Plastic container as sump?

[cheucklate]

I finally found a square container that will fit in my cube stand.

http://www.target.com/p/sterilite-20...t_adv_xasd0002

My question is do these plastic sump designs have issues with leaking? If I were to stack two of them would that help?

Thanks

[bmrigs]

I have seen people use these containers for sumps with no issues. How would set it up inside? Multiple chambers?

[Reef Ruler]

The only thing I've heard about using plastic sumps is over a long period time the weight of the water will force the container to bow out to the point it protrudes out of the stand. I've heard of a couple people actually cracking them trying to shove and bend in back into shape.

[dreaddinit]

I am looking for a similar solution as I'm 2 inches to short for a cheap 10 Gallon. Frustration at best.

[scooter31707]

My buddy uses a Rubbermaid cooler for about 2.5 years so far.

[A1t2o]

Make sure you use one that is food grade or it will leech toxins into your tank. I looked into a plastic container, but with the $1 per gallon sales and space requirements, it was just so much easier to go with a glass tank.

[whosurcaddie]

I used one for a long time, actually it was two connected by bulkheads serving as a two chamber sump. Like others have said it needs to be food safe to make sure its food safe it will be marked HDPE on the bottom. You are also going to have to figure out a way to keep bubbles from getting back to the display. It will work though without a doubt.

[ghellin]

I have seen a few 5 gallon bucket sumps that worked well for a few nano tanks. Big plastic tubs like those will bow as stated above and over time their integrity will most likely diminish. Brute does make 10 gallon cans that would support the water with zero issues. You can also drill them and use a uni-seal if needed.

http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/ou...Fc2RHwodX90Jlg

[jeperry3]

I've used a clear version of that tub as a sump for over 15 years for a 65 gallon DT. Replaced once because a heater burned through. I use a smaller container raised on PVC pieces as a bubble trap/Skimmer section. They do get brittle and bow out over time. That said, I'm about to upgrade to a 135 and will be making my sump from a glass aquarium.

[CStrickland]

food-grade isn't a thing.
HDPE is considered safer than PVC, but the recycling codes aren't an indication of toxicity.

[MondoBongo]

i used a large rubbermaid as a sump for a couple years. i didn't start with a sump, and by the time i decided to add one, draining the tank to move it off the stand and install a sump wasn't really an option.

bowing can be a bit of an issue. i chose the thickest plastic i could find, and it wasn't bad. you will just have to give it a try to see if the container will properly hold the water.

i didn't make any chambers, or any bubble traps. most of the time it wasn't an issue, but mine was longer than that. so there was more room for the turbulence and bubbles to settle.

didn't have any issues i could directly attribute to it, and it worked well enough for me for quite a long time.

wasn't pretty, but it got the job done:

[Isaac01]

My buddy just bought a similar bin at home depot and he tried to fill it with water....said it bowed out real bad. I think petco 8s do g the 1dollor a gallon tank sale right now that might be worth looking into.Also lowes in my area will cut acrilic or glass that you buy from them to make chambers for your sump.

[heathlindner25]

Originally Posted by CStrickland

food-grade isn't a thing.
HDPE is considered safer than PVC, but the recycling codes aren't an indication of toxicity.

is it not worth the well being of my livestock to just buy food safe products... I just don't think it's worth the risk when I know certain plastics leach......... or you can use an unknown plastic and when your tank crashes you can try to figure it out
Always good to limit your variables

[heathlindner25]

Originally Posted by MondoBongo

i used a large rubbermaid as a sump for a couple years. i didn't start with a sump, and by the time i decided to add one, draining the tank to move it off the stand and install a sump wasn't really an option.

bowing can be a bit of an issue. i chose the thickest plastic i could find, and it wasn't bad. you will just have to give it a try to see if the container will properly hold the water.

i didn't make any chambers, or any bubble traps. most of the time it wasn't an issue, but mine was longer than that. so there was more room for the turbulence and bubbles to settle.

didn't have any issues i could directly attribute to it, and it worked well enough for me for quite a long time.

wasn't pretty, but it got the job done:

This would not pass " the wife test" .....
It looks like you're putting a little stress on that Center brace...lol

[Tarawa]

I used a large rubbermaid tote for a year, kept on leaking so I threw in a PVC pond liner worked great after that.

[CStrickland]

I wonder if it would be worth bracing it up with wood? Like a couple strips of plywood to make a little rack around it.

Originally Posted by heathlindner25

is it not worth the well being of my livestock to just buy food safe products... I just don't think it's worth the risk when I know certain plastics leach......... or you can use an unknown plastic and when your tank crashes you can try to figure it out

Are you talking about only buying plastic with a "food safe" stamp from the National Sanitation Foundation, or are you relying on the number codes for recycling?

The NSF is a 3rd party certification that suppliers pay for. It doesn't mean the plastic won't ever leach anything. For example, diff plastics are ok for wrapping cold things but unsafe to microwave, and meat wrappers must hold up to post-packaging irradiation. Further, absence of the stamp doesn't indicate danger as it would be wasteful for a company to pay the NSF to certify their plastic bins not meant for food. Iirc BPAs and pthalates are acceptable in NSF certified food safe plastics, if those hormone disrupters are the sort of "toxin" to which you refer.

Recycling codes indicate what sort of plastic is used. Some are less likely to contain certain things. People who go by that consider #3 to be "avoid at all costs." Was it difficult to plumb your tank without using any PVC?

[heathlindner25]

Originally Posted by CStrickland

I wonder if it would be worth bracing it up with wood? Like a couple strips of plywood to make a little rack around it.


Are you talking about only buying plastic with a "food safe" stamp from the National Sanitation Foundation, or are you relying on the number codes for recycling?

The NSF is a 3rd party certification that suppliers pay for. It doesn't mean the plastic won't ever leach anything. For example, diff plastics are ok for wrapping cold things but unsafe to microwave, and meat wrappers must hold up to post-packaging irradiation. Further, absence of the stamp doesn't indicate danger as it would be wasteful for a company to pay the NSF to certify their plastic bins not meant for food. Iirc BPAs and pthalates are acceptable in NSF certified food safe plastics, if those hormone disrupters are the sort of "toxin" to which you refer.

Recycling codes indicate what sort of plastic is used. Some are less likely to contain certain things. People who go by that consider #3 to be "avoid at all costs." Was it difficult to plumb your tank without using any PVC?

I am NOT talking about recycled plastic, I am talking about food grade plastic used in the food industry

[CStrickland]

Originally Posted by heathlindner25

I am NOT talking about recycled plastic, I am talking about food grade plastic used in the food industry

what did you use for pipes?
was it hard to find BPA and pthalate free?

[heathlindner25]

I don't have any pipes do not have sumps on my 40 breeder or 65.... but I do use food grade containers for my mixing stations....brutes
You might be very surprised to hear... But sometimes the less filtration the better

[mkobu]

My suggestion is for about the same $$ find a glass shop or a plastic shop and get some acrylic and make a real sump... Usually the pieces you need are considered scrap so cheap and they sell the proper acrylic cement needed.... I've been able to make sumps for around $50 or less ...

[MondoBongo]

Originally Posted by heathlindner25

This would not pass " the wife test" .....
It looks like you're putting a little stress on that Center brace...lol

It didn't bow that bad. Can't tell from the shot, but it wasn't touching. I had about 1/2" on either side.

My stand had doors on it. So it didn't need to pass the wife test. Just shut the doors and you can't even see it.

[CStrickland]

Originally Posted by heathlindner25

I don't have any pipes do not have sumps on my 40 breeder or 65.... but I do use food grade containers for my mixing stations....brutes
You might be very surprised to hear... But sometimes the less filtration the better

Well, that would make it easier, though you'd be surprised what would surprise me. This being a thread about sumps, the point stands that it seems illogical to fret a lot about the plastic of the sump itself, and then plumb the system with PVC.

Again, NSF food-grade does not mean non-leaching. I think Brute is making some BPA-free bins now, but I haven't seen any discussion of plasticizers. The phthalate class of plasticizers would worry me more than anything else, and I don't think the NSF concerns itself with them.

The basic point is "food safe" is not a reliable indicator of safety / danger in a reef tank. Some of the plastics that NSF says are safe for some things, arent for others. A plastic for storing ice cubes may not be rated for UV exposure, or heat. Certain plasticizers have been phased out of hospital applications because of their hormone effects (ie. women pregnant with male fetuses) but would be safe for adults.

IMO a person setting up a tank would be far better served to look to experienced reefers with thriving long-term tanks. The vast majority of tanks are plumbed with PVC, so even though it's the "worst" number it's probs not going to hurt a tank. Likewise, the vast majority of reefers are using cans without NSF stamp. It's likely money and hassle wasted for a false sense of security.

[Cliving1]

Originally Posted by CStrickland

Again, NSF food-grade does not mean non-leaching. I think Brute is making some BPA-free bins now, but I haven't seen any discussion of plasticizers. The phthalate class of plasticizers would worry me more than anything else, and I don't think the NSF concerns itself with them.

Well of course NSF rated food grade containters does not mean non-leaching! It means you can safely store dry products in those containers for emergency purposes.

[heathlindner25]

My false sense of securitys keep my tank from crashing...lol