Stand Modification for a sump

[wcn4361]

Ok I have a 55G that sits on a 48"x13" mdf stand. I'm getting ready to DIY a sum pin a 20G Long I have laying around. The problem im running into is that the center "braces" are 10" apart and the 20g is 12" deep

Is there a way that I can reinforce the stand to take the back back brace out to accommodate the sump tank? I dont want to take the front brace out as it is where the doors close (might have to temporarily to put the tank underneath)

[peacher213]

I just bought a 20 long for my 60 same issue. I got it from petco for 20bucks (1 dollar per gallon sale). Im afraid of modidying my stand. Im thinking of keeping the tank. And just using something else as my sump.

[Original Fin]

That's why I ended up daisy chaining two 10gals together under my 55.
I don't recommend it though...you need to drill them to do it, and 10's are really thin and fragile.
My display tank was already up and running when I integrated the sump, so there was no way to get a larger sump in there through the door openings without breaking the whole thing down. If you do it before you set up the display tank, a better route would be to build your own, or have a custom acrylic sump built for you with the narrow dimensions you need. I never had any luck finding one off the shelf.

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[dufybug]

what you need to do is build a header to transfer the weight to the floor on either side of the opening you want. i would use 2x4 for the actual header, and use 2x2's for the king and jack studs. you would have to cut holes thru the floor of your stand so that the studs would rest on you home's floor and not something flimsy, but it would certainly transfer the load when the center brace was removed.