Need advice on a new build.

[Bthomas]

I'm getting ready to purchase a new 150 gallon aquarium and stand to replace the one I have currently. I'm looking at having a wood stand made instead of doing another diy job like I did this one. I'm having trouble finding anyone that will build them with a removable front panel to get a sump in and out. I have a 55 gallon sump that I would like to keep.
I need help figuring out what to do here..
I don't see many options for being able to install/remove a sump that size through the front panel of the stand as most of them will be made with center braces etc..
I can't remove it from the side due to where the tank will be situated in the house so a side door isn't an option..

Do I just install the sump at set up and pray that I never need to remove it for anything later?
Ideas?

 

[Idoc]

I wouldn't install the sump at setup and hope it never had to be removed... that will be a nightmare if something happens.

Most stands for 6 foot tanks require a center brace at least for that distance span to hold the weight. Maybe a metal stand might be better and stronger.

I'm not an engineer but maybe a couple other option:

1. 2 sump system with 2 smaller sumps. Make one the regular sump for equipment and the other one for a stand alone refugium.

2. It's usually recommended to use a 2x6 for the top long portion of the frame. Maybe put two of them together to make a strong "single" beam in the front. Maybe the doubling would be strong enough not to require a center support? We really need an engineer to jump in and see if this option is doable. I don't see why not, it's done in houses to strengthen beams that hold up way more weight!

 

[lite_rider]

I was faced with this same dilemma some years ago, I settled on a custom 80/20 stand, a water pan and a acrylic refugium.

 

[Hugh Mann]

Could you possibly design the stand so the sump can be moved in and out from one end?

I have your same problem, except I bought it all used. That's how I got my sump in.

 

[lite_rider]

I originally entertained having 2 smaller sumps connected by 2 large bulkhead fittings with 2 ballvalves and a threaded coupling between both at lowest possible sump level. This would allow you to have an over all larger water volume in your sumps and they would be removable from the front individually.

 

[Bthomas]

I originally entertained having 2 smaller sumps connected by 2 large bulkhead fittings with 2 ballvalves and a threaded coupling between both at lowest possible sump level. This would allow you to have an over all larger water volume in your sumps and they would be removable from the front individually.

I was considering this but they would have to both be very small in order to fit through the front doors of the stand..

 

[Bthomas]

Could you possibly design the stand so the sump can be moved in and out from one end?

I have your same problem, except I bought it all used. That's how I got my sump in.

Won't have room to pull the sump out the side of the stand with the location it is in the house

 

[lite_rider]

could you go through the wall to another room for the filtration?

 

[Bthomas]

I wouldn't install the sump at setup and hope it never had to be removed... that will be a nightmare if something happens.

Most stands for 6 foot tanks require a center brace at least for that distance span to hold the weight. Maybe a metal stand might be better and stronger.

I'm not an engineer but maybe a couple other option:

1. 2 sump system with 2 smaller sumps. Make one the regular sump for equipment and the other one for a stand alone refugium.

2. It's usually recommended to use a 2x6 for the top long portion of the frame. Maybe put two of them together to make a strong "single" beam in the front. Maybe the doubling would be strong enough not to require a center support? We really need an engineer to jump in and see if this option is doable. I don't see why not, it's done in houses to strengthen beams that hold up way more weight!

The tank i have currently is similar to your option #2. Has 2x6s doubled up for beams and extra support in all the corners with no center braces. And the plywood skin is completely removable on the front.
But its a poorly built stand and I want to replace it... and im not looking to build one myself

 

[Bthomas]

could you go through the wall to another room for the filtration?

Nope. No option for this either

 

[lite_rider]

Nope. No option for this either

Seems to me you are out of options, what ever sump goes in wont be coming out. Why would you want to remove it anyway?

 

[Bthomas]

Seems to me you are out of options, what ever sump goes in wont be coming out. Why would you want to remove it anyway?

For cleaning.. which I can deal with cleaning in the stand I guess but there's also the case of emergencies or if I wanted to replace it later..

 

[Bthomas]

I may look into the split sump idea more.. I could possibly get them to build the doors big enough that I can get 2 smaller sumps in..

 

[lite_rider]

The best piece of advice I can give you is get the last sump/refugium you need first and never have to change it later. filtration is one place you don't want to skimp. Remember your one job is to maintain water quality everything else is 2nd to that, as far as cleaning just put some power heads in the areas with low water movement and your cleaning will be Zero other than filter socks or the occasional sponge

 

[Bthomas]

The best piece of advice I can give you is get the last sump/refugium you need first and never have to change it later. filtration is one place you don't want to skimp. Remember your one job is to maintain water quality everything else is 2nd to that, as far as cleaning just put some power heads in the areas with low water movement and your cleaning will be Zero other than filter socks or the occasional sponge

Yeah. I mean I have a pretty decent diy sump made out of a 55 gallon tank currently but any tank seam can fail eventually..

 

[lite_rider]

this is why I went with the biggest custom acrylic refugium/Sump i could fit under my tank with a water pan under that. it has a 6 inch lip and dedicated 11/2 bulk head fitting that discharges out of the house incase of any leaks

 

[Hugh Mann]

Is there any reason you need the middle support? Could you perhaps have it built sturdy enough that it doesn't need it?

I know it was discussed a bit in earlier posts, but could that work for you? I'm sure it's doable with big enough, quality timber. Might be expensive, but stands usually are.

 

[lite_rider]

Here you go

 

[Bthomas]

Is there any reason you need the middle support? Could you perhaps have it built sturdy enough that it doesn't need it?

I know it was discussed a bit in earlier posts, but could that work for you? I'm sure it's doable with big enough, quality timber. Might be expensive, but stands usually are.

I've really only found one place so far that custom builds stands that I like the look of and I've already asked and they won't build them without center support

 

[lite_rider]

sea water is 8lb a gallon not to mention all the rock rock and sand. glass will fail if it bends enough without proper supports, and lets not even talk about acrylic tanks....even worse.