Putting sump into tank?

[ScubaSkeets]

No. Not the way it sounds!

I have a 40 gallon Petco special that I have laying around. I am using a 27 gallon sump which fits inside the 40 gallon. So, I was thinking of placing the sump inside the petco tank. Then adding water to the sump to over flow into the 40 gallon, where the return pump would return the water to the DT. There's also enough room to add some live rock, or other goodies.
What do you guys think? If anything, it would add some gallons of water to the system, no?

 

[JCM]

Why not just use the 40g as a sump?

 

[ScubaSkeets]

Why not just use the 40g as a sump?

I guess because the sump has a dual filter sock holder and compartments

 

[tehmadreefer]

I’d bet the bottom wouldn’t support the weight of the 27g and craaacccckkkk

 

[ScubaSkeets]

I’d bet the bottom wouldn’t support the weight of the 27g and craaacccckkkk

Why not? What's the difference between that and filling the 40 gallon up with water, etc.?

 

[JCM]

Why not? What's the difference between that and filling the 40 gallon up with water, etc.?

The rim of the 27g is going to place that weight on a much smaller surface area in the 40g. Cracking is definitely a concern.

 

[ScubaSkeets]

The rim of the 27g is going to place that weight on a much smaller surface area in the 40g. Cracking is definitely a concern.

Good point. Thanks

 

[JCM]

You can find "sump kits" for the 40g pretty reasonably. Just silicone the pieces in.

 

[krash7172]

If the 27 isn't taller than the 40, you're fine structurally IMO. Not any more stress than adding a sump kit and live rock. The more water you put in the 40 will also make the 27 more buoyant.

 

[JCM]

If the 27 isn't taller than the 40, you're fine structurally IMO. Not any more stress than adding a sump kit and live rock. The more water you put in the 40 will also make the 27 more buoyant.

If the 27g had a completely flat bottom I would agree. It's probably rimmed though which means the weight is distributed over a small area that would magnify stress on the bottom of the 40g.

 

[krash7172]

It's safer than the large rocks commonly used which have very little area.

 

[ScubaSkeets]

If the 27 isn't taller than the 40, you're fine structurally IMO. Not any more stress than adding a sump kit and live rock. The more water you put in the 40 will also make the 27 more buoyant.

The first 2/3 of the sump is taller than the tank, but the last 1/3 is shorter

If the 27g had a completely flat bottom I would agree. It's probably rimmed though which means the weight is distributed over a small area that would magnify stress on the bottom of the 40g.

The bottom is indeed completely flat.

It's safer than the large rocks commonly used which have very little area.

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[aSaltyKlown]

Interesting idea and it looks good too.

I think it would be fine as is. However, if there is a real concern about the weight, you could always put some egg crate across the entire bottom or an ABS plastic sheet cut to fit.