Building a stand... Also some other questions

[SaltedReefer]

so my wife is leaving for three ,(3) , yes three weeks on Thursday.. That's gives me 3 weeks to build a new tank without being yelled at!! So I'm gonna go with a 20 long. I want to build the stand so that the tank is pretty much eye level or close.. Should I got with a height of 4 or 5 foot on the stand? I think 5 foot may look wierd..bit opinions? Also does anyone know it petco tanks can be drilled.. Would a 5 gallon sump be ok for a 20 long or should I go with a 10 gallon. I want the smallest possible sump so I can have a lot of storage space for my aquarium stuff for my other tanks. Would you guys even recommend a sump on a 20 long ? The other route I was thinking is an aqua clear. Or possibly a canister filter . Let me know your thoughts

 

[First reef]

I would make the stand about 4' 6" tall and build a shelf inside and put your sump on it . I would go with the 10 gal sump on the shelf and it won't have a long discharge head on your pump. I believe if you get a breeder tank it can be drill but I would look and see if it's tempered.

 

[jasonp87]

I've drilled the smaller petco tanks before, I think it's the 40s and up that use tempered glass on the bottom. I second putting the 10 gallon on a shelf inside and leaving storage space underneath. You want the biggest sump possible to increase your total water volume.

 

[prsnlty]

Yeah I agree with everyone about the sump and shelf. The petco tanks are tempered on the bottoms. And I noticed that they say so on the tank now. If it doesn't have a sticker on the bottom you should be good I am not sure of the sides though. You might be able to drill the sides. Email the petco corporate office. I am sure they will know.

As far as using a HOB filter, I think maybe. Depends on what you plan on using the tank for. But if you do, get the bio wheel style and get the bigger one. plus you will need a protein skimmer. My daughter has a 27g with a HOB filter. It does a good job but it is mainly handling a small CUC, 6 small fish, softies, 1 starfish, 1 CB shrimp and zoas.

 

[reefer Ard]

I know the last PetCo tank I bought, the back glass was not tempered but that was also about two years ago so thing may have changed a little bit.

I am not sure how tall you are but I know if you have to reach up or over the tank to get into it, your arms will get tired quickly and it will make quick maintenance or simple task turn into a pain. That is when a step stool comes in handy but it is still a pain to get that out when you need to say move something, grab something and other things like that. All preference but I do agree with leaving yourself some storage room and having a sump.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I agree with others about a ten gallon sump. I would highly recommend a Glass-Holes overflow kit. Comes with everything including the drill bit to drill the glass.

 

[111]

I just finished my stand for a 40b. I also wanted it up closer to eye level, but ended up cutting it down six inches cause it looked a little goofy.

This was the original height. It was 39 inches.

This is the final product. Tank sits at 33 inches now.

 

[snwmnky007]

Nice stand. Looking great.

 

[111]

Thank you. Hopefully setting up my first saltwater tank goes as well as building my first stand.

 

[SaltedReefer]

So just an update I did go with getting it drilled and I way over guesstimated the height!! Lol it's sitting at 36" and I have a 15g tall sump

 

[111]

Looks great!

 

[jeric]

Turned out great! I feel better I'm not the only one that over guesstimates height lol my first stand build turned out the same. I felt it looked great but made it a few inches shorter on the next tank.