Odd Sump Design - Critique

[tekknoschtev]

I'm going to be setting up my 60gal cube in the coming months, and I know for a fact that I want a sump in the tank. Unfortunately being a cube, there arent too many normal tanks that'd fit under there but also provide me the freedom and flexibility I'm looking for, so I'm thinking of going custom to use every last inch of space in there.

Ignore the baffle in there, I just threw it in for effect, I have a few ideas that I'm playing with in regards to sectioning it off, but I'm curious as to if the overall shape of the tank is somewhat insane to do, and if I'd be better off just making a custom sump in a rectangle in the middle of the stand.

Thats a rough idea of the stand. I've beefed it up a bit since then, but the corners (with the legs) present an issue getting a large sump in there without going custom.

The original plan is to use glass, since that's what I'm farmiliar with, and I have access to glass relatively inexpensively - though I've never priced a custom piece like the bottom piece will be. The other small pieces will be relatively cheap. I'm thinking at least 12" high, but likely closer to 16 to give me extra room for overflow from the display, and also more flexibility. I'll have plenty of room for a skimmer and a decent sized fuge (maybe even in the same "compartment") The return section is going to be as large as I can make it, and I will have an auto top off to help with the water level since there is limited space for a "large" return section.

 

[TAB]

I think that your are creating more porbs for yourself with that design. I personally would make the sump a retangle. Alot less work, less wasted material and less points of failure.

Really the better solution would be to ditch the 2x4s and build your stand otu of 3/4 ply. It would be stornger( if constructed correctly), give you more room under the stand and actaully give you MORE sump volume( then anyother method of constuction)

 

[mr pink floyd]

simpler the better, it will be hard to make all those walls, and cut, very frustrating, just save yerself the trouble, and make it a tall rectangle... BTW you kinda look liek DJ qualls, the guy from road trip hehe, great movie

 

[Roland Jacques]

good idea and nice drawing but
i Agree with Tab on both accounts. and floyd too KIS.
you would have to biuld that in the stand, fun fun, you'll never be able to take it out, what if it leaks...

go square or rectangal put some baffles in if you need them their plenty of other things you can put that much detail into.

you beefed that stand up? wow

 

[tekknoschtev]

Well, by beefed up, I mean I strengthened the legs. As it stands in that picture, the entire weight of the tank would be resting on the screws holding the top frame to the legs. I dont like that at all, so I put a 2x4 between the bottom frame and top frame so the weight of the tank is supported by the 2x4, not the screws.

As for building it in the stand, it would be built first, then inserted, and the stand reassembled around it. Leaking... nah, not my handywork. (I'm kidding, completely).

Thanks for the input guys and/or gals (whatever the situation may be), perhaps the KISS method is best to follow. I do agree with the ability of taking it out, I was just trying something new. Probably would cost a heck of a lot more to get that bottom piece cut.

 

[thesaent14]

i am also having the same problem i am going to make my refeugium sump really soon i will show you my idea really soon

this are some pics of my cube i am building from scrach its going to be and all diy

and this is some of the pluming i am doing i was not supost to show any of this cus i want to make a post about this tank

 

[alien9168]

This is going to be a realy neet project!!



I like the odd shaped sump. How are you going to get it in the stand?

-alien

 

[tekknoschtev]

I posted above that if I go this route, its going to be built first and then I'll disassemble the top portion of the stand and put it in. After that, reassemble the stand around it, and its done :-D.

I'm still tossing around the idea of doing it (right now, its a cost dependant idea). I want to do this because it is different, but good points above were also brought up about the KISS method - which does make sense, so please dont think I'm ignoring everyone's advice, I'm just excited to try something different

We'll see how it goes. I'll probably get some quotes next week when I'm home for spring break on getting the pieces cut for this, and getting the pieces cut for a normal sump that fits as much in there as it can.

 

[impulse]

Actually i quite like your design. But- why not go acrylic. It is much easier to cut, drill and join (particularly the base). A sump like this could be made from off-cuts, which are considerably cheaper. Have a look at DIY BUDGET MARINE TANK part3, which I have just posted with all costings. I custom built to maximise space just like you are proposing.
impulse

 

[masterswimmer]

I really like your idea of maximizing your available space. Real estate for tanks (or anything) is so darn valuable and expensive.

However, the potential points of failure in your design outweigh your creativity. You have 12 outside joints (not including the bottom glass) that have the chance to fail (leak).

The way you've designed it is very unique and it is apparent you put a lot of thought into it. From your drawings it looks like you intend to build the sump to fit into all the nooks and crannies created by your stand. The precision it would require to accurately assemble a sump like that would take years of experience to accomplish.

Another thing you need to remember, you are using materials that will expand and contract......at different rates. Glass and wood squeezed together like that lends itself to failure from this expansion and contraction as well.

A nice rectangular sump will serve the purpose and most likely be more reliable in the long run. Can your design work? Sure, I don't see why not. This hobby is complicated enough with tested designs and shapes, pushing the envelope in this case might be more trouble than it's worth.

I wish you all the best luck, whichever direction you go. You've got a good creative head on your shoulders and I've got no doubt whatever you do with your tank it will look sensational. Please post pix.

Russ