ADA Style Stand Question

[jwpadgett]

I recently purchased a new tank that is 36.5" x 24.5" x 25" and I plan to build an ADA style stand. If my luck holds and I fail to win a new synergy sump, I want to use a 20g tall and a 15g glass tank for a 2 tank refugium/sump setup. The problem is that the 20g tall is 24" long and I would need to extend the back to be deeper than the tank. This will leave the back side of the tank without a direct vertical support. Do you all think this is an issue, and if so, how can I build the tank to accommodate?

 

[Mandelstam]

Why don't you just add a couple of extra uprights at the back corners of the tank? So you'll have three on each side.

 

[George Lopez]

Why don't you use a 40 long or 50? And just make a fuge chamber?

 

[jwpadgett]

Why don't you use a 40 long or 50? And just make a fuge chamber?

If I'm not mistaken, both of those sizes are too long, being at or greater than 36". This would create the same problem on the sides rather than the back, right?

 

[jwpadgett]

I think I may have to use a 20 X-tall and a 20-tall. I want to maximize the fuge. I'm toying with the idea of cutting a port hole in that side of the stand to make a display refugium. I have attached a sketch of the proposed floor plan. The black areas are the uprights; grey is the base, reddish color is the wrap. All cut from 3/4 plywood. Thoughts?

 

[George Lopez]

Ok i see now i was thinking side by side sorry

 

[George Lopez]

If you are going that route then you need to add a small overflow section in the refugium to keep the water level higher than the sump. The cut out would be a cool idea.

 

[jwpadgett]

If you are going that route then you need to add a small overflow section in the refugium to keep the water level higher than the sump. The cut out would be a cool idea.

My illustration excluded any plumbing. I plan to have a bulkhead near the top of the 20XT that dumps into the near-end of the sump tank. The sump tank will probably have a single set of baffles to separate my skimmer and my return pump. Do most people have their skimmer return water directly back into the sump, or tie that line into the return line?

 

[George Lopez]

Back into your sump. If you tote it into your return you'll get all the pressure back into the skimmer and just overflow. It needs be free flow and depending on your skimmer at deepest, the water level of higher so you can regulate the level within.