rubbermaid storage boxes for sump?

DrDNA

New member
I was looking for some other cheap alteratives for a remote skimmer sump. I was thinking about using like one of the larger clear (or not clear) rubbermaid type of storage box, like the ones you might get at like Target or Wally-world. Do you think these are durable enough to hold water w/o splitting?
 
Depends on the thickness of the material. If it's too thin it will bow until it eventually fails. With that being said, you could use even a really thin one if you reinforced the walls, such as by building a box around it.
 
Or you could buy two and stack them on top of each other to reinforce the weight. I think it depends on the size you're looking for too. I don't know if I would trust the bigger ones. Might as well use a brute trash can if you're going bigger, or if your skimmer's really tall. I've used a clear 15g for my top off for awhile now. They seem to hold water well. Lids are also nice for keeping the splash and noise down.
 
I was looking at the 15-18 gal ones, not the really big ones. The skimmer actually won't be sitting in the sump; it is mainly to collect water to pump to the external skimmer and take the return. thanks guys.
 
I use an 18 gal rubbermaid as a refugium. It does seem to bow a bit, but it seems to work just fine. I only have it filled about 10 gals though. If you're worried about the bowing, like jtarmitage said, you can always double them.
I have heard that the clear plastic ones tend to get brittle with age and crack. I've seen that happen with dry use on the clear ones. But never on the colored rubbermaid tubs.
 
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