Sump chips

[Caseyoidae]

Hey MR,

I recently purchased a stand and the gentleman was nice enough to throw in a sump that has some chips missing from shipping damage. They’re not very deep and only on one corner. I think I can use the sump if I reinforce it? I took a couple pictures of the chips and used a chunk of foam to show how I was thinking of laying the glass in there. I think the first foam pic is the way to go. Couple other questions. Do I just seal around the edges of the reinforcement glass or do it stick it in there like a piece of tile and silicone it like crazy? Do the pieces of glass need to be the exact full length of that section or slightly shorter to allow for silicone joint? How thick should the glass be? I don’t think I really need to reinforce but I’d feel better that way. Thanks!!

 

[Timfish]

Since they are along the bottom edge where the most strain is I'd silicone a piece of glass on the inside. It doesn't need to go the whole length of the tank and only needs to be a few inches wide and not any thicker than the tank glass. I'd be inclined to also smear some silicon on the outside over the chips as well.

 

[Caseyoidae]

Thank you! I will do that. I decided I’d fill her up in the garage for a few weeks. If it holds I’ll re-silicone the chips like you suggested and install some bracing. Just 100% clear silicone around the edges of the bracing right?

 

[Timfish]

Yes but make sure you completely cover the side of the braceing piece that goes against the glass side so you get good adhesion and saltwater and algae don't get in between the two.