What to do for sump system???

[ninjamunky]

So I set up my tank about two weeks ago and I never set up a sump system. The lfs just set me up with a canister filter. :thumbdown My fault for not doing the research I guess.

Anyway I stopped running the mechanical filter a few days after I got the tank and got on this forum. I have been trying to piece together a sump system since then. I bought an Eshopps overflow box and this weekend I bought a 20g high tank from petco that I was planning to use for my sump.

Unfortunately there is no way that the tank will fit into the stand for my 72b without taking apart the stand. It would fit, but I would have had to have put it in before I assembled the stand. So I guess I'll use the 20h for my qt but now I have no idea what to do for the sump in my dt?

I've seen some threads of people using plastic containers. I'm thinking that might be my only option now. I'm not even sure if I could fit a 10g tank through the door of my tank stand. I really don't want to have to do a complete tear down of the tank. I can't even imagine what it would take to get out all the water and sand. Plus I was hoping to add a cuc to the tank this weekend and starting all over from the beginning would be a huge setback.

I'm thinking something DIY is going to be my only option at this point, but I'm not really sure where to start. All I know is anything would be better than a complete tear down of the tank, so please any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[hotelbravo]

when i put my sump into my stand it was way to big to put it with the tank still on the stand so i ended up draining the tank but leaving all the sand and most of the rock. its a 90 gallon and i just had 3 people help lift the tank up and i put the sump in through the hole in the top of the stand then they set the tank right back onto the stand and filled it back up with water. took all of maybe an hour with most of that time just being draining and filling.

 

[Coelli]

So I set up my tank about two weeks ago and I never set up a sump system. The lfs just set me up with a canister filter. :thumbdown My fault for not doing the research I guess.

Anyway I stopped running the mechanical filter a few days after I got the tank and got on this forum. I have been trying to piece together a sump system since then. I bought an Eshopps overflow box and this weekend I bought a 20g high tank from petco that I was planning to use for my sump.

Unfortunately there is no way that the tank will fit into the stand for my 72b without taking apart the stand. It would fit, but I would have had to have put it in before I assembled the stand. So I guess I'll use the 20h for my qt but now I have no idea what to do for the sump in my dt?

I've seen some threads of people using plastic containers. I'm thinking that might be my only option now. I'm not even sure if I could fit a 10g tank through the door of my tank stand. I really don't want to have to do a complete tear down of the tank. I can't even imagine what it would take to get out all the water and sand. Plus I was hoping to add a cuc to the tank this weekend and starting all over from the beginning would be a huge setback.

I'm thinking something DIY is going to be my only option at this point, but I'm not really sure where to start. All I know is anything would be better than a complete tear down of the tank, so please any suggestions would be appreciated.

I know you don't want to tear down the tank but... I would do it. Your tank is only two weeks old and if you're going to do it, now is the time. The water can go in two Brute trash cans. The sand in 5g buckets.

You could try to jimmy something to fit underneath but it's going to be wonky and always annoy you. Alternately if you have room you could run the sump to one side of the tank (in a low cabinet).

Just really think about the long term here... If you improvise are you going to be happy with it or wishing you'd just torn it down when you had the chance?

Sorry to hear your LFS gave you the wrong info. Happens to the best of us.

 

[carrots]

Don't get yourself crazy. I have been running a mixed reef tank for three years with only two power heads for current. No sump no protein skimming no filters. Just move a lot of water through your live rock and don't overstock with fish. Keep it simple and enjoy the hobby. Your next tank you can try the sump system and all the extras that come with it.

 

[ninjamunky]

when i put my sump into my stand it was way to big to put it with the tank still on the stand so i ended up draining the tank but leaving all the sand and most of the rock. its a 90 gallon and i just had 3 people help lift the tank up and i put the sump in through the hole in the top of the stand then they set the tank right back onto the stand and filled it back up with water. took all of maybe an hour with most of that time just being draining and filling.

Won't work, my stand has a solid top and the way that it bolts together it would have to be partially disassembled.

 

[kmbyrnes]

Is the back open, or just a piece of fiberboard that is easily removed?
I would do whatever it takes to get a sump in the stand.
You don't even have a CUC in thetank yet, so draining itwon't risk any critters and should only set you back a day's labor.
You really will kick yourself if you don't make this right early on.

 

[toothybugs]

I'm with Coelli on this one. Do it now while you can. You are really only looking at a day or two of disturbance and that's trivial.

Alternatively, you can have a sump next to your stand for easy access, but that is visually obtrusive (though admittedly really easy access) and potentially noisy, since the stand won't be able to muffle any sound.

 

[JMorris271]

You will need to have enough clearance for your skimmer and being able to get in under the tank to work out things that will arise for sure. This figure is the real thing that needs to be calculated and not the size of your sump tank. I ended up having to buy another stand to get what I needed.

 

[gone fishin]

You could always get/make a cabinet and place it next to the tank and place the sump in there.

 

[Irishman360]

You could always get/make a cabinet and place it next to the tank and place the sump in there.

+1

I have my top off water in a brute trash can on the side of my tank, I'll eventually get it in a cabinet lol.