First post. Looking for input on sump design for bowfront stand.

[rolibr24]

I am not sure if this belongs here or in the DIY section.

Our family is very new to saltwater. Our kids (9+11) have really been getting into aquariums. Both of them have been keeping freshwater for the past few months with great success. They are now getting into saltwater.

I have always had Cichlid's and now with the kids getting into saltwater Mom is getting very interested in it too. She is a Nurse and really loves biology, and is really getting into the biology of saltwater and is enjoying watching the kids tanks "grow" and evolve.

We just picked up a 72 gallon bowfront acrylic tank and stand for a really good price. I am now working on getting a sump in and I realized that the only access to underneath the stand is through the front door. The back is solid acrylic, and the base where the tank sets is also solid acrylic. I tried to fit in a 20 gallon tank but I could not shoehorn it in......

So now I have a dilemma.. What to do for a sump....

Any recommendations?
I am considering a few options.

Option 1:
My local hardware stores carry acrylic sheets, they are 1/4" thick sheets. I could cut the pieces and assemble the sump inside the stand.

Option 2:
Petco has the $1 a gallon sale right now. I bought a 20 gallon tank today thinking I could shoehorn it in to no avail. So I could dismantle that tank, clean it up and then reassemble it inside the stand.

Option 3:
With the $1 a gallon sale at Petco. I could buy two 10 gallon tanks and then drill each of them to put one or two bulkheads inbetween to essentially make a 20 gallon sump.
With this option I don't know how I would design the sump, or if it would be a wise setup.





13" wide by 32" long is about the limit to the sump that I can install in the stand.

Is there any other options that I am overlooking? Or any other suggestions? The top of the stand where the tank sits is clear acrylic, so I can easily look down inside the stand and see what I am doing if I do build my own sump.


(Disclaimer about this post Someone at my local fish store recommended me to join this forum. I couldn't remember the name of it when I got home and after a google search I came across a different forum before this one. So this post has been posted on another forum. But this forum has been one that has been recommended to me to check out and learn from.

 

[Fish4udog]

If you can make one yourself out of acrylic I would go that route or find a local acrylic mfg and have them make me one to my specs

 

[motortrendz]

Welcome. And how about through the top. Take the tank off the stand and lower the sump in. That's how ive has to do it in the past.

 

[rolibr24]

Welcome. And how about through the top. Take the tank off the stand and lower the sump in. That's how ive has to do it in the past.

That was my first initial thought, but the top is 3/8" acrylic that is welded to the upright supports and to the stand. I did consider cutting it out to lower a sump in, but I am concerned if that would hurt the integrity of the stand.

 

[motortrendz]

That was my first initial thought, but the top is 3/8" acrylic that is welded to the upright supports and to the stand. I did consider cutting it out to lower a sump in, but I am concerned if that would hurt the integrity of the stand.

The acrylic is welded to the stand?? That doesnt seem right?.. you sure it's just not stuck

 

[lavoisier]

Howdy, and welcome to R2R. Glad you found us. Can you post a pic of your stand? Remember that you can drill acrylic--you don't want to plumb to the front of your stand! If you cannot drop your sump from the top then building your own acrylic sump is an excellent idea.

 

[CasaReefer]

Hi and Welcome to R2R... Very exciting that you have found a hobby the whole family can do together.. The forum is WAY better then the other forum... All the smart people hang out here...... Thanks for jumping in and I really hope you do a build thread with pictures so we can all follow along in your journey...

 

[rolibr24]

 

[motortrendz]

Is the bottom open?

 

[rolibr24]

If I were to build a sump in place it would be doable, but also a little difficult. I would have to do all the work through the door and looking from the top down.

 

[rolibr24]

Is the bottom open?

No it is not, that is clear acrylic too.

 

[lavoisier]

I see that your drain and return will be plumbed from the bottom of the tank. If you can build the acrylic sump you will be gold. Two tens plumbed together would also work as well as going with a Rubbermaid tub that would fit in the space.

 

[rolibr24]

I see that your drain and return will be plumbed from the bottom of the tank. If you can build the acrylic sump you will be gold. Two tens plumbed together would also work as well as going with a Rubbermaid tub that would fit in the space.

I can do whatever I want with the tank. It is not drilled at the moment, nor does it have a overflow. I will probably be drilling and putting a overflow on the back.

Once I figure out the layout of the sump I can put the overflow on and plumb it from there.

Unless I can find a box that I can mount inside the tank, then I will probably have the overflow come from the bottom so I don't have any external plumbing.

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

What an interesting stand... is the whole thing acrylic?

 

[rolibr24]

What an interesting stand... is the whole thing acrylic?

Yes it is

 

[Dcole12]

Welcome to R2R! I have been new to this as well! This is a great website for help! Hope everything goes well! Tank looks awesome! Good luck with the sump! I currently don't have one on my 46 gallon bowfront.