Stand height for 55 gal sump

[Gopi]

My plan to upgrade my reef without hubby getting too upset about the $$

-I'd like to build a new stand to suit a 75. I'm figuring 49x20x?? with 2 front doors, backless, and a side door.
-To save $, I'd like to replace my current 10gal DIY sump (2 chambers) with the 55 that is currently running. This way, I could have part of it be for ATO reservoir, return, skimmer/heater, and refugium. I'll leave several inches without water to accommodate backflow from power outages. I also want to place my skimmer inside the sump rather than HOB so if the cup overflows, I don't ruin the floor. (Sometimes it just goes crazy for no apparent reason...I hope I win that Tunze skimmer!)

How tall should the stand be to give enough headroom to work? I am a short woman (5'2) and I'd like to not have to upgrade my step stool to a full size ladder.

 

[Gopi]

Anyone?

 

[JMSKI333]

I would say you are going to want your stand to be at least 10" taller than the top of your tank. I have a 55 sump for my frag tanks and it is real hard to work on and I got like 6 inches I'd say. Ill get the exact measurements tomorrow for you.

You can save some total tank height by getting your 55 sump as close to the floor as possible. You might be able to even recess it in the floor of the stand itself to save you 4" or (standard 2x4 dimensions including plywood.)

 

[lemonyx]

Usually for the stand I would build It for the height of the DT for viewing, then figure out what size sump I can fit under there.

Also it depends on how the stand is built, doubling up of 2x4's in the corners or not, adding a brace in the middle (long tanks) as mentioned how you orient the cross pieces on the bottom, if you lay them down you'll gain about 3/4" enough to make a "trough" to catch some water before it hits the floor. Usually there is room at the ends of the stand that you can slide the sump thru.

Be careful how you orient the 2x4's on the end,(hard to explain) if you keep all the wood facing the same way, "wide" side facing you, then you can have a little wider sump, if not then you're limited to the size of the opening - for instance your dims of 49"x20"x?? the 20" is you're depth (front to back) with 2x4's as I mentioned the wide side facing you (when you look at it) you will have 17" of room between the uprights but if you turn the ends of the 2x4 so you have a "L" in the corners (the way I build my stands) about he widest sump you can put under is a 14"

hth

 

[lemonyx]

This pic shows the "L" shaped corner legs



If you double the cross pcs on top or used 2x6 you can slide the sump in from the front on this stand

This one will work, with the braced corner legs and top, you won't need a center brace and on the bottom just lay the 2x4's "flat" then add a pc of ply on top, seal it ad paint it, work like a tray to catch some water spill.


(not my pictures)
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/do-yourself-diy/167992-show-me-your-cool-tank-stand.html

 

[Gopi]

Thanks. I've been checking out a lot of threads and videos and started my build today. Using the 55 as a sump isn't vital but just cuz I have it already.