Need expert advise on Monterey stand, to cut or not to cut.

Mustang67 · 03/13/2015, 09:52 AM

I have a Marineland 300DD tank and Monterey stand. Issue: My 75 gallon sump will not fit inside!

There are sliding doors on both sides of the stand, clearance is 17.5"
Width of the 75 Gallon sump is 18.5

Interior height of the stand is 25.5 inches. I need 30 inches due to skimmer.

I am planning on building a 12" in height base for the stand to raise the DT up.

Question, can I cut a square hole in the bottom of the stand so I can fit my sump inside? The 12inch base that I am building will be built out of 2x 2x12's all the way around with 3/4 plywood on the bottom of the base.

When I cut the hole in the sand there will still be about 10 to 14 inches left around the base of the Monterey stand.

I know this will most likely void the warranty of the stand, but will the stand and 12" base still be strong enough to support the weight of the tank?

dkeller_nc · 03/13/2015, 10:06 AM

While in theory cutting such a hole shouldn't substantially weaken the stand (presuming that you actually do have 10" left around the perimeter of the stand), I'd suggest that this is a bad plan simply to fit a taller skimmer and the 75g sump.

Were it me, I'd buy another skimmer, particularly since my preference would be to not increase the height of the tank above the floor (makes it hard to get into).

As far as fitting the sump into the stand, and presuming that you have the necessary woodworking skills, I'd cut out the two supports in the back of the stand, and replace them with removable ones that are carefully bolted in with stainless hardware. If you don't have the woodworking skills to do this, I'd consider using a different sump. Compromising the strength of a stand that's going to support 2500lbs + would be a bad day, indeed.

DivingTheWorld · 03/13/2015, 10:32 AM

Personally I wouldn't cut the stand because it would likely void the warranty and that's about the only redeeming quality of their stands. That and they're so short you can easily fit them through doorways...

I'd build a new stand. Spec out everything you're looking for in a sand, dimensions, door openings, etc. and just build your own. That's the only way to get a truly functional stand. You bought a 300 gallon aquarium, so why start compromising now with a smaller skimmer?

Mustang67 · 03/13/2015, 10:36 AM

I do have the woodworking skills, I am a bit slower then some, but I can do it. My issue is my skimmer, its a Regal 250SSS. So I would need 28 inches of clearance inside of the stand due to the skimmer. Where as the moment I only have 25. I will look into replacing the skimmer and see what I can find @ BRS.

If I find another skimmer that fits and I am happy with, then I can take your suggestion on removing those 2 supports and replacing them using stainless hardware.

Mustang67 · 03/13/2015, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DivingTheWorld

Personally I wouldn't cut the stand because it would likely void the warranty and that's about the only redeeming quality of their stands. That and they're so short you can easily fit them through doorways...

I'd build a new stand. Spec out everything you're looking for in a sand, dimensions, door openings, etc. and just build your own. That's the only way to get a truly functional stand. You bought a 300 gallon aquarium, so why start compromising now with a smaller skimmer?

I have the Red Ok Monterey matching stand and canopy which I really, really like. So I want to keep it, plus I can not return it at this point. In regard to the skimmer, they all seem to be 25" H. I do not want to skimp out on my skimmer, I would rather over shoot and not have to worry so much about Bio Load.... Wow what a head ache I now have...

dkeller_nc · 03/13/2015, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mustang67

I have the Red Ok Monterey matching stand and canopy which I really, really like. So I want to keep it, plus I can not return it at this point. In regard to the skimmer, they all seem to be 25" H. I do not want to skimp out on my skimmer, I would rather over shoot and not have to worry so much about Bio Load.... Wow what a head ache I now have...

Nah - There's tons of 8" skimmers out there that would work. Just one example - the Reef Octopus 225INT 8". The height is 23.4". Considering that there will be more clearance under the 300DD tank than the actual stand height, wouldn't that work?

Another idea would be to use two smaller skimmers. While the capital expense is larger, going this route is actually more power efficient, and has more skimming capacity than one larger skimmer.

Mustang67 · 03/13/2015, 10:57 AM

I see that now, I also see that there is a Skimz Monzter SM253?

Reading up now.... and feeling a little bit better.

03/13/2015, 09:52 AM	#1
Mustang67 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Utica, NY Posts: 245	Need expert advise on Monterey stand, to cut or not to cut. I have a Marineland 300DD tank and Monterey stand. Issue: My 75 gallon sump will not fit inside! There are sliding doors on both sides of the stand, clearance is 17.5" Width of the 75 Gallon sump is 18.5 Interior height of the stand is 25.5 inches. I need 30 inches due to skimmer. I am planning on building a 12" in height base for the stand to raise the DT up. Question, can I cut a square hole in the bottom of the stand so I can fit my sump inside? The 12inch base that I am building will be built out of 2x 2x12's all the way around with 3/4 plywood on the bottom of the base. When I cut the hole in the sand there will still be about 10 to 14 inches left around the base of the Monterey stand. I know this will most likely void the warranty of the stand, but will the stand and 12" base still be strong enough to support the weight of the tank?

03/13/2015, 10:06 AM	#2
dkeller_nc Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Central NC Posts: 5,062	While in theory cutting such a hole shouldn't substantially weaken the stand (presuming that you actually do have 10" left around the perimeter of the stand), I'd suggest that this is a bad plan simply to fit a taller skimmer and the 75g sump. Were it me, I'd buy another skimmer, particularly since my preference would be to not increase the height of the tank above the floor (makes it hard to get into). As far as fitting the sump into the stand, and presuming that you have the necessary woodworking skills, I'd cut out the two supports in the back of the stand, and replace them with removable ones that are carefully bolted in with stainless hardware. If you don't have the woodworking skills to do this, I'd consider using a different sump. Compromising the strength of a stand that's going to support 2500lbs + would be a bad day, indeed.

03/13/2015, 10:32 AM	#3
DivingTheWorld Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: San Ramon, CA Posts: 1,963	Personally I wouldn't cut the stand because it would likely void the warranty and that's about the only redeeming quality of their stands. That and they're so short you can easily fit them through doorways... I'd build a new stand. Spec out everything you're looking for in a sand, dimensions, door openings, etc. and just build your own. That's the only way to get a truly functional stand. You bought a 300 gallon aquarium, so why start compromising now with a smaller skimmer?

03/13/2015, 10:36 AM	#4
Mustang67 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Utica, NY Posts: 245	I do have the woodworking skills, I am a bit slower then some, but I can do it. My issue is my skimmer, its a Regal 250SSS. So I would need 28 inches of clearance inside of the stand due to the skimmer. Where as the moment I only have 25. I will look into replacing the skimmer and see what I can find @ BRS. If I find another skimmer that fits and I am happy with, then I can take your suggestion on removing those 2 supports and replacing them using stainless hardware.

03/13/2015, 10:57 AM	#7
Mustang67 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Utica, NY Posts: 245	I see that now, I also see that there is a Skimz Monzter SM253? Reading up now.... and feeling a little bit better.