Removing rim on 40 breeder sump

rjjr1963 · 02/07/2016, 10:11 PM

I'd like to remove the rim on a 40 gallon breeder to use as a sump. I'll be adding three baffles so the widest span will be about 18". Would this be safe to do considering the additional support of the baffles?

TimeConsumer · 02/07/2016, 10:26 PM

I removed the trim on a 40 breeder and filled it with water (testing for leaks) without any baffles, it bowed considerably, but did not break. Later I added baffles and my widest section was about 14" and completely secure. I'm sure you're fine.

rjjr1963 · 02/07/2016, 11:51 PM

How difficult was it to remove the trim? Any pointers?

doradosteve · 02/08/2016, 03:56 AM

I don't envision a problem

RocketEngineer · 02/08/2016, 09:03 AM

Why do you want to remove it? I've had two 40B sumps and never had a need to remove the trim. I actually use it by drilling holes int the plastic to mount stuff. Seems like more trouble than its worth to me.

thelawnwrangler · 02/08/2016, 09:05 AM

Seems like an undefined risk with no real upside (in my opinion)

I wouldn't do it, but that opinion isn't backed by science or experience.

Ron Reefman · 02/08/2016, 09:51 AM

I wonder why you want to remove the rim as well? If it has a center brace that is in the way, just remove the brace and leave the rest of the rim as it will help slightly.

rjjr1963 · 02/08/2016, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RocketEngineer

Why do you want to remove it? I've had two 40B sumps and never had a need to remove the trim. I actually use it by drilling holes int the plastic to mount stuff. Seems like more trouble than its worth to me.

I was concerned that the lip on the inside would be a collection point for salt creep and other debris. I never though about the lip being a mounting point but that makes sense.

RocketEngineer · 02/08/2016, 10:36 AM

Mine collects a small amount of salt creep but I just wipe it off with a damp paper towel maybe once or twice a year. If you are having so much splashing that its a real problem, I would fix that before I worried about the trim.

Another thing to consider is that the plastic trim protects the edge of the tank when you're moving equipment around for maintenance. I know I bump the rim a lot getting my skimmer out for its yearly cleaning and would rather the plastic was there vs a glass edge.

rjjr1963 · 02/08/2016, 11:08 AM

I haven't had a saltwater tank in 25 years and my new tank won't be here for a couple more weeks so it's not a problem at this point. I'm simply collecting advice to make an informed decision. If my ideas seem crazy please bear with me. My sump back then was a home made trickle filter with bio balls and salt creep was a real problem. I'm using a very simple sump and Berlin system this time so maybe it won't be an issue.

TimeConsumer · 02/08/2016, 05:05 PM

I can't give you any advice on how to remove the trim as mine was mostly done for me. I bought it off a fish-breeder who had a ton of tanks lying around his backyard. The trim had broken apart enough that it wasn't providing any structural integrity anymore and there was no center brace.

Koop · 02/08/2016, 08:42 PM

It is so small. Why remove it?

02/07/2016, 10:11 PM	#1
rjjr1963 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Nebraska/Missouri Posts: 770	Removing rim on 40 breeder sump I'd like to remove the rim on a 40 gallon breeder to use as a sump. I'll be adding three baffles so the widest span will be about 18". Would this be safe to do considering the additional support of the baffles? __________________ 72x24x16 115 gallon under construction Current Tank Info: 40 gallon reef

02/07/2016, 10:26 PM	#2
TimeConsumer Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Orleans, La Posts: 1,919	I removed the trim on a 40 breeder and filled it with water (testing for leaks) without any baffles, it bowed considerably, but did not break. Later I added baffles and my widest section was about 14" and completely secure. I'm sure you're fine. __________________ Steve - Retired from reefing, for now.

02/07/2016, 11:51 PM	#3
rjjr1963 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Nebraska/Missouri Posts: 770	How difficult was it to remove the trim? Any pointers? __________________ 72x24x16 115 gallon under construction Current Tank Info: 40 gallon reef

02/08/2016, 09:03 AM	#5
RocketEngineer Space is big. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Maryland Eastern Shore Posts: 3,226	Why do you want to remove it? I've had two 40B sumps and never had a need to remove the trim. I actually use it by drilling holes int the plastic to mount stuff. Seems like more trouble than its worth to me. __________________ -RocketEngineer "Knowledge is what you get when you read the directions, experience is what you get when you don't." - Unknown Current Tank Info: None Currently

02/08/2016, 09:51 AM	#7
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	I wonder why you want to remove the rim as well? If it has a center brace that is in the way, just remove the brace and leave the rest of the rim as it will help slightly. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

02/08/2016, 03:56 AM	#4
doradosteve Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Palm Beach Posts: 145	I don't envision a problem

02/08/2016, 09:05 AM	#6
thelawnwrangler Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 863	Seems like an undefined risk with no real upside (in my opinion) I wouldn't do it, but that opinion isn't backed by science or experience.

02/08/2016, 10:36 AM	#9
RocketEngineer Space is big. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Maryland Eastern Shore Posts: 3,226	Mine collects a small amount of salt creep but I just wipe it off with a damp paper towel maybe once or twice a year. If you are having so much splashing that its a real problem, I would fix that before I worried about the trim. Another thing to consider is that the plastic trim protects the edge of the tank when you're moving equipment around for maintenance. I know I bump the rim a lot getting my skimmer out for its yearly cleaning and would rather the plastic was there vs a glass edge. __________________ -RocketEngineer "Knowledge is what you get when you read the directions, experience is what you get when you don't." - Unknown Current Tank Info: None Currently

02/08/2016, 11:08 AM	#10
rjjr1963 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Nebraska/Missouri Posts: 770	I haven't had a saltwater tank in 25 years and my new tank won't be here for a couple more weeks so it's not a problem at this point. I'm simply collecting advice to make an informed decision. If my ideas seem crazy please bear with me. My sump back then was a home made trickle filter with bio balls and salt creep was a real problem. I'm using a very simple sump and Berlin system this time so maybe it won't be an issue. __________________ 72x24x16 115 gallon under construction Current Tank Info: 40 gallon reef

02/08/2016, 05:05 PM	#11
TimeConsumer Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Orleans, La Posts: 1,919	I can't give you any advice on how to remove the trim as mine was mostly done for me. I bought it off a fish-breeder who had a ton of tanks lying around his backyard. The trim had broken apart enough that it wasn't providing any structural integrity anymore and there was no center brace. __________________ Steve - Retired from reefing, for now.

02/08/2016, 08:42 PM	#12
Koop Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Madison, VA Posts: 79	It is so small. Why remove it?