Do I need a new stand, or skimmer, please help?

[Hoopz87]

Hey guys, so I'm setting up a 93 cube, and I haven't put water in it yet, it's in place with the rock In. I just have one thing really concerning me.

I have the marineland cube with the stand they come with. Unfortunately these stands are so short. I got a bubble king/royal exclusiv skimmer and it will fit underneath. But I'm thinking it's going to be a problem performing maintenance on it. Because I'm not going to drain the sump and take it out every time I need to clean the skimmer.

So my options I guess are, wait and see if anyone has had success with this. Get a bigger, more practical stand while I still can. Or get a smaller skimmer ? Only thing is with purchasing a smaller space saving skimmer, the stand is still shallow and I doubt I'll be able to get a skimmer out once its in the sump

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

View attachment 320446View attachment 320447

 

[DAKOOP]

If you are worried about being able to do maintenance in the current stand, I would recommend getting a bigger stand. If mant is a pain it won't get done

 

[Sk8r]

The alternative would be to establish a skimmer/sump behind doors in an adjacent piece of furniture, like a small cabinet.

 

[davocean]

Tough call, that's a very nice skimmer and it would be hard for me to part w/ that.
There are some very nice small footprint skimmers out there, I would look at the new JNS/Aquamaxx Q series.
If that stand was an open bottom I would suggest placing 2x4's under the perimeter to raise it.
You could possibly modify that stand.

 

[Shawn O]

That rock work looks kinda like my grandma's poodle.

I would do a taller stand or maybe add height to it by adding 1x6 under the perimeter of the base and giving it a plywood bottom.

 

[Hoopz87]

That rock work looks kinda like my grandma's poodle.



I would do a taller stand or maybe add height to it by adding 1x6 under the perimeter of the base and giving it a plywood bottom.

Omg your like the 4th person to say that about a dog lololol

And I'm interested in modifying my stand I have now. There's a plywood base already so how would I go about modifying Thanks

 

[Hoopz87]

Tough call, that's a very nice skimmer and it would be hard for me to part w/ that.
There are some very nice small footprint skimmers out there, I would look at the new JNS/Aquamaxx Q series.
If that stand was an open bottom I would suggest placing 2x4's under the perimeter to raise it.
You could possibly modify that stand.

Is there any way to mess up modifying my stand? Lol I'm definitely interested in this way

 

[davocean]

Lots of ways to mess it up always!lol
Few ways to do properly but I would begin by cutting out the ply bottom, do a solid 2x4 base, maybe even stacked 2 high to give 3" of height, either add a new ply bottom or just use that old cutout and have it just set inside perimeter.
That ply bottom on now most likely adds shear strength so you may need to accomidate that in doing your modification.
Number of ways to do that.
Yeah, I saw a poodle there too but didn't want to sound like I was bagging on your rock work!lol

 

[Hoopz87]

Lots of ways to mess it up always!lol
Few ways to do properly but I would begin by cutting out the ply bottom, do a solid 2x4 base, maybe even stacked 2 high to give 3" of height, either add a new ply bottom or just use that old cutout and have it just set inside perimeter.
That ply bottom on now most likely adds shear strength so you may need to accomidate that in doing your modification.
Number of ways to do that.
Yeah, I saw a poodle there too but didn't want to sound like I was bagging on your rock work!lol

Thanks for the info, maybe I'm being dumb here, but if you put ply down between the 2x4 and the stand . Wouldn't I be left with the same amount of room to work with. Thus far just leaving me with a tank that is taller to look at

 

[tennesseebob]

Kk here is my idea, remove the bottom of your current stand, next take some 2x6's and make a frame that fits snug around your base, just 2 boards the depth of your stand front to back, and 2 boards the width of your stand left to right plus the 3" for the thickness of the short boards.

Next take some 1x4's and make a lip inside that frame and 2" down from the top, your stand will slip into the frame and rest on the 1x4 lip.

That will give you 3 1/2" extra height, if you need more then use 2x8's and 1x6's for 5 1/2" of extra height.

That's how id do it anyway

 

[davocean]

Thanks for the info, maybe I'm being dumb here, but if you put ply down between the 2x4 and the stand . Wouldn't I be left with the same amount of room to work with. Thus far just leaving me with a tank that is taller to look at

Not ply between the 2x's but rather underneath attached to 2x,s, or made to fit inside the perimeter of those 2x's so it just sits on floor.

 

[ReefNole]

Also, spiny urchins typically don't do well on walls.

Get those things in a tank asap.

 

[AdamNC]

If maint is a pain it won't get done

I second that.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

That rock work looks kinda like my grandma's poodle.

I would do a taller stand or maybe add height to it by adding 1x6 under the perimeter of the base and giving it a plywood bottom.

Omg your like the 4th person to say that about a dog lololol

And I'm interested in modifying my stand I have now. There's a plywood base already so how would I go about modifying Thanks

LMAO I was just going to ask what kind of dog you are trying to duplicate with the rock work :artist:

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Not ply between the 2x's but rather underneath attached to 2x,s, or made to fit inside the perimeter of those 2x's so it just sits on floor.

This :beer:

 

[homer1475]

That totally looks like a poodle.

 

[Hoopz87]

Finished the rock completely today View attachment 320500View attachment 320501

 

[Hoopz87]

Not ply between the 2x's but rather underneath attached to 2x,s, or made to fit inside the perimeter of those 2x's so it just sits on floor.

Thanks for this

 

[Shawn O]

This should help. I drew this as 24"x24"made up of 1/2" plywood, 2x6s and 1x8s.
2x4s sit on plywood, stand sits 2x4s and 1x8s wrap around the bottom of stand and the 2x4s to hide the joint. 1x8s cut to minimize seeing the ends of the 1x8s from the front and sides.

 

[davocean]

Personally I'd lay supportive 2x risers flat for a more solid footing.