The quest for a new sump/refugium continues

I'm still trying to come up with a new sump idea and I've pondered the thoughts of a rubbermaid container, but I can't find the right one to fit my 90 gallon stand.

I know alot of people use fish tanks as sumps, and was wondering if anybody knows from expirience if a 29 or 30 gallon tank fit into a 90 gallon stand 48 x 18. The catch is I have to put through the doors and not through the top because the tank is already setup.

Thanks
Sean

 

It is a little expensive, but you can always have one made at a local plastics shop. The nice thing about doing this is you can build a mockup out of cardboard or something first to get the right size to fit into your tank opening so there are no suprises. Addtionally, since you're custom making it, you can build in baffles to help lower the amount of bubble output back to the tank and make sure you have room for your protein skimmer, pump etc. Lastly, since you'll make it out of plexi, you have the option at a later time of going with an external pump, something a glass tank will not allow you to do.

How much will it cost? It depends on the plexi used and the people making it.

The one other thing you could do to save costs is build it yourself out of plexi. Find a supplier, get it cut to the dimensions that your cardboard model gave you and put it together yourself. Plexi cement is easy to work with and you could always put a bead of silicon along the seams for extra peace of mind.

Darren

 

I did the plexi build like Darren is talking about in my old 40. It wasn't pretty (I cut them myself) but it worked well and was easy to build and the sheets of plexi were cheap. That may be your only option unless you are willing to drain the tank a lot to pull it out from the wall and get a 30 gallon tank in from behind.

 

I cut a hole in the right side of my 80 gallon tank stand and slid the 29 gallon long in through the opening. My HOB skimmer is outside the stand. Not perfect but it did work.

 

Thanks All, cutting the stand or draining the tank is not an option so I guess the search goes on.

I looked at HD for acrylic or Lexon and everything they had seemed way too thin, does any homecenter carry thicker stuff I guess 1/4 inch would be sufficient right?

 

If you baffle the sump, that will strengthen it and act as a brace. I think I used 1/8 plexi on my little 10 gallon sump. I'd think 1/4 would be fine.

 

Agreed!

 

Have you looked at the rubbermaid rough neck containers at target. They have 20,30,40 and 50g containers. Also look at Sterilite brand of containers also carried by target. You can also use an Igloo or Coleman Ice cooler. A 30g long tank should fit under your tank. 30g is 36" long 12 or 13" deep and 16" tall. For the Rubber maid containers get one that has a #4 or #5 recycle # on it. #5 is polypropylene and #4 is high density polyethylene.

 

If your unsure if a certain size tank will fit under your stand, make up a mock refuge with cardboard!

 

I've looked for containers at target and wherever they sell rubbermaid items and I can't find one that has the length I want, but is narrow enough to fit in my stand. My 90 gallon stand is 18" wide and every container I find is wider then that. Anything that will fit are only 10g or smaller containers and that's where I'm at right now with my existing sump. Ideally I need a container that is 30" or 36" x 15" x 15".