[Irvine]

I have a 20G tank I want to use for a sump, but it wont quite fit through the front opening of my stand as there's a center brace. I really dont want to drain and remove my 75G tank in order to drop the sump in from the top, so I was thinking I could dismantle the tank, then reassemble it in the stand? I know it would be awkward, is it doable? any advice?

[CSeaSee]

As in disjoin the panes of glass and then re-attach them? I think that'll be way more trouble than it's worth, especially if you don't get it right the first time and it begins to leak. Sorry!

[Irvine]

Yes it would be a pain trying to work 'in' the stand like that.
When I set up my tank I thought my xp3 canister would be sufficient, but it seems to be lacking and now Im realizing I should have went with a sump.

[CSeaSee]

What about two 10- gallon sumps, one w/ the skimmer and one w/ everything else?

[Irvine]

So I would have both tanks drilled for bulkheads, then connect them together?

[CSeaSee]

Sure, you could do it that way- that would work. There are a couple of other ways you could make it work, too- you could have the tanks at different elevations, so that the water would drain from the display directly into the higher tank, and from the higher tank into the lower tank. You'd only need one return pump, then. Or, you could have two return pumps, one for each tank, returning the water to your display- you'd need two overflows, or a way to disperse the water from one overflow into two tanks simultaneously- think T-intersection.

[Irvine]

Im not sure I'd want to go with 2 return pumps, may be a pita to work with, getting them in sync and such, also my tank is in my livingroom and I have to think about the noise factor.
Will have to give this some thought, thanks CSS for the input.

[Reefland]

I like the option of going with two containers drilled with bulkheads to join them. Alternatively, you could temporarily brace the current stand, remove the center brace, put in one container and then replace the center brace.

[CSeaSee]

Originally Posted by Reefland

I like the option of going with two containers drilled with bulkheads to join them.

I've seen that done somewhere before- the person really liked the way it worked out. Can't remember where I saw it, though...

[Irvine]

Originally Posted by Reefland

Alternatively, you could temporarily brace the current stand, remove the center brace, put in one container and then replace the center brace.

When I built the stand I used glue+screws, and I built it in a way that I cant get access to the screws. So basically, its not coming apart.
Its either the two container sump idea, or a 2nd canister.

[Seafrmer]

How about cutting an access panel in one end, (or maybe both ends to match cosmetically.

After you cut the hole, you trim it out with some trim pieces to make it look like raised panel archt...

Good luck

bill

[Reefland]

Originally Posted by Seafrmer

How about cutting an access panel in one end, (or maybe both ends to match cosmetically.

After you cut the hole, you trim it out with some trim pieces to make it look like raised panel archt...

Good luck

bill

I like this option as well...

[Seafrmer]

Thank you




(Trying to build my message count!)

[Irvine]

I built the stand of 3/4" finished plywood, so both end panels support most of the weight, I basically copied an AGA stand but added a 1x4" frame to the inside for extra support. I just wish I had had the 20G tank before I finished the stand.
Good idea though

I may end up draining the tank, lifting it off and dropping the sump in from the top.

[Reefland]

Originally Posted by Seafrmer

Thank you


(Trying to build my message count!)

Irvine,

Draining the tank and putting a sump in might be your only option, but then I think you should be concerned about removal if ever needed (sump springs a leak, etc.).

[SKRIZ]

post a pic and let's see if we can figure out a way so that you dont have to drain the display.