Need... okay, want... a bigger sump.

TrojanScott · 03/02/2006, 10:19 AM

I have a 35 gallon EURO sump in my 180. It came with my setup, when I ordered. Pre plumbed, all that. Does the job. However, I want more water movement, more room for a bigger skimmer, more room to use part of it as a refugium, etc, etc. Here's my problem.... the doors on my stand are too small to move the current sump out, and obviously too small for anything larger to get in there. I'm a pretty firm believer in not tearing a tank down unless it's absolutely necessary. I don't want to stress fish, don't want to upset anything, and let's be real, it's 180 gallons! Just flat out impossible to move unless it's just about empty.

No, can't go through the back, it's against a wall, and only about 8 inches or so off it.

I don't NEED this, everything is okay, but of course, I always want to tinker and improve if possible.

Entropy · 03/02/2006, 10:48 AM

Can you take the side off the stand? Some stands just have two legs and are surrounded by sheathing (particle or plywood). If you could take off a side, you could slide the old sump out, and a new bigger sump in.

TrojanScott · 03/02/2006, 11:17 AM

I looked at that too Rich, and no way. I think my only option would be a complete tear down, which I honestly don't think I'd do, or have a smaller 10 gallon tank in there and connect it.

My sump now, I think the water level stays high because of all the crap in there. Filter sock, carbon, heater, float switch, skimmer w/ pump, temp probe, etc, etc! If I ever decided to screw with a CA reactor, I'd really be in trouble.

Entropy · 03/02/2006, 11:28 AM

Hmmm, yes it sounds like you would have to take the tank down. That would be the perfect time to redo the stand with side access though. Maybe a metal stand sheathed in wood. My tank is inwall so the entire back is completely open (the stand is actually bigger than the tank), so it is not an issue for me.

TrojanScott · 03/02/2006, 11:41 AM

My stand was expensive, I wouldn't redo it. It's made of mahogany, stained to match my flooring, (or close to it anyways). Cost me too much to even think of screwing it up or replacing!

Oh well, total tear down this summer maybe. I just hate doing it to the fish.

lfjewett · 03/02/2006, 11:53 AM

Your missing one option. shut off and empty the sump. Get a sawsall and destroy the sump ( hey it's the fun part ). Now for you new sump have one build in 2 parts. Each part can fit into your stand and are connected with 2 large bulkheads and a section of PVC pipe. Melevsreef.com has a good example of a sump built like this.

Entropy · 03/02/2006, 05:55 PM

That would probably work assuming there is enough access room to get a two piece sump of bigger size into the stand. It sounds like the access is to small to do this though.

PeeperKeeper · 03/03/2006, 04:29 PM

That's a great idea, lfjewett! I've had the same thoughts, wanting a bigger sump and to do a fuge, but I'm running into the same problems. For mine, I may not even have to take out the old sump, if it's possible to just put in the bulkheads while it's under there, although i think I could get mine out in one piece if I had to.

Entropy, he just said he can't get a bigger sump through the opening, but if it were in two pieces, it might work.

TrojanScott · 03/03/2006, 06:08 PM

The more I'm thinking about it, the more I may have to plan ahead. I'm getting MH lighting this summer. I have a chiller already, but have had no need for it. Just in case, I'm going to plumb the chiller through my wall and the chiller will rest outside on the side of the house.
Basically, I may need to move my tank to do all this anyways, so I'll just need to get a few buddies, and make a day out of it, get it all done right. Just not looking forward to it. I'll have to have the sump pre drilled and ready to hook up, ready to go. I've got planning to do, my wife's gonna hate me.

03/02/2006, 10:19 AM	#1
TrojanScott Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lake Forest, CA Posts: 2,229	Need... okay, want... a bigger sump. I have a 35 gallon EURO sump in my 180. It came with my setup, when I ordered. Pre plumbed, all that. Does the job. However, I want more water movement, more room for a bigger skimmer, more room to use part of it as a refugium, etc, etc. Here's my problem.... the doors on my stand are too small to move the current sump out, and obviously too small for anything larger to get in there. I'm a pretty firm believer in not tearing a tank down unless it's absolutely necessary. I don't want to stress fish, don't want to upset anything, and let's be real, it's 180 gallons! Just flat out impossible to move unless it's just about empty. No, can't go through the back, it's against a wall, and only about 8 inches or so off it. I don't NEED this, everything is okay, but of course, I always want to tinker and improve if possible.

03/02/2006, 10:48 AM	#2
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	Can you take the side off the stand? Some stands just have two legs and are surrounded by sheathing (particle or plywood). If you could take off a side, you could slide the old sump out, and a new bigger sump in. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

03/02/2006, 11:28 AM	#4
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	Hmmm, yes it sounds like you would have to take the tank down. That would be the perfect time to redo the stand with side access though. Maybe a metal stand sheathed in wood. My tank is inwall so the entire back is completely open (the stand is actually bigger than the tank), so it is not an issue for me. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

03/02/2006, 05:55 PM	#7
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	That would probably work assuming there is enough access room to get a two piece sump of bigger size into the stand. It sounds like the access is to small to do this though. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

03/02/2006, 11:17 AM	#3
TrojanScott Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lake Forest, CA Posts: 2,229	I looked at that too Rich, and no way. I think my only option would be a complete tear down, which I honestly don't think I'd do, or have a smaller 10 gallon tank in there and connect it. My sump now, I think the water level stays high because of all the crap in there. Filter sock, carbon, heater, float switch, skimmer w/ pump, temp probe, etc, etc! If I ever decided to screw with a CA reactor, I'd really be in trouble.

03/02/2006, 11:41 AM	#5
TrojanScott Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lake Forest, CA Posts: 2,229	My stand was expensive, I wouldn't redo it. It's made of mahogany, stained to match my flooring, (or close to it anyways). Cost me too much to even think of screwing it up or replacing! Oh well, total tear down this summer maybe. I just hate doing it to the fish.

03/02/2006, 11:53 AM	#6
lfjewett Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 275	Your missing one option. shut off and empty the sump. Get a sawsall and destroy the sump ( hey it's the fun part ). Now for you new sump have one build in 2 parts. Each part can fit into your stand and are connected with 2 large bulkheads and a section of PVC pipe. Melevsreef.com has a good example of a sump built like this.

03/03/2006, 04:29 PM	#8
PeeperKeeper Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: TX Posts: 60	That's a great idea, lfjewett! I've had the same thoughts, wanting a bigger sump and to do a fuge, but I'm running into the same problems. For mine, I may not even have to take out the old sump, if it's possible to just put in the bulkheads while it's under there, although i think I could get mine out in one piece if I had to. Entropy, he just said he can't get a bigger sump through the opening, but if it were in two pieces, it might work.

03/03/2006, 06:08 PM	#9
TrojanScott Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lake Forest, CA Posts: 2,229	The more I'm thinking about it, the more I may have to plan ahead. I'm getting MH lighting this summer. I have a chiller already, but have had no need for it. Just in case, I'm going to plumb the chiller through my wall and the chiller will rest outside on the side of the house. Basically, I may need to move my tank to do all this anyways, so I'll just need to get a few buddies, and make a day out of it, get it all done right. Just not looking forward to it. I'll have to have the sump pre drilled and ready to hook up, ready to go. I've got planning to do, my wife's gonna hate me.