Need advice on a new build.

[Hugh Mann]

Have you tried contacting any independent carpenters? They might be able to build something more to your specifications.
150 gallon tank is heavy, but not insanely heavy.

 

[Bthomas]

Here you go


This has c Did u have to slide the sump in through the side?

Here you go

Did u have to slide your sump in through the side or did it fit through the front with the center brace?

 

[lite_rider]

Did u have to slide your sump in through the side or did it fit through the front with the center brace?

it went in from the top on the original build over 6 yrs ago. these were the most recent pictures 4 month ago when the 240 gallon was exchanged for a shorter 150gallon. wife couldnt reach the bottom of the old 240 to clean or move coral when needed

 

[Bthomas]

it went in from the top on the original build over 6 yrs ago. these were the most recent pictures 4 month ago when the 240 gallon was exchanged for a shorter 150gallon. wife couldnt reach the bottom of the old 240 to clean or move coral when needed

You've never had to remove the sump in 6 years?
I just worry about the sump springing a leak or having to replace it for some reason

 

[lite_rider]

no reason to replace it, acrylic seals are more dependable than silicone on glass as long as the floor of the water pan is flat and well supported, not to mention its not going to be full of water to the brim so it wont be under as large a constant stress

 

[Bthomas]

no reason to replace it, acrylic seals are more dependable than silicone on glass as long as the floor of the water pan is flat and well supported, not to mention its not going to be full of water to the brim so it wont be under as large a constant stress

Where did you get your sump?

 

[JCTReefer]

Steel is always and option!! I built mine out of 3 inch steel tubing. Powder coated black. I went with 1/4 inch wall thickness. Just for the very reason of not wanting a center support. I also wanted open access to the sump. The front side is completely open to the floor. This is for a 210. I also opted for multiple leveling feet. Each rated for 5,500lbs a piece. There’s a total of 9 feet. The 1/4 inch wall thickness was a bit of overkill. I thought of using 2 inch tubing in 1/4, but it’s strength is quite a bit less when figuring a point load. I will say it is fairly heavy at over 300lbs. If you put a point load of 1,000lbs right in the middle of one of the long/horizontal spans, you’d have roughly a deflection of 0.0159". Then add in the back span and deflection would be half of that. So .00795”.... And there will never be that much weight in the middle. Not even close. So over engineering is always an option for easy access!!!! I’ll skin it out at some point to cover the stand. Haha!

 

[lite_rider]

Where did you get your sump?

Top Shelf Aquatics

 

[ReefBeta]

I bought my setup with tank and stand as a bundle, 180 gallons. The stand has two center brace. The center brace is removable, but only when the tank is empty. That's how I got the sump into the stand.

If later down the road I have to take the sump out, like if it breaks, I will have to empty out the tank, take out the rock, which I cemented into couple big pieces, then remove the center brace and replace the sump. It would be lots of work but can probably be done within half a day if everything was prepared beforehand.