@#$@%$^!!!! stand and sump

[slojim]

trying to set up a 110 tall. I had planned to recover 2 old aquariums as sumps, as 12gallon nanocube that I already drilled and elevated to be a refugium, and a 29/30 acrylic seaclear as the main sump. I can't quite fit the 29 through the door opening. I have a few options:
1) on my stand, I think I can remove the end panel by removing 12 pocket screws, and slide in the sump. I won't be able to reattach half the screws though once the sump is in, so that likely impacts stand integrity.
2) I could remove the aquarium, it looks like I can lower the 29 sump into place from above through the braces, then reset the aquarium. The aquarium is too heavy for me, so its not a great option.
3) settle on a smaller sump - quite a step up in $ from a DIY or even a LFS modified glass tank, but I think I could fit a trigger systems 26 or a geo 24. I have a separate refugium so the geo makes the most sense. Im sure other systems are out there, this was a quick search for sumps that would fit.
4) I could ditch the separate refugium, then I could probably fit something 30" long. Maybe, just maybe, I could squeeze a trigger 34 in there. I'd need to mock it up. But I don't gain volume, since I give up the 12 gallon fuge.
Options 1 and 2 mean I can't remove the sump unless I empty the aquarium - not liking that. Option 4 doesn't really seem an advantage. I'm left with 3. , finding an acrylic sump about 26" long. It feels a shame to give up 6-10 gallons of sump volume.
Thoughts or recommendations?

Oh, I have an ice cap 160 skimmer my wife bought for christmas. I haven't picked a return pump yet. Could be anything from a sicce synchra 3 to a vectra. I'm sure I will include some reactors, but I have some vertical space and might be able to keep them out of the sump. I don't have a basement, so everything needs to go under the stand.

 

[GimpyFin]

That's a bummer... I can appreciate where you're coming from and I have the same tank as you. Not sure how much it helps you in this situation, but is building another stand an option? When I built mine, I put a piece that looks like a middle support/trim behind where the doors come together, but it just attaches with magnets so I could take the sump (36x16) out if needed. I also made it 36" tall so I have plenty of clearance. Anyway, just thought I'd share what I did. Hope it all works out good whatever you decide.

 

[slojim]

I'm not building another stand at this time. I have too many other "projects" on the backlog. This is my first purchased stand, it has a matching canopy. I bought it a while ago and ended up moving so I didn't get it up and running. Funny, I had a lot of aquariums once upon a time, and in most cases, everything but the tanks was DIY, but I got it done. Now I'm going down the road of store bought and it takes me forever to pull the trigger on a purchase.
I don't have an upright in the middle, but the opening on either the front or the back is just under 24" wide. The cavities to the left and right are ~11", so that refugium sticks out into the open doorway about 2" or so, leaving maybe a 22" opening.
Nice job on your stand. Mine were all pretty utilitarian, but yours looks like a cabinet. I think I might paint my interior white this weekend similar to yours. I sealed it with valspar when I bought it, not too worried about water, but the white should improve visibility inside. While I'm at it, I'll recaulk the seams. I'll feel like I made progress.

 

[FirstContact]

Any option that required me to empty the tank to remove the sump/work underneath would be a non starter for me. So, I would gladly give up a few gallons just to keep the ability to change things easily in and out.

Oh, btw, instead of a refugium, would you save space by using an algae scrubber? Allowing more room for your sump?

 

[slojim]

ok, I found a white Brute rubbermaid container at lowes. I can just get it in there, I think it will work out well. Right now, I'm using to bleach an order of rock from TBsaltwater. I've got to get the tank circulating with some water to test it out and check my new bulkheads and other plumbing before I think about a new sump. I need to order a return pump, I think I'm going with a sicce synchra 3500 - that was my other big mental block. I was leaning vectra, but I was also leaning apex for a controller, so... The sicce will get me going. It's on the small side on purpose - I plan for good circulation in-tank, so the 400gpm or so it will put out lifting water ~66" should do. Caulked the stand and hood seams today in preparation for some paint - so I made some progress.
The base of the rubbermaid brute is fine, the top edges are tight against the uprights of the stand - so I've got a pretty good idea of what I can squeeze under there if I decide to order a fancier sump.