Guest Kimo December 17, 2002 Share December 17, 2002 I am setting up my 180 SPS tank this week, but I am still in need of a sump. I would like to get an acrylic sump, but due to cost and time I need to set up a temporary solution - SO Have any of you sucessfully set up a sump with an exzternal return pump using a rubbermaid container (or similar)? Where would I find a suitable container? Do you have any pics? Any information would be very helpful. Thanks! Jamie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty December 17, 2002 Share December 17, 2002 You can get rubbermaid tubs at home depot, target, walmart, etc, etc. The biggest drawback of a rubbermaid tub of any size is it bows out a lot when filled. You can get a more rigid storage container, but they don't come as big as rubbermaid tubs. I think you can get rubbermaid tubs for farming applications that are heavier, but they tend to be larger - 100g +. I would check the boards and the newspaper. Used acrylic and glass tanks pop up pretty regularly in the 40g range. If you're not in a huge hurry check them out. Hope this helps. Marty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cbo December 17, 2002 Share December 17, 2002 I recently built an acrylic sump using scrap acrylic from ACME plastics in alexandria. It was not as cheap as I expected, but still pretty good. They charge around $2 per pound for the scrap stuff. I looked around and found some big pieces of .25 inch clear, and got the weld-on glue for a good price. I think I got 25 lbs of plastic and the $14.99 glue, he made me a deal and I think I payed $30, plus I still have lots of acylic left over. If you decide to go that route I can make some recommendations on glueing or you can contact prevyet on this board, he has done alot of acrylic work, as well as just about everything else it seems too. cbo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quazi December 17, 2002 Share December 17, 2002 Go to TRT. They have some large setups using rubbermaid tubs. They do not sell the tubs, but if you want to look at how it is done, that is a good place to look. They sell the fittings you need to implement the tub as a sump/'fuge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coral Hind December 17, 2002 Share December 17, 2002 I have seen several members tanks w/ rubbermaid sumps. I have a 33gal rubber maid refugium on my tank and it works great. I made a hood from scrap 1x6's and plywood to hold the lights. This sits down around the top lip and keeps it from bowing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelg December 18, 2002 Share December 18, 2002 I think what prevyet suggested, or some other form of re-inforcement (such as stacking 2 tubs) would prevent failure problems from bowing. Some sort of frame for it..... Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty December 18, 2002 Share December 18, 2002 I think the frame idea would work great for a fuge where you have space. But for a sump, usually it's crammed/shoved/shoe-horned under the stand and space is a premium. Not sure if a bulky frame would fit. Great idea tho. Those of you fortunate enough to have space or a 'fish room' have a little more leeway. I'll try to plan that into my next house. :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelg December 18, 2002 Share December 18, 2002 As yes- those plans of the next house. I think of them frequently Pez has given me a good model to follow..... Though I hope to go through the floor into the basement ) thus keeping the tank in a main room... Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Grenier December 18, 2002 Share December 18, 2002 Ah yes, the "next house" plans. I'll do as quazi points-out and have one of those huge feeding-trough type sumps like in the middle of the floor in TRT. It will be filled with a DSB and several different macros and mangroves and behind that I'll have partridge in a pear tree. ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coral Hind December 18, 2002 Share December 18, 2002 I have seen a members fish room that had these tubs with a bungee cord for support in the middle. It seemed liked it worked fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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