here are my thoughts...


Plywood that is sealed... not sure of the exact sealant but I know people make large tanks out of plywood. I think they use either a marine paint or epoxy?

Use a second smaller rubbermaid tote set inside the sump. Sump water would spill over all four edges and essentially function as baffles.

Glue several sheets of star board together to achieve the thickness you desire.


As for sealing a baffle I'd go with 100% silicone.

HTH,
Tom

[jolson10450]

I've thought about this a bit as I'd like to have a rubbermaid sump eventually. Here are my thoughts...


Plywood that is sealed... not sure of the exact sealant but I know people make large tanks out of plywood. I think they use either a marine paint or epoxy?

Use a second smaller rubbermaid tote set inside the sump. Sump water would spill over all four edges and essentially function as baffles.

Glue several sheets of star board together to achieve the thickness you desire.


As for sealing a baffle I'd go with 100% silicone.

HTH,
Tom

go find some pond liner to to seal in inside of the plywood tank. works a lot better.

[XSiVE]

go find some pond liner to to seal in inside of the plywood tank. works a lot better.

tell that to the successful epoxy-lined plywood tanks on RC ;)

put me in for a vote for epoxy-sealed plywood or the second rubbermaid inside of the big one.

[greenstarfish03]

I have a tote inside of the big rubbermaid that holds my DSB and fuge. That part is cool. I really just need one good baffel b/c I can't currently keep the water level constant for the skimmer. I have seen star board that is like 1/2 inch thick. If I can find that someplace its waterproof already so it seems like I could just cut it to fit and then like pond foam it in place? I'm not sure what pond foam is but I have heard other people reference it. To me the plywood is so rigid it would be hard to cut it to the right size the way the rubbermaids slope outward.

[XSiVE]

pond foam is basically black-colored "great stuff" that doesn't dissolve.. its very sturdy once it sets, you could easily use it to hold a piece of plywood or starboard in place.

[greenstarfish03]

That is what I think I need then. Any idea where I can pick that stuff up at? I don't think I've ever seen it in a store before that I know of.

It won't leach into the water and poison everything in my tank will it?:blackeye:

[XSiVE]

Im fairly sure this is what you're looking for, you can get it lots of places:

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3451087&CAWELAID=307588791

[greenstarfish03]

How about that I have an ACE harware in town:) That solves that now I just need to find thicker star board b/c HD only has like 1/8 inches pieces. I have seen 1/2 inch pieces in someones tank before. I also have to decide where to out all of the water thats in the some while I let this dry:):):) That is my biggest concern I think now:)

[tanglovers]

I ordered my full sheets of 3/8" starboard from Laird Plastics. I will be ordering 3 more sheets of it this winter for the next tank build.

[Sir Patrick]

I like the prices of us plastics-

http://usplastics.com/


But I ended up getting it local, through the knife sharpening guys at work. Maybe they are close, or deliver close?? Give them a call if ya like- And tell em Chris from creekside sent ya.

http://www.manta.com/c/mmfzgxj/binell-brothers-cutlery

[tanglovers]

I agree, I like US plastics but I went local to avoid the freight charges. If I recall correctly Laird has a location on the east side somewhere that stocks the starboard. The basically just added my sheets toa truck coming to Grand Rapids already.

[greenstarfish03]

What did the sheet run you? I'm having a hard time finding it on there website.

[tanglovers]

I think it cost me about $150 a sheet if I recall correctly. It is expensive but worked perfect for what I wanted.

[greenstarfish03]

DOH 115 for a piece of sign board:)

[Sir Patrick]

I paid $60 for a 36" x 18" peice from the local guy I linked for starboard (cutting board HDPE)

[greenstarfish03]

This is the stuff cutting boards are made of right? I was originally looking for the material that a real estate sign is made of but thicker. I seen someone w/ this stuff they said they got from a plastic company but I have no idea what its called. It worked pretty well and it can be cut w/ knife. Seems like I should be able to get something at home depot cheaper then the cutting board material but maybe not. My shape is a little irregular so I wanted something easy to cut, waterproof, and that I can seal in place w/ pond foam:)

[tanglovers]

Oh ok, yeah starboard is cutting board material. It cuts really well with a high tooth blade, I cut it both with my table saw and circular saw but would imagine a jig saw would do very well as well. It is pricey material though...

[greenstarfish03]

So why use it? I could use plexiglass or this mystery sign material I can't seem to find:)

[tanglovers]

For me, it was the look I was going for.

Here is a picture of my old tank install - the white panels hanging on the wall around the tank are all starboard.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/Basment001.jpg

[greenstarfish03]

Looked nice tanglover. I'm just looking to make baffles for my Rubbermaid sump though.

[greenstarfish03]

That may be overkill for my needs.