rubbermaid sump questions

grtmmt · 12/24/2011, 08:44 AM

I am moving to a rubbermaid sump for my 155 gallon reef tank, I bought the 110 gallon rubbermaid tub from tractor supply. It has a small brash bulkhead at the bottom, my question is should I replace it? If it is safe will this leak, do I need to seal the seams?
thanks

ecupcar · 12/24/2011, 08:49 AM

I didnt change mine, but wish i would have. After about 2 years, i am noticing some salt creep around it. My vote is change it.

Lorenz725 · 12/24/2011, 08:51 AM

I changed mine and I am happy I did I think it will work but you have a chance to do it now.

grtmmt · 12/24/2011, 08:53 AM

thanks guys, did you seal yours as well? Do you have pictures of your setups?

rezaktp · 12/24/2011, 09:45 AM

Definetly change it out now when you have the chance. You will have to cut off the tabs on the inside so the new reef style bulkhead can seal flush. These you can just sand off with a low grit# sandbaber on a sander or with a flush cut saw.

amstar · 12/26/2011, 10:26 AM

Gald you asked this question. Just got the 100 gallon and 50 gallon rubbermaids for my new sumps.

Once you "sand" these off... did you just use the bulkhead like you would on anything else.. just tighten it down, or did you use any sealant ont the gasket/bulkhead itself?

Also if your pump has 1 1/2" inlet what size bulk head would you use?

rezaktp · 12/26/2011, 11:36 AM

Just used a regular bulkhead sized to match the pump inlet.

amstar · 12/26/2011, 11:41 AM

thats what I was thinking/hoping.

I have seen where some have capped the bulkhead off at the bottom of the rubbermaid sump then drilled new holes and put bulkheads up higher? any advantages to that? reasoning behind it?

Spartan · 12/26/2011, 01:25 PM

The fitting that comes with the rubber maid tanks tends to leak. I have a 100g and a 300g. I've done it both ways - The 100 I drilled out the original hole to take 2" bulkhead, sealed w silicon. Has not leaked a bit in 7 years. The 300g I kept the fitting but sealed it over w silicon. Has done fine.

12/24/2011, 08:44 AM	#1
grtmmt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Va Posts: 115	rubbermaid sump questions I am moving to a rubbermaid sump for my 155 gallon reef tank, I bought the 110 gallon rubbermaid tub from tractor supply. It has a small brash bulkhead at the bottom, my question is should I replace it? If it is safe will this leak, do I need to seal the seams? thanks __________________ tank: 155 gallon bowfront mixed reef Current Tank Info: 155 gallon bowfront

12/24/2011, 08:51 AM	#3
Lorenz725 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 942	I changed mine and I am happy I did I think it will work but you have a chance to do it now. __________________ Current tank info: 150 gallon RR 6 foot mixed reef, 3 250 W radium, 100 gallon Rubbermaid basement sump. Octopus 300 pro skimmer, 29 gallon fuge with dragons breath, cheato, and mangroves. 5.5 gallon AIO mixed reef, 2 18 w T5HO, built in fuge with cheato and dragons breath.

12/24/2011, 08:53 AM	#4
grtmmt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Va Posts: 115	thanks guys, did you seal yours as well? Do you have pictures of your setups? __________________ tank: 155 gallon bowfront mixed reef Current Tank Info: 155 gallon bowfront

12/24/2011, 09:45 AM	#5
rezaktp Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Gurnee, IL Posts: 1,407	Definetly change it out now when you have the chance. You will have to cut off the tabs on the inside so the new reef style bulkhead can seal flush. These you can just sand off with a low grit# sandbaber on a sander or with a flush cut saw. __________________ Happy Reefing! Current Tank Info: 180g. Reef w/8-80w t-5's, 70g. Rubbermaid basement sump w/10g. fuge, APEX, Reef Octopus SRO 2000 Skimmer, 1/3hp Aqualogic chiller, 57w Aqua Ultraviolet UV, BRS 2-part w/2-Drews Dosers, 4-MP40wES

12/26/2011, 11:36 AM	#7
rezaktp Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Gurnee, IL Posts: 1,407	Just used a regular bulkhead sized to match the pump inlet. __________________ Happy Reefing! Current Tank Info: 180g. Reef w/8-80w t-5's, 70g. Rubbermaid basement sump w/10g. fuge, APEX, Reef Octopus SRO 2000 Skimmer, 1/3hp Aqualogic chiller, 57w Aqua Ultraviolet UV, BRS 2-part w/2-Drews Dosers, 4-MP40wES

12/24/2011, 08:49 AM	#2
ecupcar Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Lenox, Il Posts: 174	I didnt change mine, but wish i would have. After about 2 years, i am noticing some salt creep around it. My vote is change it.

12/26/2011, 10:26 AM	#6
amstar Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Dayton Ohio Posts: 745	Gald you asked this question. Just got the 100 gallon and 50 gallon rubbermaids for my new sumps. Once you "sand" these off... did you just use the bulkhead like you would on anything else.. just tighten it down, or did you use any sealant ont the gasket/bulkhead itself? Also if your pump has 1 1/2" inlet what size bulk head would you use?

12/26/2011, 11:41 AM	#8
amstar Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Dayton Ohio Posts: 745	thats what I was thinking/hoping. I have seen where some have capped the bulkhead off at the bottom of the rubbermaid sump then drilled new holes and put bulkheads up higher? any advantages to that? reasoning behind it?

12/26/2011, 01:25 PM	#9
Spartan Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Western New York Posts: 705	The fitting that comes with the rubber maid tanks tends to leak. I have a 100g and a 300g. I've done it both ways - The 100 I drilled out the original hole to take 2" bulkhead, sealed w silicon. Has not leaked a bit in 7 years. The 300g I kept the fitting but sealed it over w silicon. Has done fine.

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