new tank

[JonPhillips]

So, I just got off the phone with a local glass company because I thought it would be cost effective to build the sump myself. my stand is a weird dimension so I had her quote me a 43 x 10 x 12 tank which comes out to around 20g or so and she wants $118 plus tax. YIKES TRIKES and that didn't include and bracing or baffle pieces. What are your thoughts on this price? Ive only got 10 inches of width inside the stand so the store bought sumps won't fit I don't think. Not really keen on modifying the already flimsy stand either...

 

[JonPhillips]

If you don't want to drill the tank the Tunze Reef Pack is a great way to go on the filtration. The best tank I ever had was all Tunze 30 years ago!
Either T5 or LED lighting seems to be a good way to go with great results and lower energy costs.

All I hear about T5 is folks complaining about the heat...

 

[JonPhillips]

in modern reefing. google is your friend.
https://www.google.com/?ion=1&espv=2#q=melevsreef

and enemy.(fb)

thank you!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

http://melevsreef.com/category/articles/saltwater-newbie-guide

http://aqua-dreams.com/pages/saltwater-101

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-to-the-hobby-and-have-questions.9412/

http://fins.actwin.com/mirror/sbegin.html

 

[morpheas]

So, I just got off the phone with a local glass company because I thought it would be cost effective to build the sump myself. my stand is a weird dimension so I had her quote me a 43 x 10 x 12 tank which comes out to around 20g or so and she wants $118 plus tax. YIKES TRIKES and that didn't include and bracing or baffle pieces. What are your thoughts on this price? Ive only got 10 inches of width inside the stand so the store bought sumps won't fit I don't think. Not really keen on modifying the already flimsy stand either...

I had the same happen to me. I asked 5-6 places and they all asked for crazy prices. The cheapest one I found was $60 plus tax. At that point my cheap self took another way and went with cutting boards from walmart

 

[JonPhillips]

Then did you cut them to size? throw me a pic would you?

 

[morpheas]

When I get home I will. I have no sump pics. I pretty much used a jigsaw and cut them to size I wanted. Then used aquarium safe silicone from home depot and put them in place. I had a question if the plastic cutting board would adhere well on the glass with silicone and it did very well.

Only problem was that the last one (I have three) which is separating the return pump chamber and is seeing different water heights over the day is bowing a little but it doesn't matter since it's in the sump so no disaster can be caused. It has been going strong for 8 months now. In hindsight I would have put a brace on the top of it from the scrap board and it would have never bowed but it's ok the way it is.

The board was similar to this http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-12X18-Poly-Cutting-Board/13397991 but I paid like $6.80 or something.
All in all, I paid less than $20 for three boards and I had left over pieces for other things

 

[cmcoker]

So, I just got off the phone with a local glass company because I thought it would be cost effective to build the sump myself. my stand is a weird dimension so I had her quote me a 43 x 10 x 12 tank which comes out to around 20g or so and she wants $118 plus tax. YIKES TRIKES and that didn't include and bracing or baffle pieces. What are your thoughts on this price? Ive only got 10 inches of width inside the stand so the store bought sumps won't fit I don't think. Not really keen on modifying the already flimsy stand either...

How much room do you have around the stand? The sump doesn't HaVe to be under the tank. It could be next to it, hidden in another piece of furniture

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

hit the craigslist and find the local reefers, theres a club somewhere, we regularly have them for way under a hundred(and free) all done.
As a bonus they will likely have all the rest of the stuff to hook it up. and drink your beer while you install it and laugh at your pain like I do.
or be a glutton for punishment like me and may the first sump you ever own and enjoy the pain, like I do.

 

[morpheas]

Not really keen on modifying the already flimsy stand either...

I will tell you one thing from personal experience. Do not, I repeat, do NOT do anything until you are absolutely happy with your stand. It's one of the very few things that if you start wrong you can't do jack s**t about afterwards unless you do a major surgery.

Mine is shallow like yours and darn short. When I installed my sump I extended the floor of the stand with some 2x4 and plywood by about 6 inches. There was nothing I could do about the height and I have never been able to move easy under there and I'm pretty stuck right now. If I wanted to change it (which I desperately do) I would have to move the tank (yikes!).

One more reason is that you need to be absolutely sure that the stand you put you trust it to take the weight. There is nothing worst than planning for overflows no spillage etc etc and then one day coming home and finding the tank crumbled under it's own weight.

So, if you're not happy with it (hey you practically got it free!) then use it as a bookshelf and do yourself a favor and do what @saltyfilmfolks suggested. Get in touch with your local club and get a stand you trust and like (make sure it's tall and allows for easy access inside!).

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Do not, I repeat, do NOT do anything until you are absolutely happy with your stand.

Do not, I repeat, do NOT do anything until you are absolutely happy with your stand

!!!!!:mad:


Regrets, I have a few. That's one.
Solid advice.

 

[morpheas]

My next tank will be planned like @reefjunkieken it will even have space for a refrigerator! haha

 

[JonPhillips]

How much room do you have around the stand? The sump doesn't HaVe to be under the tank. It could be next to it, hidden in another piece of furniture

Like a boss. TBH I am hawking a bigger tank and would like to sump the 55. Don't really have room for sump unless its underneath. Plus, I really like hard plumbing for some reason...