Mod stand to accept sump

[fishkeeprian]

Hi, I am looking to do a mod to my stand to accept a sump, let me give you a bit of back ground on the tank.

The setup was originally an EA Marine 900 the in tank sump version (not the version shown). I stripped out the sump in the back ready to drill but the tank stand was not designed to accept a sump in the cabinet. There is a full-width support running down the centre of the cabinet (18mm MDF) to support the centre which I want to remove so I can put in a full-length sump in exactly like the EA MARINE 900S as shown in the picture but will need to add the front support across the length on the tank as shown.

I didn't want to screw the support in from the outside as the cabinet is nice high gloss cabinet so I didn't want the screw heads showing, my second option was to fix it using glue and dowels, I am really looking for suggestions if you can help?

Thanks

 

[JTL]

Kreg pocket hole jig.

 

[fishkeeprian]

Kreg pocket hole jig.

The sides are MDF and only 18mm thick, I don't think I would get enough screw into the side for it to work as I wouldn't want it to pierce through the side.

 

[JTL]

The thickness is not a problem but the MDF may be. Use a good glue and it may work just fine.

 

[davocean]

Attach 1x that sits at face frame, w/ a 1x that is longer behind it screwing to inside of face frame if you have room, lots of glue, predrill, screw, but as it is MDF it's a compromised bond.
There are glues that work better for MDF, I think it's Roo glue(sp?)