Custom built sump

So I bought a full set up from a guy on craigstlist only to find out that the sump does not fit under the tank


So now I am looking for a sump that will fit under a 55g stand. The biggest issue is that the width can only be 10.5 inches. Is there a sump that I can find that will fit under this, or can I possibly build something myself? I looked at some acrlyic prices online and they seem a little steep. But the only pre-built tank that will fit is a 10 g :

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

If you have a std. 55 gal, a 20L (30" x 12" x 12") SHOULD fit underneath it...is your 55 gal the std 48" x 13" x 21" dimensions? I know this because I ran this setup for several years, and the 20L fit perfectly (of course, you need to put it into the stand from behind).

Where are you hoping to place the sump?

If you're concerned about width only, and the floor of the stand is a bit narrow (as you've stated), get a piece of 12" wide 5/8" or 3/4" plywood and sit it in the stand first...that way it won't hang off the back part of the stand.

If you don't go that route, you can use a 18T (AKA 20XT)...it's like two 10 gals stacked on top of each other. Not a lot of footprint, but will hold more water.

HTH

 

Or, loos out of the box and find a suitable plastic container from a big box store/home improvement store.

You can find nearly any size container that will 'wedge' in to the spot.

Thats how I got my 50g rubbermaid 'roughneck' under my tank, had it for about a year, and now I have the same 50g sump plumbed to the basement.

You con't have to have a 'tank', or make one out of acyrylic

 

I fit a 30 gal Eshopps R-200 under my 55, but it required me rebuilding the back of the stand to fit

 

this might be a stupid question.......but did you put the sump in through the top of the stand before you put the tank on top or did you try to put it through the back or doors?

 

The sump went in through the back (no way to get it through the front). Obviously I did this when the tank was empty so I just moved the stand with empty tank on top. The back of the stand originally had one center brace that connected to a bottom rail (same as the one shown on top). I removed the bottom & center rails, put the sump in, made supports for the left & right of the sump, and added a small section of bottom rail at the other end of the stand.