How to cover up ugly mess..

[Sharebear]

Hi Reefers,

I have a sump underneath my tank in a wooden cabinet...

I obviously can’t lift the sump and put in a giant mat.. but was wondering what type of mat or a cover I can cut and put to cover this ugliness...

also worried about it rotting over time....
Thank you

 

[Sleeping Giant]

You could try and get some type of vinyl under and around it.

 

[Sleeping Giant]

You could go all around the sump, to the edges of the cabinet and seal the edges with the same silicone as the aquariums use.

 

[homer1475]

Why not drain the sump, pull it out, silicone the corners of the stand, then use an epoxy type paint for a waterproof bottom.

Couple days work. Just throw the heater and dosing lines in the display for a couple days.

 

[Familyman2010]

Hi Reefers,

I have a sump underneath my tank in a wooden cabinet...

I obviously can’t lift the sump and put in a giant mat.. but was wondering what type of mat or a cover I can cut and put to cover this ugliness...

also worried about it rotting over time....
Thank you

There’s a few things you can do but some takes more work tha

Why not drain the sump, pull it out, silicone the corners of the stand, then use an epoxy type paint for a waterproof bottom.

Couple days work. Just throw the heater and dosing lines in the display for a couple days.

Definitely a good idea. Some type of waterproof type of paint and waterproof mat after the sump is placed as the cherry on top. Most work but the best finish in my opinion.

 

[Sharebear]

Ah waterproof type of paint... I am wondering if it being waterproof all over means it would get more moist inside? I don't have the space to put the electrical wiring outside of the sump. Not sure.. if its fully waterproof it would make it more dangerous?

 

[Familyman2010]

Ah waterproof type of paint... I am wondering if it being waterproof all over means it would get more moist inside? I don't have the space to put the electrical wiring outside of the sump. Not sure.. if its fully waterproof it would make it more dangerous?

Could you add some type of fan for the moisture?

 

[Sharebear]

Could you add some type of fan for the moisture?

Hmmmm there’s not that many outlets left... but it’s not fully closed? There’s like 2 giant holes in the back of the sump for the wire/pump (using bean overflow system)

I wish I could build a pull out controlling unit.. that would be amazing balls haha

 

[Sharebear]

You could try and get some type of vinyl under and around it.

I think I’ll try the vinyl method first... because it’s too hard to remove the sump since all the plumbing are sorta... glued in there haha!

thank you!!

 

[Sleeping Giant]

You could make one out of these

 

[Reef.]

If you are going to do this you need to do it correctly, a half hearted effort will cause more harm, cutting something to go around the sump will mean water will get between whatever you put down and the wood, this will likely rot the wood as the air will not get to it to dry it out.

If mine, I would remove the sump and cover the bottom correctly.

 

[Sharebear]

You could make one out of these

Ohhh smart... I’m just too scared to cut through the wood to make space.. LOL!
I need to play around with random wood and my circular saw a bit more LOL!

 

[Sleeping Giant]

You could set it to any size, doesn't have to be the size of a kitchen cabinet

 

[Sharebear]

If you are going to do this you need to do it correctly, a half hearted effort will cause more harm, cutting something to go around the sump will mean water will get between whatever you put down and the wood, this will likely rot the wood as the air will not get to it to dry it out.

If mine, I would remove the sump and cover the bottom correctly.

Removing the entire sump might be hard...
Maybe I can remove the water from the sump.. and try lifting and sliding some type of wrap under?
The pipes are already glued to the correct areas and I can’t remove the entire sump without taking off the all the plumbing :/

 

[Sleeping Giant]

I would use vinyl plank flooring, it's great stuff and 1 box would be enough

 

[Sleeping Giant]

Removing the entire sump might be hard...
Maybe I can remove the water from the sump.. and try lifting and sliding some type of wrap under?
The pipes are already glued to the correct areas and I can’t remove the entire sump without taking off the all the plumbing :/

If possible, drain and lift if full removal isn't an option

 

[ReefBeta]

If you can lift the sump and slight it in, put in a bath linear.

 

[Reef.]

Removing the entire sump might be hard...
Maybe I can remove the water from the sump.. and try lifting and sliding some type of wrap under?
The pipes are already glued to the correct areas and I can’t remove the entire sump without taking off the all the plumbing :/

could be hard to do, then doing nothing may be better than the easy alternative was the point I was trying to make...embrace the ugliness.

 

[Sharebear]

could be hard to do, then doing nothing may be better than the easy alternative was the point I was trying to make...embrace the ugliness.

LOL nooooo ugliness allowed (jk)

No one took care of the sump.. but ever since I’ve been on R2R, I’m like.. your sump should be pretty enough like your DT.

At this point, when covid is over.. I’ll be taking wood workshops to learn and not be so dang scared to make changes lol

 

[Sleeping Giant]

LOL nooooo ugliness allowed (jk)

No one took care of the sump.. but ever since I’ve been on R2R, I’m like.. your sump should be pretty enough like your DT.

At this point, when covid is over.. I’ll be taking wood workshops to learn and not be so dang scared to make changes lol

You'll be ok, practice first though