Rookie mistake-sump space too small

[Bill_Moorman]

I have been trying to figure out how to make this happen since January. When I built my stand, I WAY overbuilt it. Think 4X4s framed in between 2X6s. I didn't even think to make the sump space bigger because I assumed, "œEh it's big enough for a 40gallon tank so a 20 will surely fit below it."

Because I made the dimensions off of the 40b, and didn't think about how the 4X4s will take up room in the sump cabinet, all I can fit through the door is a 10g. I want to use a 20L, but the issue is I can't fit it in due to the 4X4s.

I have a few thoughts, and aren't sure which route to go down:

1.) Building a stand to fit everything and then draining and moving the tank over. Obviously the inherent risk with this is a tank crash from draining the tank.

2.) Building a cabinet and placing it next to the current stand and plumbing the sump from there.

3.) Living with what I have because everything is going fine.

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[neilp2006]

I'd remake the stand. Just use 3/4" plywood and forego the 4x4's altogether. If you want a frame, you could make it out of 1x3's and skin it in 3/4" ply- it'll take a 40b very comfortably made that way.


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[Bill_Moorman]

I think my biggest concern is the move...

I would think netting the two clowns I have and placing them in a qt for a bit and then draining all of the water out would allow me
to move the tank without much problems. I honestly wouldn't even remove the corals/rocks/sand as they should be fine out of water for the time it takes to move from one stand to the other and refill.

Would you do a 100%WC or save 50% in buckets?

Is that a solid idea or no?


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[AlSimmons]

I would just stick with the 10 gallon tank and call it a day. You might not have enough room to add a Refugium, but this isn't really a necessity anyway. Just keep it simple and you should be fine. GL.

 

[lolgranny]

#2 option HANDS down. You can hold all your crap in there and make it look super clean. Plus easy access to your skimmer and if you ever need to clean the sump.


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[lolgranny]

Rookie mistake-sump space too small

I think my biggest concern is the move...

I would think netting the two clowns I have and placing them in a qt for a bit and then draining all of the water out would allow me
to move the tank without much problems. I honestly wouldn't even remove the corals/rocks/sand as they should be fine out of water for the time it takes to move from one stand to the other and refill.

Would you do a 100%WC or save 50% in buckets?

Is that a solid idea or no?


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Refilling , getting salinity , and temp correct are your biggest concerns. You don't want to mix salt and a hour put them in imo. Saving some water wouldn't hurt, you could get a brute trash can and empty it into there then pump it back in. As long as you get this all taken care of you should be good to go [emoji4]


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[Bill_Moorman]

[MENTION=237495]lolgranny[/MENTION] you make a good point. Easiest to do would be to build the sump in another cabinet.

I'll keep y'all updated.


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[Dainese954]

Custom sump

 

[lolgranny]

[MENTION=237495]lolgranny[/MENTION] you make a good point. Easiest to do would be to build the sump in another cabinet.

I'll keep y'all updated.


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You could even do a bookshelf or something that ties in with your furniture. Just have spot on the bottom for your sump / whatever else you may need. Will end up looking super clean after you're all done.

Good luck!


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[alton]

My first tank I made the rookie mistake of thinking I needed 2 x 6 's and 3/4" plywood to hold up a 135 gallon tank. Over the years I have only used 3/4" plywood or 3/4" oak hardwood to hold up my tanks including a 300DD.

 

[mcgyvr]

WAY overbuilt is an understatement

Buy a sheet of 3/4" ply as stated by Alton and rebuild stand to fit a 40b under your 40b and be very happy with that setup..

 

[Floowid]

I love a way overbuilt stand. You did great work on that one, it would be a shame to discard it. If you can get your hands on a 16 gallon high, its the same dimensions as a common 10 gallon just 4 inches taller. I would find a 16H and use that for the sump.

 

[Hnguyen85]

I would rebuild it. I just finished this stand for my 40 breeder, modeled it after my red sea reefer tank. It's more than enough to hold a 40 breeder. This also gives me a lot of room for sump and equipment in the cabinet.

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[Joe0813]

rebuild like others said

 

[saveafish]

Looking at that it should hold about 26,000lbs A lil over built there unless your parking a semi on it.

 

[Hnguyen85]

Looking at that it should hold about 26,000lbs A lil over built there unless your parking a semi on it.

It's got more support than the load bearing wall I just removed from my basement. I'm serious about that too.

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[lolgranny]

I would rebuild it. I just finished this stand for my 40 breeder, modeled it after my red sea reefer tank. It's more than enough to hold a 40 breeder. This also gives me a lot of room for sump and equipment in the cabinet.

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What did you make this out of?


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[Hnguyen85]

What did you make this out of?


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Melamine, 1 sheet was enough to build the whole stand with doors. It's built to the same height and style as my red sea reefer stand. I'm hoping that way the wife will let me keep it next to my reefer 525xl.

 

[Bill_Moorman]

Looking at that it should hold about 26,000lbs A lil over built there unless your parking a semi on it.

Haha I know I know. I just didn't want it to crash on me.

I am still trying to decide whether to rebuild or not...leaning to not rebuild, rather, build a cabinet to the left of my tank and plumb a new sump into the tank.


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[Bill_Moorman]

I love a way overbuilt stand. You did great work on that one, it would be a shame to discard it. If you can get your hands on a 16 gallon high, its the same dimensions as a common 10 gallon just 4 inches taller. I would find a 16H and use that for the sump.

Thanks for the compliment. I definitely love the look, just not the sump cabinet.

I really want to gain more width, as the height is already close to being too high, which is why I am not using a normal 20. That would fit, but I love the footprint of the 20L.


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